ICA Newsletter - May 2020

Special Edition
NEW AMBASSADORS REPORT
ICA Ambassador to Australia

By Terry Coldham

Even if they are able to travel and show their goods, will their usual customers be able to attend?

ICA Ambassador to Belgium

By Maxim Van Oppens

Many wholesalers and goldsmiths continue to work behind closed doors, investing in 3D renderings and online shops.
ICA Ambassador to Brazil

By André Luis da Silva

We all are member of an important organization aiming to promote the colored stones and trade these kinds of mineral.

ICA Ambassador to Canada

By Martine Lavoie

As for the gemstones market, except very few exceptions, the average market is lower to medium sales.

ICA Ambassador to France

By Pascale Savigny

The home office has been largely implanted throughout the country, and people are keeping social and professional connections through social network services. 

ICA Ambassador to Germany

By Claudia Hamann

It is more important than ever before to be connected with each other, together we are strong and able to move things and find solutions.

ICA Ambassador to Kenya

By Antony Zagoritis

Even if you get your shipment onto a flight, it is frequently offloaded and replaced by perishables.

ICA Ambassador to Sri Lanka

By Armil Sammoon

The mining areas have halted operations, leaving hundreds of workers without a livelihood.

ICA's COVID-19 Resources

For our m embers, the ICA has put together this small compendium of resources related to COVID-19, its challenges and opportunities.


Trade Shows
Scheduled, Rescheduled, Postponed, & Cancelled


BASELWORLD - January 28 - February 2, 2021 - CANCELLED

JCK 2020 Las Vegas - postponed to June 2021

HKTDC March Hong Kong Show - rescheduled for August 3-6, 2020

June Hong Kong Show - rescheduled for November 26-29, 2020

September Hong Kong Show - still scheduled for September 13-17, 2020


ICA Congress 2021 Shenzhen China

MEMBERS ONLY

Are you an
ICA Accredited Ethical Member?

It is fast, quick and easy! It will take you maximum 20 minutes.

You just need to agree to some statements, check boxes and sign. That’s all.

This is the perfect time to do this!

Why become an ICA Accredited Ethical Member? Here are the benefits:

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!

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 utilised for the defined projects. 

Baselworld Agreement with Exhibitors and Examination of New Platforms

Basel, Switzerland, 07 May 2020 – The MCH Group and representatives of the exhibitors at Baselworld have reached agreement on the settlement for the cancelled Baselworld 2020.

In collaboration with the Swiss Exhibitors’ Committee, an amicable solution has been drawn up, unanimously approved by the Comité Consultatif and also supported by industry associations.

Metal + Smith Introduces Virtual Trade Shows to the Jewelry Industry

“As a platform solely focused on the empowerment and growth of indie brands, we knew a virtual option had to be the next stop on our journey,” says Samantha Silverberg, senior event director for Metal + Smith. What began in New York as an alternative to traditional jewelry shows and expos in 2016, is now headed to the world wide web. 

Jewelry Festival In Italy Still Scheduled Despite Coronavirus Concerns

Italy has been one of the countries hardest hit by the novel coronavirus pandemic with a fatality rate of more than 12% as of April 4. With travel restricted throughout the world and stringent lockdown measures in place within the country, it would seem to be irresponsible and perhaps crazy to host a festival in Florence at the end of May. But as of now, organizers of a small but important gathering of jewelry and art professionals are working to keep the event alive.

Sotheby’s to hold live jewellery auctions again

Sotheby’s is resuming its live jewellery auctions, which were earlier postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. The revised sales schedule includes dates for its flagship spring jewellery sales.

The rescheduled live auctions follow a series of online sales, which achieved strong results over the past five weeks and were facilitated by Sotheby’s omnichannel strategy. The success of the virtual auctions are “testament to the resilience of the jewellery market and confirm jewellery as one of the most popular and sought-after collectibles online,” the company said....

“We are stronger than ever,” will be the message cementing Vicenzaoro

The Italian Exhibition Group is gearing up for its September show and will be pulling out all the stops to show the trade is stronger than ever after an unexpected and turbulent start to the year. With many trade shows not going ahead in 2020, Vicenzaoro (VOS), taking place September 5-9 2020, is likely to mark the start of the industry getting back together again and doing business, and the exhibition’s organisers are ready to shout from the roof tops that the jewellery trade is back in business.

Download CIBJO's Blue Books Free of Charge

To support the industry in the wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, CIBJO is waiving the fee it previously charged to non-members for downloads of the Blue Books. The CIBJO Blue Books are definitive sets of grading standards and nomenclature for diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls, coral, precious metals and gemmological laboratories, and also responsible sourcing practices. They are compiled and are consistently updated by the relevant CIBJO Commissions, whose members include representatives of trade organisations and laboratories active in the diamond, coloured gemstone, pearl, precious metals and jewellery industries.

CPAA Pearl Specialist Certification Course

This CPAA Pearl Specialist Certification Course will change the way you view the cultured pearl industry and give you a thorough and completely up-to-date education. The goal of Pearls As One is to increase awareness and appreciation of every cultured pearl variety. We want Pearls As One to increase the global market for pearls and pearl jewelry. That will benefit consumers, retailers, wholesalers, importers, processors, pearl farmers and the thousands of lives the industry supports.

British Jeweler’s Silent Auction Raises Funds for COVID-19 Relief Efforts

JCK has reported on the heroic efforts of big-name jewelry companies donating millions to COVID-19 relief efforts, as well as small jewelry brands doing their share to help make sure quarantined kids get the meals and nutrition they need and one Florida-based jeweler that’s donating pearl bracelets to show its gratitude for health care workers.

ICA Member Yehuda Kassif Shares his Marvelous
COVID-19 Drawings!

Enjoy Jeweller's Friday Flicks video selection

ICA Office Update

D ear ICA Members,

May, 2020 – 

As you know, we have been working remotely now for two months, and fully operational.

We are all safe, and we want to assure you that the ICA is here and working for you, remaining proactive and ready to help wherever we can. So as always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any requests. We are here for you.

With that in mind, as Clement mentioned to you last month, please do go to the link on our updated website page: https://www.gemstone.org/members/ica-covid-19-resources. There are some very helpful suggestions as to how you will be able to navigate through these challenging times.

On behalf of the President, the Board of Directors, and the ICA office staff (Gary, Claudiu, Cecilia, and Maggie),
 
Keep healthy and safe,