The jewellery industry, particularly the pearl and coral sectors, can play a critical role in supporting sustainability and positive environmentalism according to experts who participated in a seminar co-organized by CIBJO and the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), which took place January 22 at the VICENZAORO January show in Vicenza, Italy.

Entitled "Green and Blue Jewellery, Environmentally Sustainable Luxury," the seminar focused on the marine ecosystem, where fully sustainable gem production (particularly of cultured pearls and precious coral) relating to the ability of biological systems to remain diverse and productive over the course of time, is feasible.

Dr. Laurent Cartier, a pearl and gemstone specialist at the Swiss Gemmological Institute in Basel, Switzerland, and one of the world's preeminent experts in sustainability in the cultured pearl sector said that not only does pearl farming offer economic development opportunities to remote communities, it also has the potential to be a sustainable luxury product, and a great medium to engage with and educate consumers.

Shigeru Akamatsu, who is a senior researcher at the Mikimoto Pearl Research Laboratory in Japan, and also a Vice President of CIBJO's Pearl Commission spoke about the company’s "zero emissions pearl farming" policy, which eliminates the release of industrial waste into nature during the pearl farming process.

Justin Hunter, founder and CEO of J. Hunter Pearls in Fiji and President of the Fiji Pearl Association pointed out that the pearl-bearing oyster is a filter feeder by nature, with one of the highest clearance rates,  and it is often referred to as an "indicator species," inasmuch as any decline in water quality has a direct impact on oyster health, resulting in poorer pearl quality and increased oyster mortality. 

Jacques Christophe Branellec, Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President of Jewelmer, a Philippines-based international luxury brand cultivating South Sea pearls and producing fine jewellery and also a Vice President of the CIBJO Pearl Commission emphasised the close association between responsible social practices and responsible environmental management.

Rui Galopim de Carvalho, founder and editor of Portugal Gemas, a gem and jewellery digital educational platform, and Vice President of CIBJO's Coral Commission. stressed the importance of educating the public about the difference between shallow-water common coral, some of which have been declared in danger of extinction, and precious coral species, which live at considerably greater depths beneath the ocean, none of which are considered so threatened by the world wildlife authorities.

He added that precious coral relies on natural growth for rejuvenation, and sustainability can be maintained mainly by ensuring that production levels remain below the ability of the coral reefs to grow and regenerate on their own.

The seminar was opened by CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri and IEG Executive Vice President Matteo Marzotto, both of whom stressed the commitment of the two organisations toward educating the jewellery industry about social, economic and environmental sustainability. Closing words were delivered by Corrado Facco, IEG's Managing Director, who also serves as Vice President of CIBJO, with special authority over the confederation's CSR programme. The seminar moderator was Steven Benson, CIBJO's Director of Communications.

It was the latest event in CIBJO and IEG's joint programme, endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), to support Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability in the international jewellery sector. 

Pic caption: Gaetano Cavalieri (fourth from left) and Corrado Facco (fifth from left), flanked by participants in the 'Green and Blue Jewellery, Environmentally Sustainable Luxury' seminar (from left): Shigeru Akamatsu, Jacques Christophe Branellec, Justin Hunter, Rui Galopim de Carvalho, Steven Benson and Laurent Cartier.