The three day CIBJO Congress held in Istanbul, Turkey has concluded Tuesday, unanimously passing what it called “sweeping changes” to its statutes, extending voting rights to members representing commercial entities, while at the same time preserving the preeminent role of national associations.

 

The discussion on the nomenclature of gem-quality lab made diamonds, led by the CIBJO's diamond commission, concluded with a decision to that the term "synthetic" is the most appropriate descriptor for non-natural diamonds. Commission president Udi Sheintal proposed, however, to form an industry-wide working group that will work to arrive at consensus terminology.

 

“The working group will confer with members from all areas of the jewelry trade, including consumer organizations,” the organization said.

 

In his address to the CIBJO General Assembly Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri said that the goals of those involved in formulating the revised statutory framework were "one, to reflect the international jewelry industry as it is today; two, to protect and defend the rights and best interests of all our member organizations and their members, and, three, to enable CIBJO to fulfill its mission on behalf the global jewelry business over the coming years and decades."

 

Dr. Cavalieri was later reelected CIBJO president. Richard Peplow and Roland Naftule were elected vice presidents and Marc-Alain Christen, chief financial officer.

 

During its meetings, the Pearl Commission passed a motion to disclose a new treatment that is applied during the growth process of "Akoya" cultured pearls, where metal fluids are injected into the pearl's sac to induce color. Pearl Commission president Martin Coeroli reported that the body resolved to disclose such pearls as "color induced cultured pearls."

 

During the Colored Stone Commission meeting, the body's president, Vichian Veerasaksri, presented the new ruby and sapphire guides for retailers. Veerasaksri explained the Thai industry would sponsor the printing of 100,000 copies of he guides in Russian, Arabic, Chinese and English. The publications will also be featured on the CIBJO website. CIBJO holds exclusive copyright to these guides.

 

During the meeting of the Gemological Commission, the body's president Dr. Margherita Superchi presented the first complete draft of the “Gemological Laboratory Book, A Guide for the Management and Technical Operations of Gemological Laboratories.” The CIBJO delegates were asked to offer their comments and suggestions for modifications to the book within 30 days. The commission plans to bring the book up for approval at the CIBJO Congress in 2010.

 

During the Precious Metals Commission, the body's president Michael Allchin provided an overview of all the work done during the past year which included the launch of the updated Precious Metals Book, the publication of the Precious Metals booklet, and presentations on the PMB at international trade shows. Among the decisions made by the commission was to allow a wider range of coatings on precious metals to enhance the beauty of the products and permit technological innovation, as long as it meets all national health and safety standards and is not applied in order augment weight.

 

One of the highlights of the congress was the release of the "Retailers' Reference Guide: Diamonds, Gemstones, Pearls and Precious Metals," by CIBJO's Marketing and Education Commission. The guide provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental elements of diamonds, gemstones, pearls and precious metals; practical handouts that provide shop floor staff with the information they need for customers.

 

The congress also decided to create a new standing committee for chief executives of industry organizations. The new body, which is called the Association Executive Networking Committee, will hold its first full meeting at the CIBJO Congress in 2010.

 

The following delegates were elected as office holders in CIBJO' sectors and commissions for 2009/2010:

 

Sector 1

President:         Uri Ariel, Canada

Vice President: Aaron Shum, Hong Kong

Vice President: Bernadette Pinet-Cuoq, France

Vice President: Shishir Nevatia, India

 

Sector 2

President:         Ernesto Hausmann, Italy

Vice President: Gerard Atlan, France

Vice President: Ali Bulut, Turkey

 

Sector 3

President:         Roland Naftule, USA

Vice President: Thomas Lind, Germany

Vice President: Vasant Mehta, India

 

Coloured Stone Commission

President: Vichian Veerasaksri, Thailand

Vice President: Nilam Alawdeen, Japan

Vice President: Emmanuel Piat, France

 

Diamond Commission

President:         Udi Sheintal, Israel

Vice President: Jon Phillips, Belgium

Vice President: Yang Li Xin, China

 

Gemmological Commission

President:         Margherita Superchi, Italy

Vice President: Kenneth Scarratt, Thailand

Vice President: Hanco Zwaan, the Netherlands

 

Marketing and Education Commission

President:         Jonathan Kendall, UK

Vice President: Tawhid Abdulla, UAE

Vice President: Christine Boquet, France

 

Pearl Commission

President:         Martin Coeroli, French Polynesia

Vice President: Gaiti Rabbani, United Arab Emirates

Vice President: Shigeru Akamatsu, Japan

 

Precious Metals Commission

President:                            Michael Allchin, UK

Vice President - Gold:         Philip Olden, UK

Vice President - Silver:      Gianni Cacchione, Italy

Vice President - Platinum:James Courage, UK

 

Association Executive Networking Commission

President:         Ken Mulhall, Canada

Vice President: Carole Grouesy, France

Vice President: Lourens Mare, South Africa

Vice President: Ian Hadassin, Australia

 

Laboratory Directory Committee

President:         Héja Garcia-Guillerminet, France

Vice President: Jean-Pierre Chalain, Switzerland