CIBJO Special Report Highlights Global Jewellery Education Initiatives Ahead Of Paris Congress 2025

CIBJO releases its first pre-congress Special Report ahead of the 2025 Paris Congress. The report highlights two key projects: the CIBJO Academy and the International Fine Jewellery Academy in Milan, aimed at educating professionals and consumers on jewellery standards and craftsmanship.

With fewer than ten weeks to go before the 2025 CIBJO Congress in Paris on October 27, the first pre-congress Special Report has been released.

Prepared by the CIBJO Marketing and Education Commission, led by Jonathan Kendall, the report highlights two major education projects shaping the future of the jewellery industry.

1. CIBJO Academy

Launched in 2023, the CIBJO Academy is designed to educate both the trade and consumers.

Key points:

• Led by Kenneth Scarratt, CIBJO Vice President and Dean of the Academy.

• Offers courses through the CIBJO website, social media, webinars, and live events.

• Uses the CIBJO Blue Books as the foundation for learning. These cover standards for:

  • Diamonds

  • Coloured gemstones

  • Pearls

  • Coral

  • Precious metals

  • Gemmological laboratories

  • Responsible sourcing

• Expands knowledge beyond the Blue Books with new guides on pearls, coral, jade, and opal.

Have you explored how these standards impact your jewellery buying or business decisions?

2. International Fine Jewellery Academy (IFJA)

The second initiative is the International Fine Jewellery Academy (IFJA) in Milan, Italy.

Highlights:

• A global training hub for students from different countries.

• Combines classroom teaching with hands-on training in northern Italy.

• Supported by leading Italian jewellery houses and artisans.

• Developed through a partnership between:

  • CIBJO

  • ConfCommercio – Italy’s largest trade association

  • Foundation Mani Inteligenti – training goldsmiths in Valenza

  • CAPAC – Politecnico del Commercio e del Turismo (since 1961)

Would you consider Milan as the place to refine your jewellery skills and learn directly from Italian masters?

Why It Matters

Education has become a core priority for CIBJO. Both the Academy and IFJA aim to give professionals and consumers reliable knowledge, global standards, and practical training.

If you work with jewellery or buy it often, understanding these programs can help you make more informed choices.

What Does It Mean To Be Ethical? Have Your Say

The Blue List will be the subject of an education session at the JCK show in Las Vegas: 'What does it mean to be ethical? Have your say,' taking place on Saturday, June 7, at 1 p.m. Take note.

Useful link:

https://lasvegas.jckonline.com/en-us/events-education/education-schedule/session-details.4238.244454.what-does-it-mean-to-be-ethical-have-your-say.

The Blue List

CIBJO has released a draft of The Blue List, a comprehensive glossary aimed at standardizing terminology used in responsible sourcing and sustainability across the jewelry, gemstones and precious metals industries.

Useful link:

https://cibjo.org/cibjo-launches-public-consultation-for-the-blue-list

CIBJO Ethics Commission’s 2024 Special Report

The special report on the problem of greenwashing in jewelry marketing is a must read.

Useful link: https://cibjo.org/congress-2024

AGTA Rejoins CIBJO

A win-win for both AGTA and CIBJO.

Useful links:

https://agta.org/agta-rejoins-cibjo-plans-to-participate-in-2023-congress-in-jaipur

https://www.cibjo.org

CIBJO Technology Special Report

The report focuses on disruptive technological breakthroughs in the jewelry and gemstone industry and trade. Must read.

Useful link:

http://www.cibjo.org

The 2021 CIBJO Congress

CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, will hold its 2021 annual congress virtually during the first and third weeks of November, from Monday, November 1 through Thursday, November 4, and then from Monday, November 15 through Thursday, November 18, 2021. Take note.

Useful link: http://www.cibjo.org

CIBJO Responsible Sourcing Toolkit

CIBJO has launched free online toolkit to assist gem and jewelry companies to undertake responsible sourcing supply chain due diligence on their supply chains. Take note.

Useful link: http://www.cibjo.org

What Is A Diamond?

Take a look at CIBJO's new informational website for consumers.

Useful link: https://www.whatisadiamond.org

CIBJO Guide For Classifying Natural Pearls And Cultured Pearls

The 62-page illustrated document provides an overarching view of natural and cultured pearls, from both seawater and freshwater sources, and highlights the important parameters by which their appearances can be described and assessed in terms of physical dimensions and quality. It is designed to serve as a reference point and a source of information for both the general public and the jewelry trade.

Useful links: http://www.cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/21-02-17-CIBJO-Pearl-Guide.pdf I http://www.cibjo.org

Lab-Growns To Get Second-Tier Reports

Lab-grown diamonds should be sold with second-tier reports giving details of their manufacture, rather than 4C gradings according to CIBJO. The purpose is to preserve the distinction between manufactured diamonds and natural diamonds for which rarity is a critical factor. CIBJO has released a Laboratory Grown Diamond Guidance document, the final stage of a two-year process to standardize the lab-grown sector and boost consumer confidence. Lab-grown reports will include the name of the manufacturer, the production batch, country of origin, method of manufacture (HPHT or CVD), and information about any treatments and processes the diamond has undergone--all of which reinforce the message that the diamond was made, not mined. If the 4Cs are used to describe the physical characteristics of lab-grown diamonds, the letters 'LG' will be placed as a prefix before color and clarity. I hope it works.

Useful link: http://www.cibjo.org

Grading Is Just For Natural Diamonds

The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) has recommended that laboratories use the term grading report for natural diamonds only, arguing that lab-grown diamonds lack the rarity that underpins the concept of grading. 

Useful link: http://www.cibjo.org

CIBJO/WJCEF Intertek Joint Venture

CIBJO and Intertek Italia SpA have announced a joint initiative to educate, train, and certify CSR, sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) compliance officers, specifically for the gem and jewelry industry. It will be first dedicated programme of its kind worldwide.

Useful links: http://www.cibjo.org I https://www.intertek.com

ISO 24016:2020

CIBJO has described the publication by the International Standards Organisation of ISO 24016, the first-ever standards approved by the body that specifies the terminology, classification and the methods to be used for the grading and description of single unmounted polished diamonds.

Useful links: http://www.cibjo.org I https://www.iso.org/standards

The Blue Book Series

As gesture to the gem and jewelry industry during COVID-19 crisis, CIBJO has made all Blue Books available free of charge.

Useful link:
http://www.cibjo.org

CIBJO Postpones Annual Congress To 2021

Take note.

Useful link:
http://www.cibjo.org

The Future Of Trade Shows After COVID-19

Trade shows used to be a place to make connections, discover new trends, and often educate themselves. COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. The organisers need to find alternate ways to bring the industry together.

Useful link:

https://www.cibjo.org/webinars

Does Size Matter?

It does. Does Size Matter? seminar in collaboration with CIBJO will take place on Friday, January 17 at 11 am in the Tiziano Room, Hall 7.1 of the Vicenza Exposition Centre.

Useful links:
https://www.cibjo.org
https://www.iegexpo.it/en/venues/vicenza/expo-centre

CIBJO Creates Lab-Grown Diamond Committee

Why it took so long?

Useful links:
https://www.cibjo.org
https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=64401&ArticleTitle=CIBJO%2bCreates%2bLab-Grown%2bDiamond%2bCommittee

Pearl Special Report

CIBJO has released Pearl Special Report for the industry and consumers. Take a look.

Useful link:
https://www.cibjo.org