A presentation by the CIBJO Pearl Commission at the CIBJO Congress focused on the need to promote a “nature-positive” message to help drive interest in pearl jewellery among younger generations.

“How do we make pearls attractive to customers in their 20s and 30s?” Pierre Falloud, co-founder of Onegemme, asked. “We need to talk to that generation.”

Traceability solutions for pearls will be required to raise standards in the provision of pearl jewellery to consumers and could potentially be delivered to retailers, Mr Falloud said.

Greater sustainability in pearl cultivation will also be needed to underpin the market’s future, he said. Impact-measurement pilot projects have already begun.

“We are confident that pearls are giving more than they are taking,” Mr Falloud said.

He also discussed the potential benefits of developing a digital product passport for pearls.

Jacques Christophe Branellec, CEO of Jewelmer, spoke of the importance of pursuing greater sustainability and protecting nature to safeguard the future of pearl cultivation.

Separately, the CIBJO Pearl Commission has held discussions with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) regarding the organization’s call to develop a grading document for pearls.

CIBJO Pearl Commission President Kenneth Scarratt, author of the Pearl Guide, said discussions were under way to prepare a grading system for freshwater cultured pearls.

“We will watch and wait and see how that turns out,” Mr Scarratt said.