Singapore: The 41st World Diamond Congress will feature an exclusive fireside chat with Pritesh Patel, the newly appointed President and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), marking one of his first major public appearances in the role on the global stage.

Patel steps into the position at a pivotal moment for GIA and the broader diamond trade.

Moderated by luxury journalist and author Richa Goyal Sikri, the session will go beyond the official narrative to explore the strategic decisions now shaping the institution: GIA’s acquisition of Tracr and what it means for provenance and transparency, expanded investments in education including new facilities in Taiwan, London, and New York, the future of GIA’s research legacy, and the vision for the institution over the next five years.

“For the past 95 years, GIA’s goal has been to ensure confidence in gems and jewelry through innovation, knowledge, and research. Exchanging perspectives, sharing insights, and participating in expert discussions align with our Institute’s mission. I look forward to attending the 41st World Diamond Congress in July 2026,” said Patel.

Richa will be looking for more than the official line. “GIA sits at the centre of almost everything this industry relies on – standards, science, education, trust,” she said. “When I was researching for my book, I found myself returning to GIA’s archives again and again. The institution’s body of work is foundational. The real question is whether an institution built on 95 years of tradition can reinvent itself without losing what makes it irreplaceable? I want to hear Pritesh’s honest thinking on that, not the official line.”

The fireside chat takes place on 14th July from 11:50 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. during the World Diamond Congress in Singapore.