CIBJO Congress 2025 Registration Open

Register now for the 2025 CIBJO Congress in Paris, October 27–29. Join global jewellery leaders as CIBJO marks its centenary year with meetings, industry standards updates, and networking opportunities.

Registration is now open for the 2025 CIBJO Congress.

• Dates: Monday, October 27 – Wednesday, October 29, 2025

• Location: Paris, France

• Website: www.cibjo.org/congress-2025

Why This Congress Matters

• This congress marks the start of CIBJO’s Centenary Year.

• Paris is the host city, where CIBJO was first founded in 1926.

• The Union Française de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfèvrerie, des Pierres & des Perles (UFBJOP) is hosting the event, representing all sectors of the French jewellery and gemstone industry.

What You Get as a Delegate

• Access to the Assembly of Delegates sessions.

• Participation in sectoral commission meetings on:

  • Diamonds

  • Coloured stones

  • Pearls

  • Precious metals

  • Coral

  • Responsible sourcing

  • Gem labs

• The opportunity to review and propose updates to the Blue Books — the international reference standards.

Extra Benefits

• Online registration with secure booking.

• Hotel rooms at special congress rates via dedicated links.

• Detailed programme, venue guides, and Paris travel tips available on the website.

• Reports from the World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF).

• Updates on CIBJO’s cooperation with the United Nations development programme.

Why You Should Attend

• Want to connect with global jewellery leaders?

• Looking to influence industry standards?

• Need updates on responsible sourcing and gemological practices?

This is your chance to be part of jewellery history as CIBJO enters its 100th year.

Busting 10 Common Pearl Myths – What Every Retailer Should Know

Pearls are trending again. More buyers are asking about them. But many still believe in outdated ideas.

If you're selling pearls, you need to clear up the confusion. This podcast from The Plumb Club, featuring Cheryl Kremkow for Mastoloni, tackles the top 10 myths your customers probably believe.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

10 Pearl Myths That Still Confuse Buyers

• Myth 1: Pearls are only for older women.
  Not true. Men, young women, and even kids wear pearls today.

• Myth 2: Only white pearls are real.
  Pearls come in black, pink, gold, lavender, and more.

• Myth 3: Natural pearls are better than cultured ones.
  Most pearls sold today are cultured, and they can be stunning.

• Myth 4: All pearls come from oysters.
  Some come from freshwater mussels.

• Myth 5: Round pearls are the only good ones.
  Baroque shapes are growing in demand and are often more affordable.

• Myth 6: Pearls are too fragile to wear every day.
  With care, pearls can last generations.

• Myth 7: Price always equals quality.
  That depends on many factors, not just cost.

• Myth 8: Pearls don’t go with modern fashion.
  Designers now mix pearls with leather, metals, and bold looks.

• Myth 9: All pearls look the same.
  Luster, surface, shape, size, and color vary widely.

• Myth 10: Grading pearls is too complex.
  Not if you know the “6 S’s” – size, shape, surface, shine, shade, and style.

Want to Sell More Pearls?

Learn to spot quality pearls fast.

Ask yourself:

• Does the pearl reflect light clearly?

• Are there many visible spots or bumps?

• Is the color even and appealing?

• Is the shape round, or uniquely baroque?

Meet Mastoloni

Known for their wide selection and trusted supply, Mastoloni can help you source almost any type of cultured pearl—classic or contemporary.

Next Steps:

• Listen to the full podcast on The Plumb Club's website.

• Train your sales team to answer pearl questions with confidence.

• Keep a few non-white, non-round pieces in your display to start a conversation.

Pearls are not old news.
They’re your next big sale—if you know how to present them. Are you ready to bust these myths in your store?

Rapaport Launches New Market For Natural Pearls

A new market for pearls.

Useful link:

https://rapaport.com/press-releases/rapaport-launches-new-market-for-natural-pearls

https://about.rapaport.com/aboutpearls

Pearls In Traditional Indian Nose Rings

Pearls in traditional Indian nose rings are storytellers. Many thanks to Gems & Gemology and GIA Mumbai team for sharing an interesting report.

Useful link:

https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/fall-2023-lab-notes-pearls-in-traditional-indian-nose-rings

Roseate Jewelry

Get to know Pam Cloud.

Useful link: https://roseatejewelry.com

Exceptionally Rare Pearls From ECIJA

I haven't seen these types of pearls before. Many thanks to Aylene Norris of ECIJA, Jeremy Norris of Oasis Pearl, Gems & Gemology, and pearl researchers at GIA for the insightful report.

Useful link:

https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2023-gemnews-rare-pearls-ecija

Atypical Box Bead Cultured Pearls

Pearl dealers, jewelers, and gemologists must read.

Useful link:

https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/fall-2022-gemnews-atypical-box-bead-cultured-pearls

A Non-Nacreous Pearl Reportedly From Telescopium telescopium

Gemologists and pearl consumers should read the insightful report by the GIA.

Useful link:

https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/fall-2022-lab-notes-non-nacreous-pearl-reportedly-from-telescopium-telescopium

Pearl Revolution

Two-thirds of the fine jewelry consumers surveyed own at least one piece of pearl jewelry. Pearls are the third most popular gem for self-purchase, after diamonds and sapphires and the second most popular after diamonds to give as a gift. Insightful report. 

Useful link:

https://unitymarketingonline.com/pearls-are-riding-a-wave-of-renewed-popularity

How Mollusks Make Pearls So Perfect

We can learn a lot by studying how pearls go from disordered nothingness to this remarkably symmetrical structure. Pearls are spectacular wonders of nature. 

Useful link:

https://www.futurity.org/pearls-nanoscale-precision

The True Pearl Story

Although pearl farming is thriving currently, it faces an uncertain future just like many other aquatic industries threatened by climate change plus. Global water temperatures are rising, and local habitats are changing, both of which will affect mollusks and could threaten all types of pearl making. Believe it or not, pearls are amazing time capsules. Keep observing and learning.

Useful link:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-of-natural-history/2021/08/05/true-story-behind-how-pearls-are-made

Vietnam: Shell Nuclei, Pearl Hatcheries, And Pearl Farming

GIA's Bangkok laboratory was able to visit Oriental Pearl's shell nucleus manufacturing facility and two pearl farms managed by the company in Vietnam. The incredible attention to detail required to produce the bead nuclei, and the subsequent application of these nuclei in the culturing process, must be seen in person to be truly appreciated. I have seen their manufacturing facility in Bangkok. Must read.

Useful link: https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/fall-2020-vietnam-shell-nuclei-pearl-hatcheries

Wilfred Rosado Pearls

Kamala Harris, the first woman, first Black person and first Asian American, who sworn in as vice president of the United States, wore a strand of pearls around her neck from Wilfred Rosado of W. Rosado to complete her royal purple ensemble by Louisiana-born, New York City-based designer Christopher John Rogers.

Useful links: https://robbreport.com/style/jewelry/vice-president-kamala-harris-wears-a-w-rosado-pearl-necklace-on-inauguration-day-1234592466 I https://wrosado.com

Talking Pearls With Ray Mastoloni Jr.

Insightful Q & A with Brittany Siminitz.

Useful links:

https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/talking-pearls-mastoloni

https://www.mastoloni.com

The Pearl ID Collection By W.Rosado

Take a look. It is a thrill to see what jewelry designers can do with pearls.

Useful links:

https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/pearl-id-w-rosado

http://www.wrosado.com/#pearl-id

Melanie Georgacopoulos On Pearls

Melanie Georgacopoulos is one of the finest artists out there reinventing pearls. The jewels are beautifully honed with a purposeful flair, like taking a chisel to stone. Seeing is believing.

Useful links:

https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/melanie-georgacopoulos-pearls

https://www.melaniegeorgacopoulos.com

A Pearl Renaissance

Get to know Melanie Georgacopoulos.

Useful links:
http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/jewellery/article/melanie-georgacopoulos-pearls-jewellery-design
https://www.melaniegeorgacopoulos.com

The ABCs Of Pearls Reveal Fascinating Aspects Of Gems From The Deep

The A-Z of pearls.

Useful link:
https://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research/abcs-pearls-reveal-fascinating-aspects-gems-deep