During their early morning meeting on the opening day of the 2013 CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv, members of the CIBJO Board of Directors were visited by Jose W. Fernandez, the Assistant Secretary of State of the United States, who also is the American official overseeing chain of custody policy.

Mr. Fernandez explained his government’s position regarding the proactive role of the jewellery, precious metals, diamonds and gemstone industries in protecting the chain of custody, noting the United State’s continuing embargo on imports of rubies from Burma (Myanmar) and it support of a chain of custody initiative by the OECD.

CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri stressed the World Jewellery Confederation’s commitment to proper business practices, and urged that that U.S. Government include all representative groups active in the jewellery business, as it consults with industry bodies while formulating its position.

Photo Caption: CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri introducing Assistant Secretary of State Jose W. Fernandez to the CIBJO directors.

The 2013 CIBJO Congress has opened in Tel Aviv, Israel, before an audience of about 200, of which about 130 are delegates from national jewellery and gemstone associations from around the world, as well as representatives of international corporations and representative organisations operating in the industry.

CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri opened the annual event by emphasising the openness and transparency of the organisation’s meetings. “I have spoken a great deal over the years about the grass roots of the jewellery industry, for it is from there – and only from there – that CIBJO derives its authority,” he said. “It comes through our national association members, who bring under our umbrella literally hundreds of thousands of companies and individuals across the globe, and at all levels of the business.”

“We are an inclusive organisation. Our meetings are open. All interested parties are invited to participate and voice their opinion. And when a decision is taken, it is done so in the full light of day,” Dr. Cavalieri said.

CIBJO delegates give of their time generously and on a voluntary basis, Dr. Cavalieri stated. “They do this not for personal gain. Indeed many take time from their own businesses in order to contribute. They do so because of their love of the business, and because of their deeply held belief that our success is vested in a sense of fair play, and in the confidence that our consumers show in us and our products,” he stated.

Delivering a keynote speech was South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources Susan Shabangu. She said that one of her country’s aims in 2013, as Chair of the Kimberley Process, is to demonstrate its relevance. She said stakeholders should reaffirm their commitment to the diamond trade.

“We must all take diamonds forward, and ensure that they are not used to fuel conflicts and by rebels. We must conduct the KP’s business in an open way that leads to harmony. Diamonds must continue to play a critical role in Africa as it is a matter of life and death. We must also give a vision of the future for the generations to come. South Africa aims to contribute to the process to make diamonds relevant,” the South African minister stated.

Shabangu was followed by Zimbabwe’s Mines and Mining Minister Obert Mpofu who said that the jewellery industry in his country was in its infancy. “We call upon you to show interest in Zimbabwe’s diamond industry and to participate in its development.”

Andrei Abramov, Chief of the NGO section of ECOSOC, the United Nations Economic and Social Council to which CIBJO has been affiliated since 2006, said CIBJO has been working for many years to promote transparent sourcing and manufacturing. “You must look beyond what your industry is doing. Humankind is at a critical stage of development. There is enormous inequality and environmental degradation. We need new economic development models.

“CSR is critical. We need inclusive societies and new solutions. Many African countries rely on diamonds and gold and they are important to reduce poverty since many miners live in terrible conditions. We need new initiatives for artisanal mining,” Mr. Abramov said.

World Diamond Council President Eli Izhakoff, who also is CIBJO’s Honorary Life President, said the World Jewellery Confederation has elevated its position enormously in recent years, becoming an even more serious player in the global jewellery business. He also spoke about the importance of leadership and that CIBJO provides guidance on a wide range of issues.

“While a manager focuses on systems and structure, a leader focuses on people,” Mr. Izhakoff said. “Leaders do not simply define tasks; they assign purpose.”

“The entire CIBJO philosophy is based upon this,” Mr. Izhakoff continued. “The organisation does not impose nor enforce its rulings. It rather provides guidance and frameworks with specific end goals in sight. This is true in respect to the industry standards and accepted nomenclature contained in its Blue Books, as well as in its approach to ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, where the emphasis has been upon education.”

Shmuel Mordechai, the Controller of Diamonds at Israel’s Ministry of Economy welcomed the CIBJO delegates on behalf of the Israeli government. Also addressing the meeting was Tung Lai Margue, Head of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments of the European Union, who spoke the need of the jewellery industry to address chain of custody protection.

With only one week to go to the opening of the 2013 CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv on May 7, 2013, the seventh of the CIBJO commissions’ Special Reports has been released. Prepared by the CIBJO Pearl Commission, headed by Ken Scarratt, the report looks at the need to create nomenclature that is clearly understood across the cultural barriers.

In particular the report reviews the debate that took place last year regarding the use of the unqualified term “pearl.” Ultimately it was agreed that the word “pearl” is used without qualification within a commercial document, it can only refer to a natural pearl. Cultured and imitation pearls must always be preceded by the respective qualifiers “cultured” and “imitation.” However, it is recommended that, to avoid any confusion, even natural pearls should be labelled with the qualifier “natural” included.

The Pearl Special Report also states the intention of the Pearl Commission to bring to review at the congress a quick reference guide, which will summarize key elements of the extensive Blue Book.

To download a full copy of the report, please CLICK HERE

With less than two weeks to go to the opening of the 2013 CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv on May 7, 2013, the sixth of the CIBJO commissions’ Special Reports has been released. Prepared by the CIBJO Gemmological Commission, headed by Hanco Zwaan, the report discusses the often difficult task of collecting and collating information on technical issues, and then communicating it in ways that are understandable to a more general audience.

In particular, the report considers dilemmas associated with properly describing treated gemstones. Concerning red andesine, a variety of feldspar, it notes that the cost of proving that a stone it is not colour treated is restrictively high, and the methods that are used are destructive. Since most of the materials in the market are most probably treated, lab reports issued for red andesine gems should state that the authenticity of their colour is not determinable.

The report also discusses the recommendation of the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee that an additional category of “manufactured product” be provided to define glass-filled rubies in which the glass filling actually acts to hold the stone together.

To download a full copy of the report, please CLICK HERE

With two weeks to go to the opening of the 2013 CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv on May 7, 2013, the fifth of the CIBJO commissions’ Special Reports has been released. Prepared by the CIBJO Ethics Commission, headed by Cecilia Gardner, the report lays out a programme designed to advance the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility in the jewellery and gemstone sectors.

In the report, Ms. Gardner suggests that a Blue Book of general advertising standards may be a useful tool to assess the advertising used to promote the image of the industry and the products it sells. “Clear guidance from a well-known and respected standards-setting organisation will work towards the goal of creating a level playing field for all companies, and promote fair dealing with consumers. Furthermore, clear and general guidance will provide standards against which companies can judge the claims they make about their products,” she writes. A

lso proposed is a complaint mechanism designed to combat misleading representations of products, and also a failure to comply with Blue Book standards. “A mechanism could be developed within the structure of CIBJO to assess allegations of non-compliance, collect the substantiation that is available, and then take corrective actions by educating the company or individual who has acted in non-compliance,” Ms. Gardner writes.

To download a full copy of the report, please CLICK HERE

With three weeks to go to the opening of the 2013 CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv on May 7, 2013, the fourth of the CIBJO commissions’ Special Reports has been released. Prepared by the CIBJO Diamond Commission, headed by Udi Sheintal, the report considers the ethical considerations of disclosure in light of recent technological developments, and also the need to use the online social media to better inform jewellery consumers.

The new technology that gave rise to the discussion on disclosure is Sarin’s Galaxy™ 1000 scanner, which detects and maps inclusions, regardless of their type, size and location within the rough diamond, including when it is completely frosted. At the meeting of the Diamond Commission at the CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv, participants will debate whether, if a stone has been scanned, does the seller have an unfair commercial advantage if he or she does not disclose the results to the buyer?

The Special Report notes that much of the discussion in the industry today concerning diamond grading standards and nomenclature is taking place online in the social media. “We, therefore, think it is time to review and discuss the tools and channels of communications we have been using up to now, and the new tools and channels we should be using to reach the downstream markets in the future,” writes Mr. Sheintal.

To download a full copy of the report, please CLICK HERE