Gemstone and jewellery industry leaders will examine the state of the trade and share their business outlook in the Master Insights Series of high-profile panel discussions from September 20 to 22 at Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW).

Part of the Extraordinary 40 programme celebrating the 40th anniversary of JGW and flagship trade publication JNA, Master Insights kicks off on September 20 with a session on the outlook for the diamond industry, entitled “From Rough to Brilliant: Charting a Course for an Exciting Future.”

Speakers include Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre; David Block, CEO of Sarine Technology Group; Baron Dilip Mehta, chairman emeritus of Rosy Blue Alliance; and Lawrence Ma, founding president of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong (DFHK), China.

On September 21, discussions will delve on “The Future of Coloured Gemstones: Opportunities and Challenges,” in the morning, while the afternoon session will tackle “Bold Retailers, Challenging Markets: Lessons in Success from the Jewellery Industry.”

Speakers for the morning session include Clement Sabbagh, director of Ben Sabbagh Bros; Damien Cody, director of Cody Opal Australia and president of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA); Richard W. Hughes, founder of Lotus Gemology and world-renowned author of the ‘Ruby & Sapphire’ books; and world-class gemstone artist Victor Tuzlukov.

Meanwhile, panellists for the afternoon session are Daniel Nyfeler, managing director of Gübelin Gem Lab; Le Tri Thong, vice chairperson and CEO of Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Co (PNJ); Prida Tiasuwan, founding chairman of Pranda Jewelry Public Company Ltd; and Ghanshyam Dholakia, managing director of Hari Krishna Exports. 

Pearl dealers take centre stage on September 22 in the session on “Pearls of Wisdom: Trends, Opportunities and Challenges Ahead” while retailers and related industries share their thoughts on “The Power of Storytelling.” 

The session on pearls will feature as speakers Jacques Christophe Branellec, CEO of Jewelmer; Jonathan Cheng, director of Rio Pearl; Robert Wan, founder of Robert Wan Group; Thomas M. Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer at the Gemological Institute of America; Yoshihiro Shimizu, CEO of Hosei Co Ltd and former chairman of Japan Pearl Exporters’ Association; and Zhan Weijian, chairman and general manager of Grace Pearl (HK) Co Ltd.

Panellists for the last session are Kent Wong Siu-Kee, managing director at Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group; Mimi Ou Yang, founder of the Hong Kong Gems Laboratory and HK Institute of Gemmology; Dong Bo, president of Kimberlite Diamond Group; and Chrisyta Lin, brand director of CHJ Jewellery.

All speakers are Extraordinary 40 awardees or their representatives.

Aside from the Master Insights series, JGW’s original programming will include informative presentations led by industry associations and experts.

Click here to register for JGW 2023.