ICA Newsletter - August 2020

Ambassador's Report Martine Lavoie, Canada ICA Canada Gem-Industry Report Hello ICA members! Here is the news from Canada! Considering what we went through last spring, we consider ourselves quite lucky this summer. We are a small/medium family business selling to jewelers/goldsmiths located mostly in Canada and slowly a little more often abroad. All of our clients have told us that this summer feels like Christmas. Who would have thought? The reasons are as follows: Our government has provided a lot of financial help to the majority of the population who have needed help. Most of the potential clients buying jewelry worth $3,000 to $8,000 are teleworking, including: Doctors, Accountants, Lawyers, Engineers, etc.…They never stopped working. They have money to spend, especially since they don’t travel, and they don’t go out much to restaurants, theaters, etc. Then, they don’t really buy expensive clothes. So, I guess jewelry is a dream that can come true. When they step into a store (not just for jewelry but also for any other goods) it’s to buy, not to shop around. Another interesting observation is that people WANT to buy local. Encourage the Canadian market and the company they trust. As I’ve mentioned in your previous newsletter, we’ve received many parcels on memo from our fantastic gems suppliers (ICA members of course!). That was amazing. So, we try to ... Read More

Ambassador's Report Kennedy Ho, Thailand ICA Thailand Gem-Industry Report In the beginning of January 2020, the gem business in Thailand was still good. Most dealers were expecting a good 2020. The first Covid-19 confirmed case emerged on 13 January 2020 and Thailand had the world’s first COVID-19 case outside of China. After the Tucson fair in early February, we still managed to do the Bangkok Fair at the end of February. By that time, there were 42 confirmed cases in Thailand. Business sentiment was still good in early March but all of this started to change in the middle of March when COVID-19 cases shot up by over a hundred per day. On 21 March, Bangkok City Hall authorities announced the Bangkok shutdown. Restaurants, department stores, markets, schools, barbershops, sports stadiums, golf courses, and massage parlors in Bangkok were closed temporarily. By 26 March, the Thai government declared a state of emergency. Most restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues including places mentioned above were closed not only in Bangkok but all over Thailand. Chanthaburi gem market was also closed down. Meanwhile, hospitals, food delivery, supermarkets, food markets, drug stores, convenience stores, banks, and other stores selling necessary items were allowed to open. On 3 April a curfew from 22:00 - 04:00 hrs was imposed; on the same day, the government also declared a temporary ban on... Read More

Ambassador's Report Maxim Van Oppens, Belgium ICA Belgium Gem-Industry Report Greeting from Belgium! After gradually easing out of lockdown we, like all countries, are experiencing a rise in Covid-19 cases. Currently Antwerp has the status of a high-risk area. As the gemstone and diamond trade primarily takes place there, the entire sector is heavily affected. Key differences in the trade in comparison to our last update are: Mouth masks are recommended everywhere in Belgium and mandatory in Antwerp not only on public transport or inside buildings but whenever one steps outside Shops are open, but only groups of maximum two persons may enter. Shoppers who break that rule, get fined Client visits in neighbouring countries is possible with a negative Covid-19 test Clients prefer remote ways of purchasing their stones not only for commercial but for fine quality stones as well The decrease in spontaneous purchases is in not a small part compensated by rising average purchase numbers Certified stones are in higher demand Requests for rare countries of origin have increased Despite all this we are convinced that the hardships that we face have brought the sector closer together. Clients rely on their trusted suppliers. Wholesalers help each other out even more. Customers are more flexible when it comes to measurements, specific amounts or other things that used to be non-negotiable. In short, we have grown as a community and will do so in the future. It is an enormous privilege to be able to deal with earth's treasures and the appreciation for that is only increasing. Read Here

UPDATED Trade Shows Scheduled, Rescheduled, Completed, & Cancelled BASELWORLD - rescheduled for Jan. 28 - Feb. 2, 2021 - CANCELLED Possible future Virtual and Live April show combination - HOURUNIVERSE JCK 2020 Las Vegas - Virtual Show - Aug. 10-14, 2020 - COMPLETED Informa June HK Show - rescheduled for Nov. 26-29, 2020 - CANCELLED Informa September HK Show - RESCHEDULED for Nov. 9-13, 2020 Informa Jewellery & Gem Digital World - NEW! Virtual Show Oct. 27-29, 2020 GemGenève - November 1-4, 2020 - CANCELLED Tucson GJX & AGTA Shows - still ON SCHEDULE for February 2-7, 2021 

The Most Jaw-Dropping New Jewelry of 2020, From Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Bulgari and More Classic designs, modern combinations and lots and lots of emeralds. Robb Report ... While Boucheron most aptly captured the mood of the season in its wildly imaginative high-jewelry collection that used everything from algorithms to NASA-employed materials to evoke the escapist and fleeting quality of nature, other jewelers turned out several jaw-dropping creations that would be at home in any museum-worthy collection. Emeralds largely set the tone for the year, while onyx, turquoise and pearls were favored as accents to heavy-weight stones. Here are some of the most jaw-dropping pieces to make their way out of the world’s top jewelry ateliers. ... Read More

Celebrate Peridot An August Birthstone, With These Beautiful Pieces Of Peridot Jewelry Forbes ... August has several birthstones, but the most well-known is peridot. This beautiful green gemstone comes in a range of hues, from yellow-green to deep green, and lends itself to classic, stone-focused jewelry, as well as accents with other stones and colors.  Today’s designers feature peridot in gorgeous pieces, ranging from statement necklaces to nature-inspired rings. Scroll down for the most beautiful peridot birthstone jewelry. Belperron This Saddle Cuff from Belperron is a unique take on a classic line bracelet. Artisans carve smoky quartz into ... Read More

The Most Influential Asian Jewellery Designers To Know Right Now HK Asia Tatler ... Asia’s world-class jewellers are leveraging their heritage and swiftly becoming a force on the global stage. From fantastic inspirations to the world’s most precious gemstones, there’s a palpable intensity to the growing pool of high jewellers that have emerged from Asia over the past few years. Hong Kong-based Wallace Chan's glittering sculptures, Singapore-born Edmond Chin’s one-of-a-kind creations and Michelle Ong's art deco-inspired designs indicate that Asia has no shortage of world-class talent, and pieces by the region’s most outstanding jewellers are proving to be record breakers at auction. ... Read More

Check out ICA's website for more: wwwGemstone.Org

ICA has recently revitalized its Instagram account! Introducing: "Member Tuesdays!" If you want to be featured in ICA's Instagram, please send us photos, your head-shot or logo and text including hashtags.   @icagemstone   Please follow us! Send us your Instagram handle so we can follow you as well!    Share something about your company, what you love about the industry, memorable moments, best-selling stones, ideas, etc. No re-posting allowed.  Please send us the images and text.   Contact Cecilia here emailing her the info above so you gain more brand exposure!   Do it NOW! See Our New Insta!

www.Gemstone.Org We are still in a Pandemic - Stay Safe!

Help for our members The ICA office has put together a compendium of resources related to COVID-19, its challenges, and its opportunities. If you are having a hard time navigating business and staying safe, please read through these helpful tools. https://www.gemstone.org/members/ica-covid-19-resources 

ICA Congress September 2021 in Shenzhen China!  ICA Congress Committee Meets Online! 

Gearing up for a pandemic-free world by September of next year, the Congress Committee met online to discuss the details for our China Congress, taking place just a few days after the Hong Kong September trade shows. Shenzhen is our destination, with Lucas Lu, Vice President of Shuibei Jewellery Group, and one of ICA's global Ambassadors, leading the China Congress organization. Speakers, topics, panels, a gemstone museum, Congress trade show exhibition, were just some of the many topics discussed over two hours with members of the committee, including Clement Sabbagh, ICA president, Henry Ho, ICA vice president, Altaf Iqbal, ICA board secretary, along with Phuket Khunaprapakorn, ICA Congress Committee Chair, Damien Cody, Ioannis Alexandris, Mark Tremonti, and Jessica Han. Also on the call were ICA's presidential assistant Clarissa Maciel, and ICA office staff members, Cecilia Echeverri, Claudiu Margarit, and ICA CEO Gary Roskin. See our ICA Committees here

Want to Save the Elephants? The Proceeds From These Ruby or Emerald-Set Jewels Do Just That Gemfields’ “Walk for Giants” campaign represents a big step for conservation efforts. Robb Report ... In a year brimming with cause-related jewelry campaigns, the new “Walk for Giants” initiative from the gemstone miner Gemfields and the international conservation charity Space for Giants is worth checking out. Unveiled on Monday, the fundraising and awareness-building campaign is built around two capsule collections, sales of which are designed to raise money for African elephant conservation: a 44-piece line from Gemfields, which collaborated with 12 jewelers on pieces featuring its Zambian emeralds and Mozambican rubies, and 15 sustainable fashion and accessory lines available on Net-a-Porter. ... Read More

COMES IN THREES Dad of 30 who became overnight multi-millionaire digging up huge gemstones claims he’s struck lucky for THIRD time The Sun ... A FATHER-OF-THIRTY miner who became an overnight millionaire after finding two precious gemstones has increased his fortune again by finding a third. Saniniu Laizer, from Tanzania, unearthed a rock of tanzanite worth £1.5 million just one month after earning £2.6million from two others. Tanzanite is a rare blue and violet mineral found exclusively in a mining area - just 7km by 2km - near the Mererani Hills in the north of Tanzania. Laizer made his first two finds, one weighing 20lb, the other weighing 11lb, in June. He sold them to the country's government, as is mandated under regulation intended to clamp down on the illegal trading of the stones. ... Read More

Rough, cut Rubies and sapphires from Madagascar to Myanmar feature in high-end HK exhibition Bangkok Post ... There's no rivalry between red and blue corundum, aka ruby and sapphire -- both are beautiful and treasured by jewellery lovers. The sibling stones share the spotlight in an exhibition titled "Discover The Gemstones, Ruby & Sapphire" currently staged at L'École Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts, in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. The exhibition reveals that they are both scientifically of the same mineral -- the hard and tough corundum -- with a similar chemical composition and structure. What leads to a brilliant red ruby or celestial blue sapphire is determined by trace amounts of chemical elements found within the gemstone. .... Read More

Informa Markets to hold virtual event in October Jewellerynet ... Jewellery & Gem Digital World, organised by Informa Markets Jewellery and Atelier Technology, takes place from October 27 to 29, 2020. The bespoke digital event will connect buyers and suppliers, enable effective video meetings and facilitate learning through an online programme of webinars and trade insights.  “Our new digital event platform will deliver powerful tools that will help exhibitors reach a global audience and increase sales to existing customers during this time of social distancing and beyond,” said Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery.  Catering to buyers around the world, Jewellery & Gem Digital World will be live 24 hours a day during the event period. Participation is by invitation only. Suppliers will be assigned digital Showrooms ... Read More

How oldest jet shop in Whitby is celebrating Britain's famous gemstone Yorkshire Post ... W Hamond is the oldest jet shop in Whitby and as it celebrates its 160th anniversary, Sarah Freeman discovers how the black stuff has now caught the eye of Fabergé. Daytrippers to Whitby rarely miss the chance to do a bit of window shopping at W Hamond. The shop has been trading in the town’s famous jet since the mid 19th century and as one of the last stops before the 199 steps leading to the abbey, it has become both a convenient resting place and a tourist attraction in its own right.  While some visitors leave with a souvenir ... Read More

Tiffany to Share Full Provenance of Its Diamonds RAPAPORT ... Tiffany & Co. will give consumers full details of each diamond’s route from mine to jewelry, encompassing the rough’s origin as well as the locations of cutting, grading and setting. Beginning in October, the US retailer will share the story of each newly sourced diamond weighing 0.18 carats or more, it announced Tuesday. This builds on its existing practice of disclosing the regions or countries in which its diamonds were mined, which has been in place since 2019. “Disclosing the country where each stone is crafted and set in jewelry marks an industry first,” the company said. “By taking transparency to a new level and sharing the full craftsmanship journey of its diamonds, Tiffany reinforces the brand’s commitment to ensuring that every step in the journey of its products contributes to the well-being of people and the planet.” Unlike most major retailers, ... Read More

MEMBERS ONLY Are you an ICA Accredited Ethical Member? It is part of ICA's mission to provide greater consumer confidence by lifting the awareness and improving the practices of our membership in the areas of responsible, ethical and sustainable trading. ICA has worked very closely with the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and other industry organisations to develop strategies to continuously improve the manner in which colored gemstones are traded. For this purpose, we have developed this Ethical Member Accreditation* portal for our membership. This accreditation portal is an educational tool to promote best practices among ICA members in order to improve consumer confidence and enhance industry good-will. ICA members, please sign up today! 1. Update your knowledge, become more aware of all the requirements for being an ethical and responsible gem supplier. 2. Promote the fact that YOU are accredited by the ICA. 3. Customers and consumers will feel more confident working with you and your company. 4. Your business will grow! Read more

ICA's Gems Keep Giving Fund We want to make a difference by providing timely and effective assistance which will focus on the key areas of concern: safety human rights fair work inclusiveness environmental impact resource sustainability and community amenity There will be no administration costs, so this means 100% of monies raised by the ‘Gems Keep Giving’ fund will be utilized for the defined projects.   Read more

ICA Office Update Dear ICA Members, August, 2020 – This is the month where we are usually preparing for Tucson! But there has been nothing usual about this year, and so we are still, like you, watching carefully to see what happens. In the meantime, we have Association business - supporting our 2021 Shenzhen Congress preparations, working with our Ambassadors to bring you reports from around the globe, as well as keeping our website, Facebook, and Instagram posts all up to date with excellent references for you to use in your own businesses, As Martine, Kennedy, & Maxim note above, while there are still many logistical challenges out there, good and safe business can be conducted. But please remember, we are still in a global pandemic, so do not let your guard down. Do not hesitate to reach out to fellow ICA members for words of advice, strategy, encouragement, consolation, and friendship. As always, if we can help with anything from the office, do not hesitate to contact us directly. On behalf of the President, the Board of Directors, and the ICA office staff (Claudiu, Cecilia, and Maggie),   Keep healthy and stay safe,

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