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

Gaetano Cavalieri, the president of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, is visiting the Armenian capital of Yerevan this week, where on Tuesday he was invited to attend the official inauguration celebrations of President Serzh Sargsyan, who recently was elected for a second term in office. During the visit, he has been holding discussions with senior government and industry officials about plans for the development of the Armenian jewellery sector.

This is Dr. Cavalieri’s second visit in four months to Armenia, where he has joined the leadership of the Armenian Jewellers Association, led by the organisation’s president, Gagik Gevorkyan, in their discussions with the government about the infrastructural, regulatory and marketing strategies necessary to catapult Armenia to the status of major jewellery centre, with a special focus on Central and Eastern Europe and the western flank of Asia.

 “In so many respects Armenia is in an advantageous position,” Dr. Cavalieri said. “Its geographic location and its peoples’ long tradition in the jewellery industry, both at home and in the very loyal Armenian diaspora, provide it with a tremendous start from which to build. Its government is most supportive, agreeing to the establishment of a duty and tax free zone for the jewellery sector, which not only has the potential to serve as a magnet for the jewellery trades in other countries in the region and around the world, but also will create thousands of jobs at home and serve as valuable national resource for foreign income.”

“CIBJO is delighted to be involved in this mission,” Dr. Cavalieri said. “It underscores the commitment that we made when were recognised as the international jewellery sector’s representative in the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and according to which the industry will participate in the fulfilment  of the Millennium Development Goals. This is the essence of Corporate Social Responsibility.”

On Wednesday Dr. Cavalieri and the leadership of the Armenian Jewellers Association had a private session with President Sargsyan, and they were scheduled to meet with a range of senior officials, including the governor on the Armenian Central Bank.

Photo Caption: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan (left) greeting CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri. Looking on are Gagik Gevorkyan, President of the Armenian Jewellers Association, and Artak Udumyan, Executive Director of the Armenian Jewellers Association. Mr.Gevorkyan also serves as President of the Association Russian Jewellers Guild.

With four weeks to go to the opening of the 2013 CIBJO Congress in Tel Aviv on May 7, 2013, the third of the CIBJO commissions’ Special Reports has been released. Prepared by the CIBJO Coloured Stone Commission, headed by Nilam Alawdeen,  the report  reviews updates already made to the Coloured Gemstone Blue Book and also those that are being considered. In particular it looks at the nomenclature used to describe gemstone treatments.

The Special Report notes the addition of the qualifying terms “laboratory-grown” and “laboratory-created” as alternatives to the term “synthetic,” but points out that in the event that a national jewellery association in a non-English speaking country, which is a member of CIBJO, deems that there is no acceptable local direct translation of the terms “laboratory-grown” or “laboratory-created,” then only the translation of the term “synthetic” should be used.

The Special Report states the intention of the Coloured Stone Commission to tackle the inadequacy of current nomenclature in describing lead-glass filled rubies. “If ‘composite’ is not the right term,” it says, “CIBJO should work in haste to adopt the proper nomenclature, to better protect consumers’ interests and, thereby, the integrity of the industry.

To download a full copy of the report, PLEASE CLICK HERE.