ICA Newsletter - October 2020

Ambassador's Report Yen Thi Ngoc Le, Vietnam Vietnam Gem & Jewelry Market By Yen Thi Ngoc Le   As it has been with all other countries, our gems and jewelry market has been affected by Covid-19. But there are some activities still taking place, helping to hold the market and getting ready in anticipation once the market comes back.   Market overall   • Even though the middle range fashion jewelry has been accepted in recent years, fine precious gems & jewellery has a loyal consumer following, especially during this time of crisis • Diamond, Ruby, & Sapphire are the most recognized gems, and appear to be the most popular in the current market.   Opportunities   Mining • Larger quantities of rough Ruby have been coming from the mines, especially rough in bigger sizes. • Spinel is being mined in a wide variety of strong to vivid hues, few inclusions, and high luster. • We are seeing more Melo pearls, with vivid orange body color.   Laboratory • An international trusted brand of laboratory that can issue certificates (gemological reports) is viewed as being necessary for the Vietnam gem market to support domestic trading both for suppliers and consumers.   Manufacturing • We are also seeing the need for a new fresh influx of technology, with more advanced scale for manufacturing.   Fengshui & Interior Stone Market • Vietnam is one of the hottest destinations for land, cities, and complex projects development. Asia’s culture of Fengshui in construction and interior design, together with Western and European architecture and style, reflects on the fashion and style of popular gems and jewelry. We find that ornamental and fine gems are doing quite well regardless of the overall economy. Of course, most huge projects have been suspended for now, but the smaller projects, such as the construction of individual homes, are still active.   Online Trading & Other Trading Platforms • Online shopping is strong & growing in Vietnam for most products, and yes, for fashion mass market jewelry. • For luxury range natural gem-set jewelry, we are finding that it is not easy to conduct high-end online shopping. There are issues with logistics, insurance, return policies, and yes, the tolerance of colors that display on different screens under different light sources. • Private event sales are one of the most productive platforms in our large cities.  Read Here

UPDATED Trade Shows New, Scheduled, 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. 11 - 14, 2020 - COMPLETED Jewellery Industry Virtual Fair - NEW! Virtual Show Oct. 20 - 21, 2020 AJS Atlanta Jewelry Show - on schedule for Oct. 24 - 25, 2020 Informa Jewellery & Gem Digital World - NEW! Virtual Show Oct. 27-29, 2020 International Jewellery Fair Tokyo Autumn - on schedule for Oct. 28 - 30, 2020 GEMWORLD Munich - Oct. 30 - Nov. 01, 2020 - CANCELLED GemGenève - Nov. 1 - 4, 2020 - CANCELLED Informa September HK Show - rescheduled for Nov. 9 - 13, 2020 - CANCELLED IJV International Jewelry + Watch Fair Vietnam - Nov. 19 - 23, 2020 - POSTPONED Informa June HK Show - rescheduled for Nov. 26 - 29, 2020 - CANCELLED Jubinale CHRISTMAS - on schedule for Nov. 27 -28, 2020 Jaipur Jewellery Show (JJS) - on schedule for Dec. 19 - 22, 2020 Vicenzaoro - on schedule for Jan. 22 - 27, 2021 Tucson GJX & AGTA Shows - on schedule for February 2 - 7, 2021 Palm Beach Fine Craft Show - on schedule for Feb. 12 - 14, 2021 Naples Art, Antique & Jewelry Show - on schedule for Feb. 19 - 23, 2021

2 Top Lots Withdrawn, Jadeite Necklace Sells for $8M at Sotheby’s National Jeweler Magazine ...  Hong Kong—Like almost everything else in 2020, the sale of two jewels expected to go for millions at Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale in Hong Kong Wednesday didn’t go as planned. Ahead of the sale, the auction house highlighted one special gemstone it predicted would be one of the top lots: a 118.88-carat unheated Burmese sapphire graded as “royal blue” in color by both the SSEF and Gübelin labs (pictured below). The rare cushion-shaped stone, which is surrounded by pear-shaped diamonds weighing 16.06 total carats and set in a platinum pendant, was expected to sell for more than $5 million, a spokesperson confirmed to National Jeweler when news of its auction was announced. But the lot was withdrawn ahead of...  Read More

Malawi to Borrow Leaf From Dar Mining Reforms Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam) ... MALAWI President Dr Lazarus Chakwera yesterday applauded Tanzania's mining reforms and expressed interest to borrow a leaf and, if possible, implement similar measures in his country. He was particularly delighted with bold steps that President John Magufuli's government has taken to control the mining of Tanzanite, a rare gem available only found in Tanzania. Starting his three-day state visit, President Chakwera emphasized on the importance of the two neighbouring nations to exchange better practices in protecting national resources for the betterment of their people...  Read More

See the Glitziest Jewelry Stars Wore for the 2020 Emmy Awards US Weekly ... Best Bling at the 2020 Emmy Awards . What beautiful bling! Stars didn’t need a red carpet to wear their glitziest jewels for the 2020 Primetime Emmy Awards. Everyone from Zendaya to Jennifer Aniston to Kerry Washington dazzled in show-stopping jewelry that would rival any red carpet...  Read More

Rio Tinto previews its annual showcase of Argyle pink, red, violet and blue diamonds to exclusive clientele Rio Tinto ... Rio Tinto has provided a virtual preview of rare Argyle pink, red, violet and blue diamonds from its iconic diamond mine, in one of the very last offerings to an exclusive group of collectors, diamond connoisseurs and luxury jewellery houses....  Read More

Roger Dubuis And Kaz Shirane Join Forces For Stunning Excalibur Superbia Haute Time ... Roger Dubuis is a brand that loves a challenge, wither it be technical or aesthetically of nature. For the new Excalibur Superbia, the brand joined forces with internationally renowned Japanese artist and architect Kaz Shirane and created a gemstone setting unlike any seen before. Six hundred diamonds and blue sapphires, with a total of 11 carats, decorate the case...  Read More

Gübelin eyes AI tech for origin determination Jewellerynet.com ... Gübelin Gem Lab has teamed up with Swiss tech and research firm CSEM to develop a machine learning platform that improves on existing methods to determine the authenticity and origin of a gemstone. Origin determination currently relies heavily on expert human judgment and analysis, but Gübelin Gem Lab and CSEM have partnered to automate these processes using machine learning, a key area of artificial intelligence (AI).  This new AI approach aims to increase the consistency and reliability of data interpretation, reduce potential human errors, and save time, according to the lab.  “The main benefit of deploying machine learning methods in gemmology is....  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 Board of Directors  Meets Online! 

Our very first Zoom/online full Board of Directors meeting took place on Friday September 18th, scheduled for 3 hours, we began at 4 a.m. in Los Angeles, 10 p.m. in Melbourne, and various time slots all over the globe. All 30+ Board of Directors, Advisors, and office staff were in attendance, including Clement Sabbagh, ICA president, Henry Ho and Warren Boyd, ICA vice presidents, Duncan Mclauchlan, ICA Treasurer, Altaf Iqbal, ICA board Secretary, and BJ Hackman, Immediate Past President. The shortened full day meeting focused on key priorities and projects, including a close examination of ICA Pavilions in future trade shows, our near future AEM promotions, possible GKG considered projects, and progress on the upcoming 2021 Shenzhen Congress. The meeting went on without a glitch, following the agenda and keeping the discussion focused. The Board was optimistic and determined to move the association forward and further benefit the membership. See our ICA Committees here

Celebrate the Precious World of "Gems" with François Farges's New Book Yahoo Life ... Under the editorial direction of gemology expert François Farges, a team of mineralogists, scientists, and specialists in the history of jewelry and natural history pay homage to the legendary gems discovered and iconic jewelry designs created throughout the course of history.... Read More

Collectors are paying millions for jadeite. Why is it becoming more valuable? CNA Lifestyle ... There’s an old Chinese saying that goes: “Gold has a value; jade is invaluable.” Throughout history, this mystical green gemstone has held a very special place in Chinese culture. Other than the beauty that it emits, jade was believed to bring good luck and protection to its wearer... Read More

Myanmar extends suspension period of jade mining operations until end of November XinhuaNet ... YANGON, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar extended the suspension period of operations at jade mining sites to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic until the end of November, an official from the Myanma Gems Enterprise told Xinhua on Tuesday. The Myanma Gems Enterprises previously issued a directive to jade mining companies to suspend operations at the mining sites for three months starting from July during monsoon season. "The suspension was firstly set for three monsoon months, but it was extended to Nov. 30 as a part of preventive measures for COVID-19," said Thet Khaing, general manager of the enterprise. The suspension is being practiced in ... Read More

Earth Grows Fine Gemstones in Minutes – Crystals Could Grow Up to 3 Feet per Day in Some Cooling Magmas scitechdaily.com ... Rome wasn’t built in a day, but some of Earth’s finest gemstones were, according to new research from Rice University. Aquamarine, emerald, garnet, zircon and topaz are but a few of the crystalline minerals found mostly in pegmatites, veinlike formations that commonly contain both large crystals and hard-to-find elements like tantalum and niobium. Another common find is lithium, a vital component of electric car batteries. “This is one step towards understanding how... Read More

The Story Behind the Stone: The Rarest Stone You Never See Southern Jewelry News ... There are differing explanations of what makes a stone a gem. But in those various definitions, certain characteristics invariably come to the fore. To be considered a gemstone, a true jewel, the item must be rare, durable and desirable... Read More

Jewellery Market to Witness a Pronounced Growth During 2020-2027 Deutch News ... Analysts of this research report are predicting the financial attributes such as investment, pricing structures along with profit margin. This research document has been prepared by using advanced research methodologies like primary and secondary research... Read More

World’s Largest Known Vivid Purple-Pink Diamond Could Fetch $38 Million Forbes Magazine ... A 14.83-carat fancy vivid purple-pink internally flawless diamond will be the top lot at Sotheby’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels auction on November 11. It is the largest vivid purple-pink diamond ever offered at auction. Its estimate is $23 - $38 million. Named the “The Spirit of the Rose,” it also is one of the largest internally flawless fancy vivid purple-pink diamonds ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America. Not only has it received the highest color and clarity grades, it also is classified as a Type IIa diamond—chemically the purest of all diamond crystals, often with extraordinary optical transparency. Fewer than 2% of ... Read More

Zimbabwe's Zimbaqua mine, where all the workers are women timeslive.co.za ... The Zimbaqua mine in Karoi, Zimbabwe, is unusual. While it operates like you would expect any mine to, it is those doing the mining that stand out: they are all women. The 50ha mine, 200km northwest of Harare, was established in 2019. It's all-female workforce of 30 is responsible removing aquamarine gemstones from the ground. In Zimbabwe, 15% of women work as small-scale miners, an industry which is  ... Read More

How Can Jewelers Take The 15 Percent Pledge? JCK Online ... When I interviewed Aurora James about her 15 Percent Pledge initiative—which asks major retailers to dedicate 15% of their shelf space to Black businesses—I was enthusiastic that small, independent retailers in our industry could step up to the challenge too...   Read More

Gemfields plunges to £50m loss after being only able to hold one precious stones auction between January and June This is Money UK ... Gemfields swung to a loss as Covid-19 shut its mines and cancelled crucial gem auctions. The Faberge owner and precious stones miner, which has counted celebrities such as actor Mila Kunis (pictured) among its celebrity ambassadors, said turnover had tumbled 83 per cent to £16million in the first six months of the year... Read More

A Sneak Peek At The Uber-Talented British Jewellers Not To Be Missed At This Year’s Goldsmiths Fair Vogue UK ... Britain has a long history of exceptional jewellery craftsmanship and creativity. The Goldsmiths’ Company, whose annual fair showcases many of the country’s finest maker–designers, has itself had a long history of spotting contemporary talent...  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, October, 2020 – As you read above, we had our first ever full Board of Directors meeting via Zoom. As daunting as it may sound to coordinate over 30 directors, advisors, and staff to call into an online meeting at the same time, it was pleasantly and surprisingly easy. Since February, ICA has been using an application called Boardable to communicate and schedule meetings with all of our directors. This application made it possible to schedule our bi-annual Board of Directors meeting, as well as coordinate smaller committee meetings this past summer. Committees have been using Boardable to discuss projects, and the office has been using Boardable to make general announcements, call for votes, and schedule meetings. Our timing to move online with Boardable was perfect, as it wasn't more than a few weeks later that the global pandemic hit and we were all forced to work remotely. With Boardable, we were already prepared. As Le Yen notes in her Ambassador's report above, there are opportunities to be had with proper planning ahead of time. We saw the future with Boardable. And as our successful directors' meeting proves, even in a pandemic, the ICA Board of Directors are making those plans to help all members of ICA succeed in 2021. 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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