The 2025 annual congress of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) opened at the Comet Auditorium in Paris on 27th October, drawing over 250 delegates from across the global jewellery supply chain. The event marks a milestone year for CIBJO as it approaches its centenary, reinforcing its role as the guardian of industry standards, consumer trust, and ethical business practices.
Inaugurating the congress, CIBJO President Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri and Bernadette Pinet-Cuoq, Executive President of the host association UFBJOP, emphasised the importance of safeguarding transparency and consumer protection in an era of technological and social transformation. They underscored that the jewellery industry’s credibility rests on accountability, responsible sourcing, and adherence to standardised nomenclature.
Key speakers, including Cyrille Vigneron, Chairman of Culture and Philanthropy at Cartier, and Marie-Claire Daveu, Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering, spoke about the convergence of luxury, sustainability, and science. They called for deeper collaboration between creative, ethical, and environmental goals to ensure that the jewellery trade remains relevant and responsible.
A highlight of the event was the “State of the Jewellery Industry” session, which offered a comprehensive view of market trends, consumer sentiment, and sustainability imperatives. David Kellie, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council, urged the industry to focus on consumers and demand generation, stressing that millions of livelihoods depend on the strength of natural diamond sales. Feriel Zerouki, President of the World Diamond Council, remarked that sustainability must be embedded in every business model, reminding participants that “we will be judged by our actions.”
World Gold Council CFO Terry Hayman noted that record-high gold prices, driven largely by central-bank purchases, were reshaping jewellery demand, particularly in Asian markets. Platinum Guild International CEO Tim Schlick pointed to a rebound in platinum jewellery amid gold price volatility and called for coherent retail strategies to capture consumer attention.
From a trade-fair perspective, Marco Carniello, Executive Business Officer of the Italian Exhibition Group, observed that exhibitors have become more selective since the pandemic. He said fairs must now provide genuine business value and trust amid increasing digital clutter. Meanwhile, the host association, UFBJOP, stressed the urgency of clear industry terminology, cautioning that terms like “laboratory-grown diamonds” can mislead consumers and erode confidence.