SUSAN WHEELER DESIGN JEWELRY

Infographic of a gold ring with a large gemstone, featuring text on ethical sourcing: "Good Gold" (traceable, fairmined), "Recycled Diamonds," "Mined by a Woman," and "Cut in Country." Includes icons for peace, gender equality, responsible consumption, and economic growth.

Susan Wheeler's jewelry career is grounded in her over twenty years of experience as a jewelry designer. She is the founder of the non profit the Responsible Jewelry Transformative, the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference, co-founder Virtu Gem and an Advisor for the Fashion and Lifestyle Network; a joint initiative of the UN Office for Partnerships,  the Division for Sustainable Development Goals - UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the Fashion Impact Fund.

Susan Wheeler at the UN headquarters in New York holds an SDG sign that says "Gender Equality" with the number 5 and symbol, in front of a the SDG colorful wall displaying various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals icons.

Susan works with journalists, jewelry industry, governments, Universities, NGOs and civil society to amplify the voices of those impacted by jewelry globally. Creating avenues for equality for the most vulnerable mining communities, expanding environmental awareness and developing transformative relationships with people globally through jewelry. She believes that transparency and equity in the jewelry value chain is necessary to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking & Lecture Engagments

Susan Wheeler speaks at conferences internationally and is a lecturer on responsible jewelry. Past engagements include the World Bank International Conference, UN Women, New York Jewelry Week

Initiatives

Through the Responsible Jewelry Transformative (RJT) Susan has enacted initiatives to change the scape of the jewelry industry. The RJT has been awarded grants from the World Bank, partnered with Rotary International and has received sponsorship from companies and individuals in the Jewelry Industry making the RJT a leader in initiatives that have impact. The RJT is a member of the UN Women Generation Equality Coalition.

  • Marange Women’s Alliance is supported by the RJT. It is a community based organization in a Zimbabwe diamond mining community fighting for their human rights.

  • Virtu Gem launched during Covid to sustain the gemstone in Zambia, it is now a social enterprise operating in Zambia, Kenya and Malawi.

  • The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference, held annually since 2017 with international participation and attendance.

  • A pilot mining camp built in partnership with Rotary International, is a safe space for women miners in Kenya,

SUSAN WHEELER IN THE PRESS

• Rappaport Jewelry Connoisseur

• Vogue

• National Jeweler

• Wall Street Journal

• New York Times

• In Style

• The Jewellery Editor

• JCK

• Rappaport Jewelry Connoisseur • Vogue • National Jeweler • Wall Street Journal • New York Times • In Style • The Jewellery Editor • JCK