Paris: The 2025 Annual Congress of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) opened on October 27 at the Comet Auditorium in Paris, welcoming more than 250 delegates from across the global jewellery supply chain. The gathering marks a milestone year for CIBJO as it nears its centenary, reaffirming its position as the guardian of industry standards, consumer trust, and ethical business practices.
In his inaugural address, CIBJO President Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, together with Bernadette Pinet-Cuoq, Executive President of the host association UFBJOP, highlighted the imperative of maintaining transparency and protecting consumers amid rapid technological and social change. They emphasized that the jewellery industry’s credibility depends on accountability, responsible sourcing, and consistent use of standardized terminology.
Among the keynote speakers, Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Culture and Philanthropy at Cartier, and Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering, explored the intersection of luxury, sustainability, and science. They called for stronger collaboration between creative, ethical, and environmental priorities to ensure the jewellery sector remains both relevant and responsible.
A major highlight of the congress was the “State of the Jewellery Industry” session, which provided an in-depth look at market dynamics, consumer sentiment, and sustainability imperatives. David Kellie, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council, urged the trade to remain consumer-focused and to invest in demand generation, noting that millions of livelihoods depend on the continued strength of natural diamond sales. Feriel Zerouki, President of the World Diamond Council, stressed that sustainability must be integral to every business model, reminding participants that “we will be judged by our actions.”
Terry Hayman, CFO of the World Gold Council, observed that record-high gold prices—largely driven by central-bank demand—are reshaping jewellery consumption, particularly in Asian markets. Tim Schlick, CEO of the Platinum Guild International, noted a resurgence in platinum jewellery amid gold price volatility and called for more cohesive retail strategies to capture shifting consumer attention.
From a trade-fair perspective, Marco Carniello, Executive Business Officer of the Italian Exhibition Group, remarked that exhibitors have become increasingly selective since the pandemic, urging event organizers to deliver tangible business value and trust in an era of digital saturation. The host association UFBJOP reiterated the need for precise industry terminology, warning that misleading expressions—such as “laboratory-grown diamonds”—can confuse consumers and undermine confidence.
