SourcingJun 14, 2023
Price, Color and Supply Trends: A Colored Stone Market UpdateMajorsJul 11, 2023
AGTA Rejoins CIBJO After 7-Year Absence
The association also announced it will present at the CIBJO Congress this fall.
CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri (right) and AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr., at the JCK Show in Las Vegas in June 2023. AGTA recently announced it has rejoined as a member of CIBJO.
Milan—The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced it has rejoined The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) after seven years.
AGTA, founded in 1981, is considered one of the leading associations in the world for colored gemstone professionals with more than 1,000 members in the U.S. and Canada.
“AGTA is pleased to rejoin CIBJO,” said John W. Ford Sr., CEO of AGTA.
“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, which is delighted to realign with CIBJO’s well-respected commissions and efforts.”
AGTA also announced it will attend the 2023 CIBJO Congress this fall, Oct. 3–5 in Jaipur, India—a significant location for colored gemstones’ manufacturing and trade.
“We are delighted to welcome AGTA back into our ranks, and particularly at this most appropriate juncture,” said CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri.
“The upcoming CIBJO Congress will, of course, focus on all sectors and activities in the jewelry, gemstone, and precious metals industries, but given the fact that it is being hosted on one of the world’s most important colored gemstone centers, there will be an added emphasis on that critically important business community. AGTA’s voice and participation will be essential.”
Related stories will be right here …
AGTA, founded in 1981, is considered one of the leading associations in the world for colored gemstone professionals with more than 1,000 members in the U.S. and Canada.
“AGTA is pleased to rejoin CIBJO,” said John W. Ford Sr., CEO of AGTA.
“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, which is delighted to realign with CIBJO’s well-respected commissions and efforts.”
AGTA also announced it will attend the 2023 CIBJO Congress this fall, Oct. 3–5 in Jaipur, India—a significant location for colored gemstones’ manufacturing and trade.
“We are delighted to welcome AGTA back into our ranks, and particularly at this most appropriate juncture,” said CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri.
“The upcoming CIBJO Congress will, of course, focus on all sectors and activities in the jewelry, gemstone, and precious metals industries, but given the fact that it is being hosted on one of the world’s most important colored gemstone centers, there will be an added emphasis on that critically important business community. AGTA’s voice and participation will be essential.”
At the congress, Ford, along with AGTA Board President Kimberly Collins and Colorado School of Mines Ph.D. Student Jenna White, will provide an exclusive update on the AGTA and Mines’ Transparent & Traceable Gemstone Supply Chains Research Project.
The project’s goal is to identify best practices in the colored stone industry and improve transparency and traceability, ethics, environmental sustainability, and human rights within it.
The initial stage of the project, which includes site visits to Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria, will have concluded at the time of the update.
The insights precede the full research release, which is planned for AGTA GemFair Tucson in February 2024.
The rejoining announcement comes three months after the death of CIBJO Vice President, Roland Naftule.
Cavalieri said Naftule was responsible for the creation and maintenance of the CIBJO Blue Book series, the organization’s set of industry standards and nomenclature.
“Roland was also one of the three founding members of AGTA and served as its president from 1983 through 1985. AGTA’s rejoining of CIBJO would have meant a great deal to him,” said Cavalieri.
AGTA’s Collins added, “I am thrilled AGTA is reacquainting itself with CIBJO, which was so dear to the late Roland Naftule, one of our founding members.”
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
WatchesJul 30, 2025
Peek Inside Zadok Jewelers’ New Rolex Showroom in AustinIts opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
