Born between 1980 and 2000, the Millennials represent one of the largest generations in history, and it is about to move into its prime spending years. The unique experiences of Millennial consumers will change the ways the jewellery industry buys, sells and communicates with its customers, requiring companies to examine how they do business.

Recent data has indicated that, while in the European Union the prevalence of nickel allergies is decreasing, in North America it continues to rise slowly but steadily. Concerned by this situation, in June 2016 the Nickel Institute facilitated in Chicago a workshop on Nickel Allergic Contact Dermatitis (NACD) in North America, to consider the measures required to reduce its prevalence and incidence. CIBJO was invited to provide the perspective the jewellery industry.

In the current business environment, CSR no longer is a practice that one chooses to follow or not. It has become a required component of every company and organization in the industry, which individually must be able to describe its approach, and if possible quantify it.

CIBJO set up the Jewellery Industry Measurement Initiative to help companies within the jewellery industry understand their environmental impact, reduce it, and protect themselves and the industry as a whole. It is vitally important that the industry in general become engaged with this challenge before it impacts negatively on mid-term to long-term demand. By Jonathan Kendall, President, CIBJO Marketing & Education Commission, and Gaetano Cavalieri, CIBJO President

The essential importance of economic sustainability must be appreciated by the business community, which needs be prepared to take a long-term approach, sometimes at the expense of short-term profit. It also needs to be appreciated by government regulators, who must do their utmost to protect their country’s natural environment and social fabric, while at the same ensuring that the economy is allowed to function. By Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO