Just the Start
Industry initiatives and projects promoting sustainability
By Sharon Elaine Thompson
Tucson is always hectic, but this year, Eric Braunwart and his staff were unable to leave their booth even to get lunch. What really surprised Braunwart—the founder of Columbia Gem House in Vancouver, Washington, a leading supplier of responsibly sourced colored gems—was why they were so busy. “Ninety percent of the people came to us because of the way we do business, because they want jewelry to tell a positive story. It was a sea change,” he says.