Featured Speakers
Dr. Jeffrey Post, Ph.D.
Curator-in-charge National Gem and Mineral Collection, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Dr. Jeffrey Post, Ph.D.
Curator-in-charge National Gem and Mineral Collection, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Dr. Jeffrey Edward Post, a native of Wisconsin, received Bachelor of Science degrees in geology and chemistry from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville, and his Ph.D. in chemistry, with a specialty in geochemistry, from Arizona State University. Prior to joining the Department of Mineral Sciences at the Smithsonian Institution in 1984, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for three years in the Department of Geological Sciences at Harvard University. He was Chairman of the Department of Mineral Sciences 1989-1994 and 2014-2019, and since 1991 has served as Curator of the U.S. National Gem and Mineral Collection. Dr. Post was the lead Curator for the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals that opened in 1997.
His areas of research interest include mineralogy, gemology, and geochemistry. He has published more than 125 scientific articles in these fields. He is the author of The National Gem Collection, and the recently published: The Smithsonian National Gem Collection—Unearthed: Surprising Stories Behind the Jewels.
Tom Moses
Executive Vice President, GIA
Tom Moses
Executive Vice President, GIA
Tom Moses is EVP and Chief Research officer at GIA. In his current role he oversees GIA laboratories and Research. He also serves on the GIA board of governors, beginning his career at GIA in 1977. Moses has overseen several key research projects at GIA and has contributed to many technical publications.
Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri PhD
President, CIBJO
Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri PhD
President, CIBJO
One of the most prominent leaders in the international jewellery industry today, Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri has served for more than 20 years as president of CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation. Uniting national jewellery and gemstone associations from more than 40 countries around the world, and also includes many of the industry’s major international corporations and international representative associations, CIBJO is the industry’s oldest international organization in jewellery sector, having originally been established in 1926. It covers the entire jewellery, gemstone and precious metals sectors vertically, from mine to marketplace, and horizontally within each of the component sectors in the various production, manufacturing and trading centres.
Master of Ceremonies
Rui Galopim de Carvalho, FGA DGA
Education Specialist
Rui Galopim de Carvalho, FGA DGA
Education Specialist
Rui Galopim de Carvalho FGA DGA is a Gem Education Consultant, author and international lecturer on gemmology as well as on the history of gem materials in jewellery of cultural heritage. He has studied numerous national collections, including the Portuguese crown jewels. Founder of the Home Gemmology webinars offered during the COVID-19 lockdown, Rui is also editor of the educational account @portugalgemas on Instagram and shares gemmological content actively across social media, helping high jewellery sales associates across the world to have fact-based story telling narratives in plain language. He is associate editor of Gem-A’s Journal of Gemmology, Vice-President of Sector A and of the Coral Commission of CIBJO (The World Jewellery Confederation), member of the Communications Committee of ICA (International Colored Gemstone Association), member of the Society of Jewellery Historians, the Society of Mineralogy Museum Professionals and honorary member of LAUREL (Portuguese Association of Excellence Brands, member of ECCIA).
Speakers
Ioannis Alexandris
CEO, Gemolithos Group
Ioannis Alexandris
CEO, Gemolithos Group
Mr. Alexandris is The founder and CEO of the Company GEMOLITHOS with Offices in Germany, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Mainland China. He is Gemologist, Antique jewelry expert, Author and philanthropist. Since 1995 he is dealing with high-end Antique and high-end jewelry. Through the years, he traded important historical pieces owned by royalties. Several of his jewelry achieved international record prices.
Mr. Alexandris is researching antique jewelry in high-end, signed, antique and high-quality gems and jewelry categories. He has written several articles worldwide, and his book "Antique jewelry 1800-1939" will be published soon.
Mr. Alexandris served on the board of advisors of Antique exhibitions in the USA, Emerald Group, and he is currently Chairman Of the communication Committee at ICA. He is a Member of the Director's Circle at the Victoria & Albert Museum London and a Supporter of The British Museum in London.
He presented on the subject of antique jewelry in congresses, auction houses, TV, and to private groups In : China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, USA, Germany, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Colombia.
Zainab Ali
Gemmologist, Danat
Zainab Ali
Gemmologist, Danat
Zainab Ali Own is a gemmologist at Bahrain Institute for Pearls & Gemstones (DANAT). In addition to the tasks of testing pearls, gemstones and diamonds, Zainab offers her expertise in scientific research, teaching theoretical and practical gemmological classes and giving lectures and webinars to enthusiasts around the world.
Zainab holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with merit from University of Bahrain, a diploma in gemmology with merit from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, a diploma in diamonds grading from HRD Antwerp Institute of Gemmology and the NEBOSH certificate for occupational health and safety.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem
Executive Chairman and CEO, DMCC
Ahmed Bin Sulayem
Executive Chairman and CEO, DMCC
Ahmed Bin Sulayem is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC and has driven its growth from a start-up of 28 member companies in 2003 to the world’s leading free zone in 2022 with 21,000 member companies from 180 countries, employing over 65,000 people.
Tasked with enhancing commodity trade flows through Dubai, DMCC has introduced to the market a number of value-added products and services under Mr Bin Sulayem’s leadership. In 2022, DMCC has been named the ‘Global Free Zone of the Year’ by The Financial Times fDi Magazine, for a record eighth consecutive year.
Mr Bin Sulayem currently serves as the Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) and the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX).
Warren F. Boyd
Director of Marketing, Potentate Mining LLC
Warren F. Boyd
Director of Marketing, Potentate Mining LLC
Warren is the Director of Marketing for a Montana-based private company called Potentate Mining LLC, North America’s largest sapphire producer based in Montana. The Rock Creek Sapphire mine produces a magnificent variety of fine pastel-coloured sapphires. He is the founding director of Ontario-based Algonquian Diamond Counsellors International (ADCi), a rough diamond valuation and consulting firm that is currently under contract with the Quebec Government. ADCi’s majority shareholder is also involved in a number of African Government Diamond Valuation (GDV) contracts in Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Guinea, Liberia, and Angola.He is currently the Vice President of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), an international trade organization whose raison d’être is the promotion of coloured gemstones on the global markets. In addition, he is the Senior Gemmological Associate with Watts, Griffis, McOuat Limited, which are Canada's longest-running independent firms of geological and mining consultants.He was formerly the Director of Marketing for Vancouver-based Tsar Emerald Corporation. Warren is also the President of Canadian-based R. T. Boyd Limited, a family-owned company marketing coloured gemstones and diamonds in North America since 1956.
Evan Caplan
Evan Caplan Company
Evan Caplan
Evan Caplan Company
Evan Caplan is one of the most knowledgeable colored gemstone professionals of our time. His ability to source the world’s finest treasures has led many of those in the know to call him “the eye.” His journey with gems goes back to the 1980’s when a friend, who was in the business of colored stones needed some help for a few days. This was Mr. Caplan’s introduction to the unique and beautiful world of rare stones and during his short exposure, developed a serious interest in them. Caplan decided to seek knowledge, so he began his studies at the Gemological Institute of America where attained a Graduate Gemologist diploma.
Mr. Caplan was one of the first people to bring the unique Paraiba Tourmaline to America. He, along with several others, was responsible for the cutting and eventual sale of the world’s largest Padparadscha Sapphire.
In the past several years, Caplan has spent more time in Africa, exploring and sourcing Gems and Minerals for his business. Recently he has gotten involved in mining and is now spending even more time there. Africa is the most mineral-rich continent in the world and there is no excuse for poverty in Africa. Caplan spends a lot of time working to improve the lives of the people there. Caplan is on the Board of Directors of both the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and the International Colored Stone Association (ICA). He has recently been promoted to one of the two Secretaries to the ICA. You can find many of the treasures he has sourced in museums and private collections worldwide.
Stanley Chu
Managing Director, On Tung Jewellery
Stanley Chu
Managing Director, On Tung Jewellery
Mr. Stanley Chu is the Managing Director of On Tung Jewellery, the Perpetual Honorary President of the Hong Kong Jade Association, and chairman of the Enterprise Branding Committee of HKGCSMB(The Hong Kong General Chamber of Small and Medium Business). Stanley comes from a well-known jadeite family. His legendary father, Mr. Chu Che Keung, has been in the trade for over 50 years. His magnificent collection of jadeite is second to none.
Stanley studied in the United States since the age of 13. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in International Business at the University of San Francisco. In his early years, he was in commercial banking.
Damien Cody
Director, Cody Opal (Australia) Pty Ltd
Damien Cody
Director, Cody Opal (Australia) Pty Ltd
As a young student Damien developed a passion for gemstones. He collected rocks, fossils and minerals from around Australia and in his spare time learned to cut and polish opal.
After completing a Diploma in Business studies he worked in the Insurance and Financial Services sectors where he held senior executive positions with a number of leading international organizations.
His passion eventually led him to the opal industry where he is a Director of Cody Opal (Australia), a leading Australian opal exporting company with markets around the globe. He is also Managing Director of The National Opal Collection, a company which operates retail opal stores and museums in Australia. His companies have received Australian and Victorian Government awards for both exporting and tourism.
He is co-author of a top-selling book ‘The Opal Story’ which has been written in five different languages. Around 60,000 copies have been distributed around the globe.
In 2018 his company produced a limited release of Opal Master sets. Each set containing 216 opal samples from all of the world deposits to assist with identification, classification and grading of opal. Major laboratories and gemological institutes availed themselves of this resource and the release was quickly over- subscribed. Cody Opal Australia received a JNA Honoree award for Industry Innovation of the year for this initiative.
Cody Opal is now researching for a comprehensive new publication covering all of the World’s Opal deposits.
Damien has held various industry positions including Director of International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) and ICA Ambassador to Australia. He has served four years as Vice President of the ICA. He is Chairman of ICA’s Compliance and Sustainability committee and founder of ICA’s charity ‘Gems Keep Giving’. He served on the Opal Committee of Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA).
Annie Doresca
Chief Financial Officer, Jewelers of America
Annie Doresca
Chief Financial Officer, Jewelers of America
Annie Doresca is the Chief Financial Officer at Jewelers of America. She has been with the organization since July 17, 2008. Ms. Doresca is also a Co-Founder and the Board President of Black in Jewelry Coalition. Mrs. Doresca has overall responsibility for JA's finance and accounting, office management, human resources, presenting to key stakeholders, strategic management, and IT functions. Prior to Jewelers of America, Mrs. Doresca served as Client Manager for BTQ Financial, an outsourcing provider of financial services to nonprofit organizations. Prior to BTQ Financial, she served as Manager of Advisory Services for Nonprofit Finance Fund, which provides loans and helps nonprofits strengthen their financial health. Previously, Mrs. Doresca served as an Intermediate Analyst for Goldman Sachs Co. Mrs. Doresca earned her Master of Public Administration from New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from St. John’s University.
Sean Gilbertson
Executive Director, Gemfields
Sean Gilbertson
Executive Director, Gemfields
Sean Gilbertson graduated as a mining engineer from Wits University in South Africa having spent time in the country’s deep level gold and platinum mines. Mr Gilbertson worked as project financier for Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt and London specialising in independent power projects and public/private partnerships.
In 1998, Mr Gilbertson co-founded globalCOAL, a company that played a central role in the commoditisation of the thermal coal industry, and was appointed chief executive officer in 2001when the business was acquired by industry players including Anglo American plc, BHP Billiton plc, Glencore International AG and Rio Tinto plc. He was also co-founder of the pioneering Spectron eMetals trading platform for category I and II members of the London Metals Exchange.
Mr Gilbertson was a co-founder of the Pallinghurst Group and was primarily responsible for Pallinghurst’s coloured gemstone strategy from 2006 to 2017. After the unbundling of the Pallinghurst Group in 2018, Mr Gilbertson was appointed CEO of Gemfields Group Limited on 31 March 2018 and remains CEO of Gemfields Limited, Fabergé Limited and Kagem Mining Limited, on whose boards he has served for more than a decade.
Gemfields Limited is a world-leading miner and marketer of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones, specifically emeralds from Zambia and rubies from Mozambique. The company aims to adhere to three core values: transparency, legitimacy and integrity.
Guillermo Galvis
President, ACODES
Guillermo Galvis
President, ACODES
Guillermo Galvis is the president of the Colombian Emeralds Exporters Association and a board member of Fedesmeraldas, CDTEC and ICA. He is also Chairman of the World Emerald Symposium and a leading actor in the development of standard and responsible sourcing for the gemstone industry.
Jessica Han
Head of Asia and Africa, Gem-A
Jessica Han
Head of Asia and Africa, Gem-A
Jessica Han, FGA M.Sc., started her career at the Gems and Jewellery Trade Association of China as the Deputy Secretary General, progressing to the position of the Technology Research and International Cooperation officer in the National Gemological Technology Administrative Center in Natural Resources Ministry of China. After working in this trade for about two decades, she was appointed as the Head of Asia and Africa in 2020 by the Gemmological Association of Great Britain; since then, she has been devoted to promoting gemmological education internationally. Politically, Jessica has gained recognition as the committee member of the 93 society Natural Resources Committee of the Natural Resource Ministry of China. The role gives her direct access to provide continuous consultation to the Chinese central government and to maintain a strong linkage between the market and the policymakers for the trade. As a passionate gemmologist and an active gemstone collector, Jessica is well-known and respected internationally in the gemological industry. In 2019, Jessica was recognized as the Honorary Member of ICA due to her consistent contribution to the organization.
Joanna Hardy
Independent Fine Jewellery Specialist for Fuli Gemstones
Joanna Hardy
Independent Fine Jewellery Specialist for Fuli Gemstones
Joanna Hardy is a Fellow of the Gemological Association, lecturer, author, and Trade Warden Of The Goldsmith's Company. Hardy’s 30-plus-year career spans many facets of the jewelry industry.
The British author started as a goldsmith, then joined De Beers as a rough diamond valuer. She moved into the auction world when she started at Phillips in London. She is best known for her 14-year tenure at Sotheby’s, where she was the senior jewelry specialist and auctioneer responsible for the jewelry auctions in New York, Geneva, and London.
Elle Hill
Founder & CEO, Hill & Co
Elle Hill
Founder & CEO, Hill & Co
Elle is a renowned entrepreneur and lauded business growth expert in the diamond, gemstone and jewelry industry. Her 30 years of achievements include helping some of the largest businesses in the world, Blue Nile, and Rapaport, among them. From her early career helming the US Market's largest jewelry manufacturers to launching her own award-winning international designer jewelry retailer, bringing it public with a $10 million IPO in less than four years, and ultimately launching Hill & Co. launch and growth experts, which celebrates a decade of supporting growth in our industry.
As Founder & CEO of Hill & Co., the foremost business management consultancy working exclusively in our industry, Elle and her team of industry experts have amassed an unparalleled array of deep-area expertise and a stable of A-list clients who they help create effective business strategies which harnesses technology to drive revenue and profitability.
Douglas Hucker
CEO, International Colored Gemstone Association
Douglas Hucker
CEO, International Colored Gemstone Association
A leading figure in the international industry, particularly in the colored stone sector, Mr. Hucker , has served on the board of director of numerous trade organizations including the American Gem Society, the Jewelers Education Foundation, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, the United States Jewelry Council, the Diamond Council of America Advisory Board, the Jewelry Industry Leadership Forum, the CIBJO Presidents Council and the JCK Advisory Board. After serving twenty four years as CEO of the American Gem Trade Association, Mr. Hucker has now transitioned to CEO of the International Colored Gemstone Association.
Hucker has received numerous industry awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jewelers 24KT Club of Southern California, as well as the Sallie Morton Award, the Triple Zero Award, and the Robert M. Shipley award, all bestowed by the American Gem Society.
Laura Inghirami
Founder & Creative Director, Donna Jewel
Laura Inghirami
Founder & Creative Director, Donna Jewel
Laura Inghirami is the young Italian voice of jewelry excellence, selected in 2022 by Forbes Italia as one of the top100 Under30 leaders of the future. Laura Inghirami is a specialized consultant in the jewelry industry, journalist and professor, founder of the company Donna Jewel. Donna Jewel was born in 2017, with the mission to communicate the beauty and excellence in the world of jewelry, valorizing the stories of excellence of artisans, emerging talents, and great Maisons. Today Donna Jewel is an innovative reality specialized in tailor made consulting projects in the strategic, digital and creative field for the jewelry world. Its Instagram page @donna.jewel has more than 145.000 followers and is the most influential Instagram jewelry community in Italy, defined as one of the most influential worldwide.
Tarun Jain
Founder and Managing Director, World Academy of Design
Tarun Jain
Founder and Managing Director, World Academy of Design
Third-generation Jeweller , Tarun Jain has a legacy of learning about Jewellery designing and Gemstones from his father since childhood. Starting business at early age, Tarun started independent business in 1992 after completing formal Graduation in Arts. Studied GEMOLOGY & designing from Gubelin , GIA, CGL & various other International institutions over years. For 25 years designed and manufactured for US & Germany based brands and started formal jewellery design educational Institutions in India in 2013.
Expanded Internationally in partnership with DMCC in Almas tower Dubai & launched the new concept of "All Jewellery education under one roof" with DDA - Dubai Design Academy in 2018. In 2020 launched another Independent International brand "World Academy of Design" in technical collaboration with GEMVISION - USA & "Gulf Gem Lab" an International Gem Testing Laboratory in Sharjah.
Jing Jing
Founder, Executive Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Harper's Bazaar Jewelry
Jing Jing
Founder, Executive Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Harper's Bazaar Jewelry
Founder, Executive Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Chinese high fashion print magazine - Harper's Bazaar Jewelry; Gublen Gem lab Ambassador; Judge of several jewelry design competitions; Guest lecturer of the School of Jewelry; China University of Geosciences (Wuhan); Founder of the Bazaar Jewelry Mastery Class; Guest lecturer of several internationally renowned jewelry brands; Leading fashion critic; Curator of Jewelry Art.
Miriam Kamau
Founder and Director, Mimo Gem Trader
Miriam Kamau
Founder and Director, Mimo Gem Trader
Miriam is a trailblazer gemologist in Kenya. After graduating from high school in 1994, her father passed, ending Miriam's desire for higher education. She was hired by a gem dealer from the United States as a tea maker/receptionist in Nairobi City. Miriam was fascinated by the trade and was given a chance to familiarize herself with the business by her boss, who quickly noticed her intelligence and curiosity for gemstones.
She holds certificates from Nairobi, Kenya, and Johannesburg, South Africa in diamond and colored gemstone identification, including processing from rough to full-cut polished minerals, cutting, sorting, and marketing. She is a knowledgeable gemstone dealer, miner, and creative artisan for 17 years.
Miriam has grown successfully in the business of gemstone dealing and mining and is admired by many, she is a young woman who has beat all odds and survived a male-dominated field in Kenya. Africa. She owns Tsavorites Mines in Taita Taveta & Nosikitok Namanga in Kenya, where she practices modern mining and takes care of over fifty families in the mining industry communities.
Thanong Leelawatanasuk
Deputy Director (Technical), The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand-GIT
Thanong Leelawatanasuk
Deputy Director (Technical), The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand-GIT
Thanong is the Deputy Director of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand, which is responsible for improving and uplifting the institute’s gem and precious metals testing laboratory, research and development, and standard consultation services. He is a geologist-gemologist who works intensively in the gem testing laboratory. His expertise is advanced spectroscopy, mineralogy, and geochemistry applied to the identification of gemstones.
He started his gemologist career in 1998, mainly focused on developing the applications of advanced spectroscopy in gemstone testing. With over 20 years as chief of the gem testing laboratory, he has gained a lot of knowledge and experience in gemology and is a highly reputable gemologist in Thailand. Through many years of serving as Chief of the laboratory, he also has had opportunities to conduct many research projects devoted to color stone and diamond characterization, gemstone treatment detection, and gemstone origin determination. Thanong has also been a GIT representative in many international organizations such as LMHC, CIBJO, and RJC.
Johanna Levy
Vice President ESG, GIA
Johanna Levy
Vice President ESG, GIA
GIA (Gemological Institute of America) welcomes Johanna Levy as the Institute’s first vice president of environmental, social and governance (ESG) programs. With more than 15 years of international experience leading high-impact projects to meet and exceed ambitious ESG targets, Levy will work with teams across GIA to develop strategic programs that support employee engagement and strengthen the Institute’s mission and value proposition. She will be based in New York, reporting to Pritesh Patel, GIA senior vice president and chief operating officer.
“Establishing a broad ESG program led by such a talented, experienced and passionate professional will connect our community and business goals, driving positive results for communities, the industry and GIA, and advancing our important consumer-protection mission,” said Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO. “Johanna’s work successfully managing award-winning ESG strategies and initiatives will move GIA and the industry further on the path to a more sustainable future.”
Levy will integrate GIA’s sustainability policy and practices into the Institute’s core business strategy, developing a comprehensive ESG vision and strategy tied to the Institute’s commitment to providing consumers with trusted, independent and relevant information to help them make informed purchase decisions. Drawing on her experience in the luxury sector, she will identify and prioritize environmental and sustainability concerns, interests, and opportunities.
Dr. Edward Liu
Chairman of the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong
Dr. Edward Liu
Chairman of the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong
Dr Liu is a renowned research geologist and gemmologist who has long been engaging in the study of gem & mineral physics and mineral materials. He is a frequent speaker at gemmological conferences worldwide and has published numerous articles in many major journals on gems using new analytical testing methods. In 2002, Dr Liu was awarded the First Prize for Excellence in Science and Technology by the Chengdu Academy of Social Science.
Dr Liu is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and has been teaching gemmology for more than thirty years. He was a project specialist and convener of technical board of the "(Hong Kong) Fei Cui Testing Methods and Laboratory Management System Development Project". Currently, he is a member of the Fei Cui working group of CIBJO, a Director of the Asia-Pacific Gemstone and Technology Standardisation Alliance (AGA), a Chinese delegate to the International Gemmological Conference (IGC), a Scientific Committee member of the Dr. Eduard Gübelin Association (Lucerne, Switzerland) for Research & Identification of Precious Stones, an Associate Professor of Guangzhou Xinhua University (former Xinhua College of Sun Yat-sen University) and a member of the Hong Kong Accreditation Service Task Force on Gemstone Testing.
Ruby Liu
Guild Gem Laboratories
Ruby Liu
Guild Gem Laboratories
President and Founder of Guild Gem Laboratories Asia; Co-founder of Guild Institute of geology. Field Gemologist researching gem mines from Afghanistan to Brazil.Led the implementation of multiple Gemological standards and trade terminology to promote colored gemstones in China.18 years experience with top law firms and legal departments of multinational companies, including Ericsson and Lenovo. Co-authored of The Journey of Gemstones: From Mine to MarketTranslater of Handbook of Field Gemology
Andrew Lucas
President, Guild Institute of Gemology
Andrew Lucas
President, Guild Institute of Gemology
- President and Co-founder of Guild Institute of Gemology
- Senior Vice President of Guild Gem Laboratories Shenzhen
- President of Guild Gem Laboratories Bangkok
- 38 years industry experience including educational course development and field
Gemology.
- 28 years at the Gemological Institute of America instructing and developing courses in
Manager of field Gemology researching global mine-to-market supply chain and collecting Gemological research samples. - Published 3 books relating to field gemology.
- Published numerous articles and field reports.
Veronica Maina
Senator
Veronica Maina
Senator
Veronica Maina is UDA (United Democratic Alliance) Secretary-General from Kenya.
An advocate of The High Court of Kenya of 25 years standing. She graduated with a Master in Laws Degree (LLM) with Merit, in Public International Law, from the University of London in the year 2010, specializing in International Law of the Sea and Gender Studies; She also holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB ) Hons, from University of Nairobi besides a Postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law. She has also obtained a Diploma in International Refugee Law from the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy.
She is the immediate former Head of the Secretariat for Women in the Maritime Sector in East & Southern Africa (WOMESA), made up of 24 countries, an organization formed under the IMO INITIATIVE under the auspices of the Women & Development programme.
She is a member in good standing with the Law Society of Kenya, Advocates Africa & The East Africa Law Society. She practices in the name & style of V.W.Maina & Co Advocates in Nairobi, where she has served as Senior Litigation Counsel. She has served for a full term as a Council Member of South Eastern Kenya University. She has also been engaged in Training on Gender under Laikipia University under the Police Reform Programme and, Co-Authored a training manual on Introduction to International Human Rights.
Aaron Palke, GIA
Senior Research Scientist, GIA
Aaron Palke, GIA
Senior Research Scientist, GIA
After obtaining a PhD in Geology from Stanford University, Dr. Palke began his gemological career as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Gemological Institute of America where he is now the Senior Manager of Colored Stone Research. In this role, Dr. Palke leads GIA’s research efforts into geographic origin determination for rubies, sapphires, emeralds and other colored stones as well as improving criteria for identification of treatments for colored stones. Dr. Palke is a regular contributor to Gems & Gemology and serves on the journal’s editorial review board.
Marcelo Ribeiro
President, Belmont Group
Marcelo Ribeiro
President, Belmont Group
Marcelo Ribeiro is a mining engineer and president of the Belmont Group in Brazil. He is third-generation in this family corporation that operates across the mining, construction, real estate and agricultural sectors. Under his leadership Belmont Emeralds has grown to become a benchmark in the industry due to its responsible and state-of-the-art mining operation. Mr. Ribeiro has been in the board of directors of IBGM - the Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association for 4 years and an active member of the ICA - International Colored Gemstones Association for 15 years. In ICA he has served in several positions such as a voting Director for 6 years and as Advisor to the Board for 3 years.
Clement Sabbagh
President, ICA
Clement Sabbagh
President, ICA
With over 50 years of impeccable servicing in the Colored Gemstones world market, The Sabbagh Group is currently run by the brothers Clement and Samuel Sabbagh (Albert Sabbagh's sons), both GIA graduate Gemologists as the second generation in Mining, Cutting and Gemstones dealing; being the tradition torch passed along with the family dedication and commitment to the business.
Menahem Sevdermish
President and CEO, Advanced Quality Gemstones
Menahem Sevdermish
President and CEO, Advanced Quality Gemstones
Menahem Sevdermish, FGA D.Litt., is an expert in gem color and quality analysis and mine-to-market. He is the founder of the first gemological institute in Israel (1974), known as GIPS, which operates to this day under its new name – GWLAB. Sevdermish is the author of "The Dealer`s Book of Gems and Diamonds" and has also published articles representing unique research. Sevdermish's gem company, Advanced Quality gemstones, has been run by Kobi Sevdermish for the last 20 years and was established over four decades ago, is a mine-to-market entity, enabling the deep study of market trends and related matters. Kobi Sevdermish, DG, has specialized in transitioning rough gems to faceted gemstones and combining colors in gemstone sets and designs for present jewelry trends. Since 2003, Menahem Sevdermish has been engaged in developing Gemewizard, a digital gem-color communication, and quality analysis technology. In 2018 Gem Color Academy, an online educational arm, was created.
Darren Sherwood
Designer, Sherwood Jewellery
Darren Sherwood
Designer, Sherwood Jewellery
London-based designer Darren Sherwood studied at the world-leading centre for art and design, Central St Martins College of Art and Design in the capital. He then continued further education in the form of a BA in Jewellery/ Goldsmithing/ Silversmithing, graduating from the Kent Institute of Art and Design (K.I.A.D). Having been trained by some of the best jewellers in the industry, Darren has been fortunate enough to work with all types of precious metals and stones, ranging from antiques to the finest of delicate pieces.
Accomplished in using multiple 3D packages such as Rhino, Gemvisions Matrix and ZBrush. He has the ability to design and accurately transfer the client's vision from paper to a 3D CAD image, wax, and finally into a piece made of precious metals. Alternatively, he can take the conventional route of completing his pieces using hand-made methodology.
Darren has completed the first part of a Micro Stone Setting course with the talented Jura, based in Holland.
Chris Smith, AGL
Vice President and Chief Gemologist, American Gemological Laboratories
Chris Smith, AGL
Vice President and Chief Gemologist, American Gemological Laboratories
Chris Smith is a 25-year veteran of the gem and jewelry industry with a distinguished international career. He began his interest in gemology in 1986, when he joined the GIA Laboratory, then in Los Angeles, CA, after graduating from their graduate gemologist and graduate jeweler's programs. Although initially a diamond grader, he quickly transitioned into the Gem Identification department.
In 1991, Chris went to work for the Gübelin Laboratory of Luzern, Switzerland, where he eventually became Director of the Laboratory.
He pioneered research into areas of gemology, including the development and refinement of country-of-origin criteria.
While focusing plenty of his efforts on the determinations of country-of-origin, he also has worked extensively on the distinction between treated and non-treated gems. The origin-of-color and its identification in ruby, sapphire, diamond, coral, tanzanite and other materials, the identification of and distinction between natural and synthetic gems.
In 2003, Chris returned to the GIA Laboratory, this time in New York. As the Director of Identification Services. In December of 2006, Chris joined the American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) as Vice President and Chief Gemologist to spearhead the growth and development of their colored gemstone services. In April of 2009, Chris became President and owner of AGL.
Sophie Stevens
Director/Vice President, Sotheby's
Sophie Stevens
Director/Vice President, Sotheby's
Sophie Stevens joined Sotheby’s as Jewellery Specialist for MENA in 2019, having consulted for the company in Dubai since 2016. She travels throughout the region advising clients on buying and selling jewellery through Sotheby’s international auctions and private sales, and participates in the department’s regional exhibitions and educational events. Prior to these roles, Sophie was a Jewellery Specialist with another international auction house in London, and had previously worked in the antique jewellery and gemstone trade. A certified gemologist and diamond grader with the Gemological Association of Great Britain, she graduated in Theology & Religious Studies from the University of Bristol before completing her Master’s in Business Administration (M.B.A.) in 2019.
Ruth Benjamin Thomas
CEO and Jewelry Designer, Black Opal Direct
Ruth Benjamin Thomas
CEO and Jewelry Designer, Black Opal Direct
Ruth is the CEO of Black Opal Direct, a mine to market online sales portal for rough, polished gems and jewelry specializing in Australian opal.
Pioneering the use of social media, the Black Opal Direct YouTube channel is one of the most successful fine gem channels in the world with a subscriber base of over 200,000 and more than 1 million views per month.
Ruth trained as a conservation historian after a BA in African and Australian history and a postgrad in Communications. She has had much experience in the NFP sector, both outside industry and recently as part of the Opal Classification Committee. Ruth has contributed to and coordinated the process of industry consultation to devise a new opal nomeclature. In 2018 she presented the Committee’s draft to CIBJO in Bogata, Colombia.
A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Ruth is currently launching the ICA initiative GemWomen, a space within the ICA membership for people for come together and network, online and in person.
Wim Vertriest
Manager of Field Gemology, GIA
Wim Vertriest
Manager of Field Gemology, GIA
Wim Vertriest graduated from the Catholic University of Leuven (KULeuven) in Belgium. He obtained a masters in Geology in 2014, specializing in ‘Geodynamics & Geofluids’ and also gained his FGA and GG diplomas. Since joining GIA in 2015 at the Thailand laboratory, Wim has participated in GIA Field Expeditions on different continents focusing on ruby, sapphire and emerald mining areas. During these expeditions, samples are collected for GIA’s research and the local situation is documented. He has (co-)authored articles on new gemstone localities, updates on existing mining localities, in-depth gemological studies and treatment experiments. In his role as manager, Wim is overseeing the field gemology department and is in charge of GIA’s colored stone research collection in Bangkok.
Yogita Vichare
Director Corporate Strategy, Fura Gems Inc.
Yogita Vichare
Director Corporate Strategy, Fura Gems Inc.
Yogita Vichare is Director, Corporate Strategy and founding member at Fura Gems, which is a UAE headquartered colour gemstones mining company with mining operations in Colombia, Mozambique, Madagascar and Australia. In her strategy role with Fura Gems, Yogita is responsible for formalising the group’s strategic planning processes and ensuring implementation of key strategic initiatives. Prior to mining, Yogita spent more than a decade with international banks, based in London as a subject matter expert in the field of governance, regulations and policy.
Yogita has been recognised as ‘100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining’ by Women in Mining, UK in the year 2022 for her contributions to create safer and sustainable mining industry.
Yogita is a Chartered Accountant from India and holds Masters in Business Administration from Leeds University Business School, United Kingdom.
Kent Wong
Managing Director, Chow Tai Fook
Kent Wong
Managing Director, Chow Tai Fook
Mr. Wong Siu-Kee, Kent, joined the Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group in 1977, was appointed as Managing Director of the Company in July 2011 and re-designated as Managing Director, Corporate and HK, Macau & Overseas, of the Company in April 2021, being responsible for the Group’s overall corporate management and its development in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and overseas.
Mr. Wong is chairman of the Jewellers’ and Goldsmiths’ Association of Hong Kong, chairman of the executive committee of the Hong Kong Jewellers’ & Goldsmiths’ Association, and a board member of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation.
Mr. Wong has been feted with the highest accolade of the JNA Awards 2020, the “Lifetime Achievement Award,” for his outstanding lifetime achievements and contributions to the global jewellery community.
Dr. Hanco Zwaan, PhD, F.G.A
President, CIBJO Gemmological Commission
Dr. Hanco Zwaan, PhD, F.G.A
President, CIBJO Gemmological Commission
Hanco Zwaan is curator of minerals and gems at Naturalis Biodiversity Center and head of the Netherlands Gem Laboratory, in Leiden, the Netherlands.
Dr. Zwaan has a PhD from Free University of Amsterdam on Geology. He specialized on the formation of emeralds, but published articles on a variety of other gemmological and mineralogical topics as well. He teaches the Netherlands Gem Laboratory’s education program in association with Gem-A, London (Gemmology Foundation and Gemmology Diploma, leading to the world-wide recognised qualification FGA), and is also involved in education leading to the European Gemmology diploma (FEEG).
Hanco Zwaan is currently president of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) Gemmological Commission, dealing with nomenclature issues and laboratory best practices. On behalf of this commission he is also co-chairing a committee on gem varietal names, dealing with variety definitions and trade names.
