The two day programme is as follows:

SESSION 1

Introducing the Gold Principles Group
Saturday, January 17, 2026: 11:45 AM-12:45 PM CET
Location: Educational Hub

The Gold Principles Group (GPG) is a collaborative body uniting major participants in the global gold sector to promote responsible and sustainable practices, building on the Gold Industry Declaration of Responsibility and Sustainability Principles launched in 2022. It focuses on ESG (Environment, Social, Governance), sourcing, climate change and artisanal mining, with the aim of build trust and ensuring a transparent and ethical gold value chain from mine to market.

The session will explore learnings from the early evolution of the GPG, considering its potential contributions in the growth of the gold jewellery sector, and possible obstacles in will face.

The seminar will be moderated by Dave Knight, Sustainable Development and Human Rights Specialist at One Planet, and among the confirmed panellists are Gaetano Cavalieri, CIBJO President; John Mulligan, Head of Sustainability Strategy, World Gold Council, and the GPG convenor; and Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director, Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030.

SESSION 2

Managing risk and driving change in jewellery supply chains
Saturday, January 17, 2026: 2:30 PM-3:30 PM CET
Location: Palladio Theatre

Marking the imminent release of both CIBJO’s comprehensive ESG & Sustainability Reference Guide for the Jewellery Industry and version 2.0 of its Responsible Sourcing Blue Book and Toolkit, the session will explore the journey from building solid ethical business foundations, to allowing jewellery companies better manage the potential risks in their supply chains, and consider the possible wider impacts of their businesses and how they might contribute to positive social and environmental outcomes.

The seminar will be moderated by John Mulligan, President of the CIBJO Sustainability Development Commission and Head of Sustainability Strategy at the World Gold Council. Confirmed panellists include Vivien Johnston Glass, Sustainable Development Goals expert, World Gold Council; Francesca Manfredi, Head of Sustainable Innovation Watches & Jewellery, Kering; Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director, Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030; and Alice Vanni, CSR Director, Italpreziosi.

 

SESSION 3

Educating the next generation of jewellery buyers
Saturday, January 17, 2026: 3:45 PM-4:45 PM CET
Location: Palladio Theatre

The panel will examine how the jewellery industry can educate and engage the next generation of consumers, helping them buy with confidence and make informed decisions. As buyers approach jewellery with evolving expectations, the discussion will examine how knowledge around quality, pricing and long-term value directly shapes how consumers approach jewellery purchases. The panel will also address the impact of social media on consumer perception and spending habits alongside the growing importance of sustainability when buying jewellery. Through insights from industry leaders, this conversation will highlight how education, transparency and values-driven storytelling are shaping the future of jewellery consumption.

The seminar will be moderated by Kyle Roderick, Founder and Editor-in-Chief at BIJOUXreview.com. Confirmed panellists include Feriel Zerouki, President of the World Diamond Council; Melissa Wolfgang Amenc, Director at Golay Fils & Stahl; and Raluca Anghel, Head of External Affairs and Industry Relations at the Natural Diamond Council (NDC).

SESSION 4

The future for gem labs and gem reports in an AI environment
Saturday, January 17, 2025: 5:00 PM-6:00 PM CET
Location: Palladio Theatre

Artificial intelligence is set set to transform the way in which gemstones are identified and graded, and this will change the way in which gem labs operate. The seminar will examine these changes, both from a gemmological perspective, but also and on the way business is being done at present and on consumer confidence.

The seminar will be moderated by David Brough, Founder and Editor in Chief of Jewellery Outlook, supported by Lisa Koenigsberg, President of Initiatives in Arts & Culture. Confirmed panellists include David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies; Wuyi Wang, Vice President of Research and Development, Gemological Institute of America (GIA); Paul De Wachter, CEO of  HRD Antwerp; Daniel Nyfeler, Managing Director, Gübelin Gem Lab; Rebecca Foerster, President & CEO North America at Hearts on Fire.

 

SESSION 5

The way forward for natural diamonds
Sunday, January 18, 2025, 10:30 AM-11:30 AM CET
Location: Palladio Theatre

The panel will investigate the prospects for the natural diamond sector, as it navigates one of the most challenging and disruptive periods in its history, and will consider industry-wide strategies that need to be adopted so that the retains its tradition role as a market anchor, as well as it strength and leadership.

The session will be moderated by Avi Krawitz, Founder of The Diamond Press. Confirmed panellists include Rebecca Foerester, President & CEO North America of Hearts on Fire; Lea Retter, Managing Director of the Rapaport Group; Mahiar Borhanjoo, Chief Commercial Officer of the De Beers Group; Raluca Anghel, Head of External Affairs and Industry Relations of the  Natural Diamond Council (NDC); Ravi Bhansali, Managing Director, Rosy Blue, and Vice President of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC); and Raj Mehta, a Director of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030.

SESSION 6

What will happen to the diamond industry? What should you do about it?
A presentation by Martin Rapaport, President of the Rapaport Group
Sunday, January 18, 2025, 11:45 AM-12:45 PM CET

Location: Palladio Theatre

One carat and smaller diamonds are down in price 10 percent to 25 percent over the past year. Synthetics have taken over the near-gem market and also still hold about 50 percent of the U.S. engagement ring market. Sanctions and tariffs are restructuring the supply chain. De Beers is for sale. How will all this play out in 2026?

Martin Rapaport is optimistic. He believes the U.S .wealth effect driven by over $100 trillion of inheritances over the next 20 years will fuel the greatest market for luxury diamonds the world has ever seen. There will be excess demand for the best quality, rarest diamonds. 20 percent of diamonds will account for more than 80 percent of sales value. The future will belong to those that know how to create, market and sell luxury diamonds that make the world a better place.

Mr. Rapaport is a force within the global diamond industry. He is the Chairman of the Rapaport Group; founder of the Rapaport Price List; creator of RapNet, the largest trading platform in the industry; and founder of Rapaport Auctions, the largest recycler of diamonds in the world.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Martin and develop your strategic thinking for 2026.

 

SESSION 7

Is the coloured gemstone industry meeting its market potential?
Sunday, January 18, 2025, 2:30 PM-3:30 PM CET
Location: Educational Hub

With the diamond market under pressure, and soaring gold sending requiring jewellery manufacturers and traders to seek creative strategies in order to protect price points, the coloured gemstone sector should be in a particularly advantageous position. The panel will discuss whether the industry is meeting its current potential.

The panel discussion will be moderated by David Brough, Founder of Jewellery Outlook. Confirmed panellists include Damien Cody, President of the International Coloured Stone Association (ICA); Melissa Wolfgang Amenc, Director of Golay Fils & Stahl; Gianluca Maina, Chief Marketing Officer of Fura Gems; and Edward Johnston, Corporate Responsibility Director of Gemfields.

SESSION 8

Tracking and tracing gemstones, diamonds and jewellery with DNA-based physical tracers and blockchain technology

Sunday, January 18, 2025, 3:45 PM-4:45 PM CET
Location: Educational Hub

Daniel Nyfeler, Managing Director, Gübelin Gem Lab, will look at the significant challenges being faced by the global gemstone and jewellery industry in providing verifiable supply chain data on the origin and authenticity, where traditional methods of testing and documentation are vulnerable to counterfeiting and lack interoperability. 

He will present tracking and tracing technologies of provenance proof that leverage two core elements, which are the application of DNA-based, nanoscale physical tracers, and a secure blockchain platform. The resulting benefits, he will explain, go beyond traceability – enhancing supply chain risk management, ensuring compliance with evolving international regulations, and combatting counterfeiting.