One of the most prominent leaders in the international jewellery industry today, Gaetano Cavalieri has served for the past 20 years as president of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO).

Uniting national jewellery and gemstone associations from more than 40 countries and including many of the industry’s major corporations and international associations, CIBJO is the industry’s oldest international organisation, having been established in 1926. It covers the entire jewellery, gemstone and precious metals sectors from mine to marketplace, within each of the component sectors in the various production, manufacturing and trading centres.

“The jewellery industry is more than just a business sector. It is an interconnected community where not only are we reliant upon each other within our global distribution chain, but we need to act with mutual integrity and openness to protect consumer confidence,” he stated.

In 2006, Cavalieri was responsible for CIBJO receiving a “Special Consultative Status” with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), making it the first and only jewellery and gemstone representative to be officially recognised by the international body.

Citing this as his most significant accomplishment at CIBJO, he said, “This was a turning point for we declared for the first time that the jewellery industry has a responsibility to humanity and the planet – not simply to do no harm but to play an active role in creating sustainable opportunities for our stakeholders.”

Together with the United Nations, Cavalieri also established the World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF), which is responsible for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility education in the international jewellery and gemstone industries.

He has served as president of the Italian Federation of Gold, Silver and Jewellery Wholesalers and as chief financial officer of the World Diamond Council. Cavalieri has also been a member of the Goldsmiths’ Company of London, the European Assay Association, the International Coloured Gemstone Association (ICA) and the International Executive Council of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

For more information about the “Extraordinary 40” Awards, visit jwawards.com.

As part of its 40^th anniversary content programme, JNA is casting the spotlight on the “Extraordinary 40” Awardees with special online features covering the highlights of their careers and the valuable lessons they have learned along the way. Click here to view the “Meet the Extraordinary 40” series from May to September, with new profiles published every week.