CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has successfully concluded its annual congress in Bangkok, Thailand

The three-day event, running from November 5 through 7, brought from around the world some 150 official delegates and a total about 300 participants, and covered a wide range of issues on the agenda of the international gemstone and jewellery industry. There was a strong focus on responsible sourcing, Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability, particularly in the coloured gemstone sector. It was preceded by the three days of pre-congress steering committee meetings and the first World Ruby Forum.

Opened by General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister of Thailand, the 2017 CIBJO Congress was hosted at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand (GIT), both of which fall under the jurisdiction of the Thai Ministry of Commerce.

CONGRESS REPORTS

CIBJO General Assembly elects CIBJO officers for next two years, concludes 2017 congress

Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri was elected to another two-year term as President, and for the first time three Vice Presidents were elected: Roland Naftule of the United States, Eli Avidar of Israel, and Corrado Facco of Italy. Marc-Alain Christen of Switzerland was reconfirmed as the organisation’s Chief Financial Officer and a new Board of Directors was elected, also for a two-year term.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha officially opens CIBJO’s 2017 congress

General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the country’s head of government, was accompanied by Mrs. Apiradi Tantraporn, Thailand’s Minister of Commerce, and Mr. Sontirat Sontijirawong, the Deputy Minister of Commerce.

In presence of Thai prime minister, CIBJO President endorses Thailand’s central role in jewellery and gemstone industry

‘For members of the jewellery industry, the undisputed entry point into the ASEAN Economic Community is Bangkok, and that puts Thailand into a very powerful place, on condition that it is able to defend its market position in the region,’ said Dr. Cavalieri.

Sector A told changes to Blue Books only to take place every three years

It was agreed that the Coloured Gemstone Book and the Diamond Book will not be changed for the next three years, while the Coral Book along with the Pearl Book will be up for revision in two years, and then every three years thereafter. The Gemmological Book will be changed next year.

CIBJO Coral Commission reports on creation of Coral Guide for the Italian Customs organisation

The customs guide may be too complicated for members of the retail trade, for it is designed to serve the specific needs of government customs agents. It is currently available in English, Italian and Thai, and translations into German, French and Japanese are also possible.

Free online course and Fiji Pearl Development Plan focus of Pearl Commission

The Fiji Pearl Association plans to enhance the effectiveness of locally managed marine areas, and integrate coastal management and land and sea management programmes to bring about meaningful income for local island residents.

Precious Metals Commission focuses on compliance with EU and U.S. legislation

CIBJO’s Precious Metals Commission looked at the new regulations ratified this past year in the European Union and their potential impact, comparing them to legislation passed in the United States seven years ago, as part of the Dodd Frank Act.

Ethics Commission provides update on industry forum initiating grass-roots sustainability projects

The commission received a report on the Jewellery Industry Summit in the United States, of which one outcome was the creation of the Jewellery Development Index, which is being developed by students in a programme with the U.S. State Department, to assess the comparative impact of the jewellery industry on people’s lives in different countries.

IDC Book to be harmonised with CIBJO Blue Book as single international diamond guide

The decision that was authorised by the Diamond Commission means that the CIBJO Diamond Book will serve the whole diamond industry and be the only book for the trade, the body’s president, Udi Sheintal told the meeting.

CIBJO Marketing & Education Commission releases jewellery industry employee recruitment and retention guide

The 60-page publication contains self-contained guides and templates for applications to businesses, as well as insights from industry figures from around the world. It will shortly be made available for downloading on the CIBJO website.

Special session searches for solutions to coloured stone supply chain integrity

‘You have to start with: first, don’t do any harm. Don’t harm the people you want to regulate. If you are going to ban child labour or other bad practices, then you have to find alternative work for them. Perhaps we can help as an industry to provide Africans with wells for clean drinking water,’ said gem expert Richard Hughes, in a session co-organised with the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).

Coloured Gemstone Commission appoints group to simplify Blue Book for jewellery industry

‘Retailers in touch with consumers are finding it too detailed and complex. The idea is to create a simplified book,’ said Charles Abouchar, Vice President of the Coloured Stone Commission, referring to the Gemtone Blue Book.

Gemmological Commission discusses harmonisation of colour nomenclature and undeterminable treatments

A document was discussed that compared standards for terms such as royal blue and pigeon’s blood red that are currently in use at various labs. The question is not whether CIBJO accepts the use of such terms, but rather that it intends to provide factual information and creating more transparency regarding what is currently going on.

CIBJO Congress kicks off with debate on CSR challenges and opportunities

CIBJO President Gaetano proposed developing a structure for rough coloured gemstones, involving a combination of government monitoring and self-administered due diligence, which will enable the industry to demonstrate the integrity of its chain of distribution.

CIBJO President discuss CSR in coloured gemstone sector at inaugural World Ruby Forum

‘The fact that it is more difficult to monitor the origins and flow of coloured gemstones in the pipeline does not mean that the trade will get a special pass from NGOs, the media or socially-aware millennial consumers,’ said the CIBJO President.

Coloured Gemstone Steering Committee hears case for CIBJO Opal Guide

Meeting on November 3, the Coloured Gemstone Steering Committee heard a presentation made by Andrew Cody of Australia, who argued the case for a possible Opal Guide that would be separate from CIBJO Gemstone Blue Book.

CONGRESS PHOTO GALLERIES

BANGKOK

SHANGRI-LA BANGKOK HOTEL

CONGRESS REGISTRATION

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
NOVEMBER 2, 2017

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
NOVEMBER 3, 2017

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
NOVEMBER 4, 2017

LOY KRATHONG FESTIVAL
NOVEMBER 3, 2017

WORLD RUBY FORUM
NOVEMBER 4, 2017

CIBJO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NOVEMBER 5, 2017

SPECIAL CSR SESSION
NOVEMBER 5, 2017

GEMMOLOGICAL COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 5, 2017

COLOURED STONE COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 5, 2017

PEARL COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 5, 2017

GALA DINNER CRUISE
NOVEMBER 5, 2017

PRIME MINISTER OPENS CONGRESS
NOVEMBER 6, 2017

DIAMOND COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 6, 2017

MARKETING & EDUCATION COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 6, 2017

ETHICS COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 6, 2017

PRECIOUS METALS COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 6, 2017

CORAL COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 6, 2017

SECTOR A
NOVEMBER 7, 2017

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
NOVEMBER 7, 2017

CIBJO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NOVEMBER 7, 2017

CONGRESS VIDEOS

VIDEO SCREENED AT OPENING OF
2017 CIBJO CONGRESS
NOVEMBER 6, 2017

2017 CIBJO CONGRESS PROMO

VIDEO SCREENED AT OPENING OF
WORLD RUBY FORUM
NOVEMBER 4, 2017

CONGRESS PRESENTATIONS

DR. GAETANO CAVALIERI
President, CIBJO