Asian Jewelry Groups Launch International Council

RAPAPORT… Two Asian organizations have formed a cross-border gem and
jewelry industry group, aiming to improve international relations within the
trade.



The Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) and the
Jewelry Trade Center (JTC) have partnered to create the JTC-AIGS Leaders
Council (JALC), a forum for discussing pressing issues within the industry, the
groups said Tuesday.



“JALC is an initiative to enhance knowledge, improve skill
and align the global and local gems and jewelry industries, and to bring about
positive change,” said Barbara Wheat (pictured), vice president of international relations
and business development for the Ho Group, AIGS’s parent company.



The council will comprise jewelers, gemologists and other members of the trade, initially serving a five-year term. They include Jacques Prades,
Pornsawat Watanakul, Masaki Furuya, Peyton Kelly, Joseph Belmont and Niels
Hansen. JTC founder and president Henry Ho will chair the first meeting in
Bangkok in September.