One Voice The 38th World Diamond Congress, the biennial meeting of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) that was hosted in Mumbai by the GJEPC, ended with a resolve to unitedly tackle pressing issues like finance, lab-grown diamond nomenclature, SMEs, generic diamond promotion and much more. At the conclusion, WFDB president Ernie Blom urged diamond exchange presidents and members to join hands to boost the global presence of the trade organisation. IDMA president Ronnie Vanderlinden, in a press note, expressed concern over the closure of diamond manufacturing units in smaller diamond centres like Armenia, Namibia, South Africa, Russia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. He also indicated that diamond manufacturing was dwindling in China, which is down from a peak of 40,000 cutters to less than 5,000. Echoing Blom’s sentiments, Vanderlinden, too, said that the time may have come for the diamond trade to unite under a single header and speak with a single voice on behalf of its members. For the Cover Story, US-based journalist Cynthia Unninayar travelled to Bogota, Colombia, for the Second World Emerald Symposium, which discussed the challenges facing the emerald industry along with talks on industrial mining, geology, gemmology, origin, treatments, new technologies, jewellery and more. Vivek Shah of Karma Designs, Ahmedabad, outlines jewellery trends for the coming year in Industry Insight, while Italy Trends showcases design directions from the recently concluded Vicenzaoro show.
Solitaire International is India’s leading B2B magazine on the gem and jewellery trade. With more than 20 years behind it, the monthly publication is today recognised in India and the world over as a quality publication in trade journalism. The magazine is referred to by the global trade sector for information on India and its industry. Solitaire International has a readership of the entire organised sector in the Indian jewellery industry and is distributed to all 5500 members of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, India’s apex body for the trade. In addition to fixed subscriptions, the magazine is also circulated in over 25 top international trade shows of repute. A personal copy reaches the management of leading jewellery retailers/chains/wholesalers in the US, Europe and the Far East; rough and polished suppliers; mining companies; and financial/industry institutions worldwide.