The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has resumed its membership in CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, after a seven-year absence. 

AGTA reacquainting itself with CIBJO means the US-based group will attend the 2023 CIBJO Congress scheduled for October 3 to 5 in India.  

“CIBJO is a vital group devoted to upholding uniform nomenclature and industry standards built on the expertise of its members. These practices reside at the core of AGTA,” said AGTA CEO John W. Ford, Sr.

CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri meanwhile said AGTA played a vital part in the upcoming CIBJO Congress, which is to take place in Jaipur, a coloured gemstone manufacturing and trading hub.

“Given the fact that the Congress is being hosted on one of the world’s most important coloured gemstone centres, there will be an added emphasis on that critically important business community. AGTA’s voice and participation will be essential,” Cavalieri added.

Ford, alongside AGTA Board President Kimberly Collins and Colorado of Mines (Mines) PhD student Jenna White, will share updates on the AGTA and Mines’ Transparent & Traceable Gemstone Supply Chains Research Project at the CIBJO Congress ahead of its official release at AGTA GemFair TucsonTM in February 2024.

The project is aimed at identifying best practices for the coloured gemstone industry and improving transparency, traceability, ethics, environmental sustainability and human rights. 

Founded in 1981, AGTA has more than 1,000 members in the US and Canada and is a leading global association for coloured gemstone professionals.