Vicenza: At the conclusion of the CIBJO Centenary Congress in Italy on September 7, the General Assembly elected several prominent leaders from the Indian gem and jewellery sector to the Board of Directors of The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO).

Key Appointments & Leadership:

• Board Elections: Mr. Mehul Shah (President WFDB & Vice President BDB) and Mr. Kirit Bhansali (Chairman GJEPC) were elected to the 30-member Board of Directors. Ms. Vaishali Banerjee (MD India, Platinum Guild International) was also elected to the Board.
• Executive Leadership: Mr. Pramod Agarwal (former GJEPC Chairman) was re-elected as Vice President. Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri was re-elected unopposed as CIBJO President, alongside Vice Presidents Jonathan Kendall and Kenneth Scarratt.

Industry Impact & Key Initiatives Founded as the oldest global organization in the gem and jewellery trade, CIBJO standardizes industry guidelines and publishes authoritative “Blue Books” and Retailer’s Guides to maintain trade nomenclature. Recognized by the UN Economic and Social Council as a technical advisor since 2006, CIBJO plays a pivotal role in global market standards.

Addressing the assembly, Mehul Shah emphasized two priority areas:

• Lab-Grown Diamond Transparency: Shah urged CIBJO to establish explicit guidelines distinguishing lab-grown gemstones from natural ones, ensuring consumers clearly understand the distinct product categories.
• Global Collaboration: Highlighting India’s dual role as a manufacturing hub and major consumer market, Shah pledged to strengthen ties between CIBJO and global diamond bodies like WFDB and BDB to enhance consumer trust.