Connect with us

International News

CIBJO report considers listing gem labs complying with Blue Book Standards

Published

on

With less than a month to go before the CIBJO Congress 2025 opens in Paris on 27th October, the seventh pre-congress Special Report has been released by the CIBJO Gemmological Commission, chaired by Hanco Zwaan.

“There have in recent years been concerns expressed about gemstone reports issued by different labs for the same stones, with different and sometime contradictory findings,” said Hanco Zwaan. “This has brought into question the qualifications of the laboratories issuing the reports, taking into consideration that, worldwide, there is very little official oversight as to what are the requirements for an organisation to claim to be a gem testing laboratory.”

Central to the proposed listing would be the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Blue Book, which outlines management and technical guidelines for gem labs, aligning with ISO Standard 17025. Other relevant Blue Books cover diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls, and precious coral.

According to Dr. Zwaan, the system would allow the trade and consumers to clearly identify laboratories that operate with quality management systems and transparency. “The results given in reports often have a significant impact on the value of the item being reported upon,” he explained.

A key document that would have to be applied by listed labs would be the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Blue Book, a mammoth opus that is compiled by the Gemmological Commission. Providing guidelines for the management and technical operations of gem labs, it complies with and expands upon ISO Standard 17025, which is the internationally recognised accreditation management systems for testing and calibration laboratories. Also relevant are CIBJO’s Blue Books for diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls and precious coral.

The Gemmology Special Report also reviews progress on the forthcoming CIBJO Jade Guide, highlights the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee’s work, and examines the increasing role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in gemmology.

Continue Reading
Advertisement JewelBuzz Banner
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted

International News

VO Vintage Returns To Vicenza With Prestigious Jewellery, Watches and Collecting Culture

The B2C Marketplace Will Bring Together 52 Italian and International Dealers, Unique and Collectable Pieces, and A Programme Of Talks and Meetings With Experts, Collectors and Leading Figures In Watchmaking Culture

Published

on

                                                     

Vintage jewellery and watches will once again be main features in Vicenza from 4th to 7th September with VO Vintage, the B2C marketplace where a selection of leading Italian and international dealers specialising in vintage jewellery and collectable timepieces will gather in Hall 8.1 at Italian Exhibition Group’s Expo Centre.

An off-shoot of Vicenzaoro’s experience in meeting the growing demand of an increasingly informed and keen audience, VO Vintage has grown with each edition, asserting its identity as a leading event for collectors, enthusiasts, dealers and experts.

The format combines a highly curated selection of items with a strong cultural and experiential dimension. Besides the chance to purchase unique and valuable pieces, visitors will be able to meet specialists, learn more about the history and craftsmanship of the objects, and engage with a like-minded community.

With a selection of 52 dealers, 29 Italian and international jewellery retailers and 23 specialist watch retailers, the September edition will be 25% larger than last year, matching the variety of products that visitors were able to enjoy in January.

Matteo Pollini, Exhibition Manager at Italian Exhibition Group Explained:

“VO Vintage’s growth also reflects the younger generations’ interest in the world of vintage as they are increasingly drawn to the opportunity to discover and purchase items with a history, identity and value that can extend beyond the commercial sphere.”

which organises the event during Vicenzaoro September. “We blend passion, expertise and discovery, creating an environment where the public can approach collecting with greater awareness.”

PRESTIGIOUS VINTAGE JEWELLERY AND WATCHES

From unique 20th-century pieces and valuable icons to watches that have shaped the history of watchmaking, VO Vintage offers a journey through historic companies, rarities and items of particular interest to collectors.

One of the most eagerly awaited returns is Spangaro & Co., which will be back with a preview of its famous The One auction event, adding a further highlight to the exhibition programme for fine watchmaking collectors and enthusiasts.

The pre-owned watch line-up will include Antonio Nocco’s Il Quadrante, Prezioso, Vintage Watches Milano, Gioielleria Cenciarini and Casciola dal 1950.

Vintage jewellery will be represented by Zagari, Neapolitan jewellers who have been specialising in vintage signed jewellery, old-cut diamonds and coloured gemstones for five generations; E.L.A. Antichità from Bergamo, a leading name in Italy amongst enthusiasts of period and vintage jewellery for 25 years; and the I Santi Medici art gallery in La Spezia, which deals in period jewellery from aristocratic collections.

For collectors who place particular emphasis on the quality of stones and gems, Italian Vintage Jewellery from Crema, founded by two gemmologists with experience in international diamond and jewellery companies, will be in attendance.

From the Netherlands, EL&L Finery, run by Lisa Finkelman van der Plas, who, following in her family’s footsteps, is renowned for collectable European pieces ranging from late 19th to early 20th-century antiques to vintage items from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

New entries will include Thomas Huijbrechts, also from the Netherlands, Twinkle D from Monaco, and Nishyda, Daniel Nessim, Excellent Diamond and Fabiani Group from Italy.

A WEEKEND OF PASSION AND INFORMATION

VO Vintage also asserts its identity through a programme of events. An integral part of the experience is its agenda of meetings, talks and in-depth sessions that offer the chance to gain a first-hand understanding of the timepiece world’s history, craftsmanship and evolution as well as to delve into the universe of collecting, not only through the rare pieces on display, but also through the stories and the people involved.

On Saturday, 5th September, Dody Giussani, editor of L’Orologio magazine, and Pietro Pannone, founder of Ghiera Orologi and co-author of the Laboratorio podcast, will be recording a live episode on the theme Watchmaking that speaks Italian to the world dedicated to the challenges of managing a major watchmaking group: from distribution to the differentiated management of licences and in-house brands.

Massimo Carraro, President and CEO of the Morellato Group, will be taking part in a discussion on the business model of a group that now boasts 14 in-house brands, 7 licensed brands and 5 distributed brands, including Sector, Philip Watch, Karl Lagerfeld, Maserati, Fossil, Emporio Armani and Diesel.

The event aims to highlight the increasingly central role of outreach and community building in the contemporary watchmaking world by comparing expertise, experience and new ways of enhancing watch culture.

The Watch of the Year 2026 awards ceremony (on invitation only), an award assigned by L’Orologio magazine readers, will take place in the evening.

On Sunday, Irene Baiardi, watchmaker and Chamber of Commerce-accredited expert at Gioielleria Orologeria Baiardi Andrea in Bologna, will present The Art of the Chronograph: iconic companies, mechanics and a glossary for collectors, an in-depth exploration of how the chronograph works through the process of reassembly, covering both the mechanisms and history of watchmaking, to delve into the chronograph’s appeal and tradition.

Watch Insanity will be presenting two events. Editor-in-chief Michele Mengoli and publisher Jacopo Giudici will be bringing DEEP-X to VO Vintage, the collective project celebrating Watch Insanity’s 10th anniversary with a one-of-a-kind timepiece and an ultra-personalized Made in Italy movement, outlined by Riccardo Paradisi, founder of Paradisi Watches, Giancarlo Rota, operations director at Oisa 1937, and watch designer, Carmelo Amalfi (Saturday).

On Sunday, the event entitled The Italian micro-brand out to conquer the world will focus on Venezianico, a company that has achieved a turnover of 15 million euros and an annual production of around 40,000 watches.

Continue Reading

Trending

JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.

We would like to hear from you...

GET WHATSAPP NEWS ALERTS

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x