The event will take place over 12 – 14 October at the new Grand Hyatt in Bogotá, Columbia, and will host delegates from 25 countries to discuss the state of the emerald mining industry and gemmological studies of the gemstone.

Representatives from Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Pakistan, Russia and Zambia, will be in attendance on behalf of the top eight emerald-producing countries.

Organised by Fedesmeraldas, the Colombian Emerald Federation, the event will host more than 60 guest speakers in seminars to address challenges within the industry. They will cover topics ranging from laboratory testing, consumer education and awareness, corporate social responsibility, traceability, compliance, ethics and sustainability.

Representatives from luxury brands including Van Cleef & Arpels will also be at the event along with associations including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), Dubai Multi-Commodities Center (DMCC).

Gemological Institute of America’s education manager of field gemology Andrew Lucas said the 2015 event was successful in providing delegates with a wealth of knowledge in the emerald sector.

“There was a strong emphasis on the future and a cooperative effort that would benefit the entire emerald industry. The speakers were from source, manufacturing, and consuming countries, representing all levels of the value chain,” he said.

The world’s major trade associations will also be in attendance, including the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA), China’s National Gemstone Testing Center (NGTC), Gemstone Association of China (GAC), India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Council (GJEPC), and many more. Leading gemmological laboratories will also be represented.

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IJF organiser Expertise Events has invited retailers and suppliers to donate dry rations and other relief for farmers affected by the drought in regional NSW. 

A collection point has been set up for non-perishable food items such as tea, coffee, long life milk, canned food, dried pasta and sauces, bottled water and personal hygiene products. The call is also out for pet food. 

Show organisers Gary Fitz-Roy and Judy Newman said the relief effort commenced at Expertise Events’ Stitches and Craft Show in Newcastle and was “a huge success.”

“So far we have delivered supplies to Muswellbrook and Merriwa, and for the next drop over the Father’s Day weekend, we plan to go even further afield, aiming to make it a happy weekend for farming families,” Fitz-Roy said.

The drop-off zone will be open during the IJF from 9:30am – 6pm on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 August and 9:30am – 3pm on Monday 27 August.

“We hope the industry can join us in helping farmers in need by providing whatever you can,” Fitz-Roy added.

As previously reported, the IJF will open this Saturday at the International Convention Centre, with more than 170 exhibitors showcasing their products.

Indeed, many new brands will be launched including three from Duraflex Group Australia and one in partnership with Nationwide Jewellers.

A number of international exhibitors will also be in attendance for the event, including companies from the US, India, Hong Kong and the UK.

A wide range of seminars, hosted by Expertise Events, is on the cards.

Lab grown versus natural

Saturday at 3:00pm, ALTR Created Diamonds president Amish Shah will join Gem Studies Laboratory owner Bill Sechos for an in-depth discussion about the evolution of synthetic diamond technology with questions open to the audience in Lab Grown Vs Natural – The Diamond Shift.

The panel will discuss the creation of synthetic diamonds and how they can be customised and valued. It is sure to be an informative discussion for those who are looking to add synthetics to their store.

Rent is killing my business!

On Sunday at 8:30am, Phillip Chapman, the chairman of Lease1, will join Joshua Zarb, the general manager of Leading Edge Group Jewellers for a panel tackling the issue of ever-rising rental costs.

The pair will discuss how retailers can look to stay afloat during the ebbs and flows of business while ensuring the cost of premium location and real estate doesn’t drag down their income.

Zarb and Chapman will also share their forecasts of future rental trends and share advice on how to negotiate a better deal with a landlord, or strategise to break or change existing leases.

Branded versus non-branded

Editor of Better Homes and Gardens, Julia Zaetta has 38 years’ experience in publishing and has worked across print, digital, television and radio throughout her career.

In Branded Vs Non-branded – A Consumer View, Zaetta discusses the change and evolution of consumer buying habits, be it the desire for branded items,  ‘unique’ products, or cost-driven purchases.

Zaetta’s insights will offer both suppliers and retailers a glimpse into consumer shifts, emerging habits or buying changes, and will provide sound advice on how to capitalise on them.

Independent Retailers Conference

Also hosting a number of informative on-floor sessions with guest speakers spanning across the three days, the Independent Retailers Conference covers everything from how to recycle precious scrap metals, to gemstone histories:
• Using social media to market your business
Sylvia Huang, Founder of The Social Potatoes. 10:30am, daily.
• Using customer interactions to achieve incremental revenue increases
Nick Miller, vice-president and sales leader of Podium. 11:30am, daily.
• What to do with your scrap metals
Christopher Botha, operations manager, Pallion. 12:30pm, daily.
• Presented by the Gemological Association of Australia
Saturday 25 August, 1:30pm – Tony Smallwood
Sunday 26 August, 1:30pm – detection of synthetic diamonds
Monday 27 August 1:30pm – Kathryn Wyatt

More reading
Buying group news for 2018 International Jewellery Fair
Guide to the 2018 International Jewellery Fair
At the show: new equipment, tools and services
International Jewellery Fair 2018 – Show and Tell