CIBJO has released the first of its pre-congress Special Reports ahead of the 2025 Congress in Paris, outlining two landmark educational initiatives for the global jewellery industry. The report was prepared by the CIBJO Marketing and Education Commission, chaired by Jonathan Kendall.

The first initiative is the CIBJO Academy, established in 2023 to serve as the primary platform for educating both industry stakeholders and consumers about the standards, principles, and terminology developed by CIBJO’s commissions and expert committees. Under the leadership of CIBJO Vice President and Dean Kenneth Scarratt, the Academy delivers educational programmes through multiple channels, including the CIBJO website, social media, webinars, and in-person events.

At the heart of its curriculum are the CIBJO Blue Books, which set definitive standards for diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls, coral, precious metals, gemmological laboratories, and responsible sourcing. In addition, the Academy is expanding its resources with a series of new guides prepared by expert working groups, covering pearls, precious coral, jade, and opal.

The second initiative is the International Fine Jewellery Academy (IFJA), a new institute to be headquartered in Milan, Italy. Aimed at students worldwide, IFJA will offer classroom learning and practical training in collaboration with leading Italian jewellery artisans and partner companies in northern Italy.

IFJA is being established as a joint effort between CIBJO; ConfCommercio, Italy’s largest trade association; Foundation Mani Inteligenti, based in Valenza and dedicated to training future goldsmiths; and CAPAC – Politecnico del Commercio e del Turismo, a professional training foundation active since 1961.

“Education and training is of paramount importance to those working across the jewellery industry and is now undoubtedly one of CIBJO’s core value propositions,” said Jonathan Kendall. “We will continue to focus and deliver on this in the coming year and beyond.”