GJ Town India

Harmonised standards Promote fair jewellery trade! Addressing the opening ceremony of the 7th European Gemmological Symposium in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri called on the world's gemmological community to participate through CIBJO in the creation of harmonised sets of grading standards, practices and nomenclature, as part of an international effort to ensure the integrity of the jewellery market and to maintain consumer confidence. "We are not a commercial organisation, but our mission is to promote a business environment in which commercial organisations can optimise their effectiveness and revenues," he stated. "And to do that over the long term, we believe it is essential that our working environment is responsible, fair and ethical. If this is not the case, in a luxury product industry like ours the viability of our business will be threatened and we will run the risk of losing consumer confidence, which in this type

Pol Van Der Steen elects Vice-Chairman The International Diamond Council (IDC) has elected Julien Drybooms as its new Chairman, while Pol van der Steen is the new Vice-Chairman. The IDC's board members are: Harry Levy, Stephane Fischler, Rajender Gehani, Dieter Hahn, Christine Heiderich, Peter Hofer, Alan Loewe, Jochen Muller, Udi Sheintal, and Meir Wertheim. "I am very pleased to take on this important position and I am honoured to have been elected," said Drybooms. The IDC has been in operation for more than 40 years, and its role is just as important today as it has ever been. "I must express the gratitude of the IDC and its member organizations: the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) to Harry Levy, the former IDC President. He led the IDC for many years and gave outstanding service as its head. I am delighted that Harry has agreed to remain as an IDC Board member." T