CIBJO, an international confederation of national jewelry trade organizations, has released a new guidance report for the cultured pearl industry.
The update primarily addresses new classification of “saltwater” cultured pearls and disclosure requirements on the “treatment” processes used in cultivating “colored” cultured pearls. The report reinforces Mastoloni’s position of “full” disclosure in our industry which better supports consumers’ needs for complete transparency in the world cultured pearl industry.
About CIBJO:
CIBJO’s purpose is to encourage harmonization, promote international cooperation in the jewelry industry, and to consider issues which concern the trade worldwide. Foremost among these is to protect consumer confidence in the industry.
CIBJO pursues these objectives through informed deliberation, decisions reached in accordance with its statutes, and proactive communications with member national organizations and the trade.
The Pearl Commission of CIBJO released its special report ahead of the 2010 CIBJO Congress on February 19 in Munich, Germany. In the report, the commission reviewed a number of amendments to the Pearl Blue Book.
Among the amendments that had been ratified at the 2009 Congress in Istanbul was a requirement to disclose a treatment achieved during the “Akoya” cultured pearl’s growth as “color induced cultured pearls.” The treatment consists of injecting metal fluids into the pearl’s sac to induce varying colors, depending on the metal used.
The reports also mentions a change to Clause 4.2.8 in the Blue Book, which states that when making reference to a saltwater cultured pearl the words “cultured pearl” needs to be preceded by the word “saltwater.”
A complete copy of the CIBJO Diamond Commission Special Report can be downloaded at: http://download.cibjo.org/special_pearl_report_february_2010.pdf.
For more information about cultured pearls, visit:
US Cultured Pearls Market to Exceed $1.6 Billion by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Did you know that pearls are also cultivated in Vietnam? Here is a nice article about the pearl cultivation industry in Phú Quốc. Phú Quốc (known as Koh Tral by Cambodians) is the largest island of Vietnam. The island is part of Kiên Giang province.
Lady Gaga has done it again! The singer known for her artistic and avant garde style of dress wears a totally unique and stunning outfit to the annual Amfar fundraiser in New York City this February: topped with her face covered in beautiful pearls!
Visitors to Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art can enjoy a special treat – the exhibit “Pearls” opened earlier this week. According to GulfTimes.com, the exhibit was introduced by HH Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad and numerous high-profile guests who had travelled from around the world just to be at this special and once-in-a-lifetime event.
The MIA will show a lovely exhibit, ‘Pearls’ available from January 30th through June 5th. According to The Peninsula On-line: Quatar’s leading English Daily, the exhibit will feature more than 500 pearl objects including well known pearls such as The Hope Pearl and the Pearl of Asia. This exhibit in Quatar is intended to be both for education as well as the pleasure of the guests – as they see many stunning pearls and fine pearl creations from across the centuries.
Valentine’s Day is only a month away. Time to start planning those romantic gifts for your wife, girlfriend or that special woman in your life. The gift of pearls is the ideal choice for so many. 