The recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
French Gemological Symposium to Focus on Diamonds
Speakers at the Sept. 9 event in Paris include Martin Rapaport, Stéphane Fischler and Alan Bronstein.
Paris—The French Association of Gemmology has released speaker lineup for its 18th Paris Gemmological Rendez Vous symposium, and it includes some of the diamond industry’s heaviest hitters.
The event is slated for Sept. 9 at L’Asiem on the city’s Rue Albert de Lapparent. It will cover diamond mining news, the current state of the market and colored diamonds, as well as the scientific, gemological and historic features of natural diamonds.
Speakers include Alan Bronstein, president of the Natural Color Diamond Association; Martin Rapaport, chairman of Rapaport Group; Richard Duffy, CEO of Petra Diamonds; and Stéphane Fischler, president of the World Diamond Council.
It also will feature the following:
--Aurélien Delaunay, director of the French Laboratory of Gemmology;
--David Fisher, principal scientist at De Beers Technology;
--Peter Karakchiev, head of the International Relations Department at Alrosa;
--Jim Pounds, executive vice president, diamonds at Dominion Diamond Mines;
--Eddy Vleeschdraeger, director at the Scientific and Technical Research Center for Diamonds and author of “Hardness 10;” and
--Feriel Zerouki, senior vice president of international relations and ethical initiatives at De Beers.
Didier Giard, president of the French Association of Gemmology, will moderate the symposium.
“This year’s symposium will be taking a comprehensive look at diamonds,” Giard said. “During a period of many challenges to the natural diamond industries, including synthetics and a volatile international market, we are very proud to host such distinguished members of the diamond industry.
“They will be giving us their considered views, backed by years of experience, on the diamond industry from many different angles.”
The one-day event will run from 9:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Seven presentations will be in English and three in French, so the association will have a constant English-French translation all day.
Tickets are priced at €210 (about $234), which includes a lunch buffet. To register, email gemmes7@orange.fr. If registering in the month of August, include giard.didier@gmail.com on the email.
The Latest

She wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.

Couture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.


The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.

The Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.

DCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.

The Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.

Marianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.

The New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.

Its app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.

The manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.

The revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.

The special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.

Here are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.

Found by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.

Our Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.

From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.

The big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.

Marie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.

At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.

Ilana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.

It was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.

The approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.

The men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.























