Welcome Address by Damien Cody (ICA President)

Welcome Address by Roseli Duque (IBGM President)

Roseli Duque and her special guests warmly welcome attendees to the 2025 ICA Congress.

Congress Introduction Address by Marcelo Ribeiro (Congress Chairman)

The Chairman of the ICA Congress 2025 has guided the creation of the Congress schedule. He has also played an integral role in selecting the fantastic Brazilian facilities for this event. As a 15-year active member of ICA and the third generation of this family corporation, Belmont Emeralds welcomes you.

Master of Ceremony Remarks

Who could make anyone feel more welcome to the Congress than Rui? As the Master of Ceremonies, he will make announcements and introduce presenters. He will also keep you up-to-date on events and what's happening.

Beyond the Surface: Challenges and Opportunities in Brazil’s Color Gemstone Sector

Moderator: Carla Christina Fernandes Pinheiro. Home to an incredible diversity of colored gemstones, Brazil plays an essential role in the global trade. However, navigating market access, regulations, and technological shifts remains challenging. This session brings together industry leaders to explore sustainable practices, innovation, and strategies for strengthening Brazil’s competitive edge.

Coffee break

Brazil’s Gemstone Industry: A Leader in Compliance and Sustainable Practices

Moderator : Manoel Bernardes. Brazil’s commitment to high compliance and sustainability standards is shaping the future of its gemstone sector and could serve as a global benchmark for responsible gemstone mining. However, achieving these standards presents challenges, particularly for small-scale miners, who often struggle with access to legal frameworks, financial resources, and technical support. This session will explore how Brazil is balancing environmental and ethical responsibilities with the realities of gemstone mining.

Featured Speaker: Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri PhD - Evolution of Responsible Sourcing Practices in the Jewelry Industry

This session will provide a 25-year overview, not simply academically but also through Gaetano’s own perspective, because it mirrors his own history in the leadership of the jewellery trade. It will also glean from experiences he has had as a consultant to both trade bodies and governments. Given CIBJO’s own scope, as a confederation uniting the full expanse of the business, it will cover developments in all the various sectors of the trade, both in terms of product categories and in terms of the chain of distribution, from the mine to the retail jeweler. Consequently, developments in the diamond and pearl sectors will be covered, in addition to colored stones, but that is inevitable in this narrative, because developments in one product category influenced developments in others

Lunch

Field Gemology: Understanding the Story of Gems

Field gemology is more than just studying gems in the field. It is trying to better understand how gemstones impact everything surrounding them, whether that is the environment or the people working with them. It is only when we understand the full picture of the gem that we’ll start to appreciate the true value of these special items. It is critical for all of us to develop a holistic view of our gems, while also recognizing that could mean different things for every individual or organization. During this presentation, we’ll take a look at how gemstones, communities, mining and the source are all connected and how understanding these complexities can help us address challenges we face daily.

The Past, Present and Future of Gems and Jewelry from Brazil

Ioannis Alexandris, CEO of Gemolithos and renowned jewelry historian, will present "The Past, Present, and Future of Gems and Jewelry from Brazil" at the ICA Congress 2025 in Brasília. His session will explore Brazil's rich gemstone heritage, current market trends emphasizing transparency and sustainability, and future challenges and opportunities, including ethical mining practices, technological advancements, and global market expansion. The presentation will feature a curated selection of historically significant and contemporary Brazilian gems and jewelry that have achieved international acclaim.

Gemstone Promotional Spotlight: Empowering the Global Gemstone Trade Through Consumer Connection & AI Innovation

The global gemstone industry stands at a pivotal moment. In the face of rising tariffs, evolving consumer expectations, and a rapidly changing digital landscape, GPS is presenting a new model for trade growth- driven by Agentic AI and consumer engagement. At ICA Congress 2025, GPS will unveil how intelligent agents, and personalized education can transform how gemstones are discovered, selected, and sold- while preserving the craftsmanship, ethics, and tradition that define the trade. Highlights include: 1. Introduction to A first-of-its-kind platform built specifically for the gemstone trade and its consumers. 2. Intelligent AI agents that guide clients through gemstone selection based on personal preferences, values, and style. 3. Tools that empower retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, brands, and institutions through personalized commerce, digital education, and omnichannel storytelling. 4. A model that brings educated consumers directly to retail, lifting demand across the entire gemstone ecosystem. 5. A call to action to co-create the future of gem commerce with purpose-built, trusted, and inclusive technology. To learn more, explore partnership opportunities, or collaborate with GPS, please reach out to us at [email protected] , or contact Joe Menzie directly at [email protected] or Frances Diniz at [email protected]

Break

Sri Lanka 2050: The Silk Route Gem Hub for Global Trade Dominance

Armil Sammoon, a fifth-generation gem trader from a family that has transformed global gemstone markets for over a century, will present Sri Lanka as the ultimate springboard for the industry to maximize profits. Leveraging Sri Lanka’s historic Silk Route legacy, world-class ports (Colombo, Trincomalee and Hambantota), compact yet resource-rich landscape, and captivating beauty, Armil will outline how dealers can harness Sri Lanka’s trading and manufacturing prowess to thrive along other countries. He will highlight Sri Lanka’s ability to source, process, and distribute gemstones from local and global origins, positioning it as the future epicenter of the gemstone trade by 2040. Attendees will learn strategies to leverage Sri Lanka’s efficient ports, diverse gem inventory, and cultural allure to boost margins and access global markets, ensuring long-term profitability in a competitive landscape.

Responsible Sourcing and Relevance to Color Gemstone, Jewelry and Mineral Industries

This presentation will focus on “Responsible” sourcing as it relates to colour gemstone artisanal mining and cutting communities. Do we, as individuals or an industry, have a responsibility? It is a choice. This ages old industry, our global family. Is it “sustainable”? The mineral economic opportunities from earth and sea come into the hands of artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) through hard labor, sacrifice, and good luck. While relating these rich stories associated with the lands, the cultures, and the proud people that are the cornerstone of our trade, the key to securing consumer trust in the jewelry, gem, and mineral industry, is by embracing transparency. We take from the earth, what can we give back? Investing in ASM communities, be it education, value-added enterprises, land stewardship, health and safety, equitable opportunities; we are investing in the future of our industry. We are aligning with the United Nations Social Development Goals. We counter negative views of gemstone mining through positive action. Our industry expands the relevance of our labour and craft. “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” - Gandalf

How Can Independent Appraisal Practices Contribute to Colored Stone Business

The general perception of gem and jewelry appraisal/valuation is to obtain coverage for insurance only. Nevertheless, the appraisal profession offers a great variety of additional value related to services. An independent opinion of value related services. An independent opinion of value and market information is beneficial to global colored stone business from the manufacturer to the consumer. While success in the traditional gem business remains to be experience based, new practices, such as responsible jewelry trading, are in need of a third party for verification of the goods. Similarly, extending the most updated information from laboratories to the consumer level may well be achieved via independent appraisals. In an ever-changing world, thanks to advanced technology and brand-new concepts, consumers should feel more comfortable having a third-party opinion on their purchase. This is viable through independent gem and jewelry appraisers/valuers cooperating with the global colored stone trade to communicate new developments to the consumer.

Bus Departure from Royal Tulip Brasilia Alvorada

Dinner at Mezanino

Get ready for a night to remember at Mezanino, the iconic restaurant perched 25 meters above ground at the Brasília TV Tower—one of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, designed by Lúcio Costa and inaugurated in 1967. With sweeping panoramic views of the Monumental Axis, the Ministries Esplanade, and the heart of Brasília, Mezanino offers a truly unique setting where architecture, culture, and gastronomy come together. On this special evening, Mezanino will come alive with the energy of Carnaval—an upbeat celebration of Brazilian music and joy. Come ready to dance, enjoy vibrant performances, and immerse yourself in the rhythms and colors of Brazil's most iconic party, all set against the dazzling skyline of the capital.