Milan: The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) will hold its 2023 annual congress in Jaipur, in the Indian State of Rajasthan, from October 3 to October 5. Pre-congress meetings will be held on October 1 and 2.

The 2023 Congress, which will take place at the Jaipur Exhibition and Congress Centre (JECC), is being hosted by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and the National Gem & Jewellery Council of India (NGJCI).

CIBJO congresses serve as the official gathering place for the World Jewellery Confederation’s Assembly of Delegates, and are also the venue for the annual meetings of CIBJO’s sectoral commissions, where amendments can be introduced to the organization’s definitive directories of international industry standards for diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, gem labs, precious metals, coral and responsible sourcing, known as the Blue Books.

The CIBJO Congress is also where are reported upon the programmes of World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF), as well as activities related to CIBJO’s ongoing cooperation with the United Nations and its development programme.

Known as the Pink City because of the characteristic burnt ochre colour of many of the buildings in its centre, Jaipur is both the capital of Rajasthan and also its largest city, with more than 4 million residents. Its connection with the jewellery industry dates back to its very establishment in 1727. Skilled craftsmen, including jewellers and stonecutters, were brought in, creating an enamelling and gem-setting tradition that continues to this very day. It is estimated that the number of people employed in established factories and the cottage industry, both in the city and surrounding areas, is between 200,000 and 300,000, with more than half of them involved in gem cutting. The gemstone most associated with Jaipur is the emerald, but it also has been a major tanzanite cutting centre.

“It promises to be a spectacular congress,” said Gaetano Cavalieri, CIBJO President, “and the first to be held in person since 2019, before the onset of the pandemic. For many of us it will be an opportunity to meet face to face after more than three years, and I cannot think of a more appropriate and exotic setting to do this. My thanks to our Indian hosts and especially our CIBJO Vice President, Pramod Agrawal, who is also the NGJCI Chairman, and Vipul Shah, the GJEPC Chairman.”

A dedicated 2023 CIBJO Congress website will be launched shortly.