ICA JOINS UN INTITIATIVE ON CERTIFICATION OF ORIGINS OF COLORED GEMSTONES

Hong Kong, Avril 15, 2013 –The ICA has joined the UNICRI (United Nation Research Institute on Crime and Justice) to develop with the assistance of the VIJI (Vienna International Justice Institute), a mechanism to certify and track colored gemstones from their countries of origin.

The initiative was presented in a meeting on April 9th and 10th at the UNICRI headquarter in Turin where selected stakeholders were invited for initial consultations.

The participants included representatives of governments of Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the Russian Federation, as well as from the luxury jewelry Brands, gem mining sector and gemological laboratories. The meeting was highlighted by presentation of case studies by Brazil and South Africa on issues related to the colored gemstones and precious metals supply chain from mine to export and beyond.

ICA President Wilson Yuen addressed the audience with a summary of the situation and recent

evolution of the industry “In the present context, tracking gemstones from their geographical origin with a realistic approach is an opportunity for the public sector, the gems and jewelry industry and the civil society to address together social, technical and environmental issues as well as illicit and criminal practices threatening our sector. This will undoubtedly enhance the transparency of the distribution chain and benefit all the stakeholders from mine to market and build up consumer confidence” said President Yuen

---