World Jewellery Confederation - CIBJO

What World Jewellery Confederation - CIBJO does

The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) is a non-profit international confederation that develops and maintains industry-wide grading standards and nomenclature for the diamond, coloured gemstone, pearl, coral, precious metals, gemmological laboratory, and responsible sourcing sectors. Founded in Paris in 1926 as BIBOA and restructured under the CIBJO banner in 1961, the organisation is headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, operates with a small secretariat of approximately 30 employees, and counts national and international trade associations from more than 45 countries plus leading commercial bodies among its members. Its flagship product is the Blue Books series, recognised as the industry's common reference and cited as primary source material in ISO 18323 (2015) and ISO 24016 (2020), with various Blue Books incorporated into national legislation in multiple countries. Supplementary offerings include the Retailer's Reference Guide, Do's & Don'ts Guide (available in 16 languages), Responsible Sourcing Toolkit, Jewellery Industry Greenhouse Gas Measurement Initiative, ESG Measurement Guidelines, and the ESG and Sustainability Reference Guide, plus training through the Sustainability Officer certification with Intertek Italia and the International Fine Jewellery Academy (IFJA).

CIBJO operates a freemium distribution model in which all standards documents, guidance, and educational content are provided at no cost, with revenue derived from membership dues and partner-supported programmes. The organisation holds the unique UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) consultative status granted to a jewellery-sector body since 2006, is a member of the UN Global Compact, and engages directly at UN headquarters through the High Level Segment. Annual Congresses rotate across host countries (the 2025 Congress was held in Paris under the High Patronage of President Macron; the 2026 Centenary Congress will be held in Vicenza), while the Jewellery Industry Voices webinar and seminar series (launched April 2020, now in its seventh season) provides continuous engagement with the industry through VicenzaOro live-streams and a dedicated YouTube archive. Strategic partnerships with Kering (Generation Award X Jewelry), Intertek Italia (sustainability certification), the Italian Exhibition Group (VicenzaOro seminars), and the World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF) extend the organisation's reach into luxury maisons, assurance providers, trade-show audiences, and CSR education.

Name

World Jewellery Confederation - CIBJO

Legal name

CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation

Website

https://cibjo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CIBJO is a non-profit confederation founded in 1926 (headquartered in Bern, Switzerland) that develops and publishes the Blue Books series of grading standards and nomenclature used across the global diamond, coloured gemstone, pearl, coral, precious metals, and gemmological laboratory sectors, serving national trade associations from more than 45 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Standards and Trade Association Services for Jewellery, Gemstones and Precious Metals

NAICS

Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Certification & Training Content Publishing (Exam Prep, CE/CPD) (MPAJACAL)

Keywords

• Jewellery industry standards
• Gemstone grading nomenclature
• Responsible sourcing frameworks
• Precious metals classification
• Jewellery sustainability certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Standards and guidance documents: CIBJO makes its Blue Books (definitive grading standards and nomenclature for diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls, coral, precious metals, gemmological laboratories, and responsible sourcing), Retailer's Reference Guide, Responsible Sourcing Toolkit, Do's & Don'ts guide, and other guidance documents available at no cost to the industry. The organisation does not charge for these resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CIBJO is a non-profit international confederation that develops and maintains the jewellery, gemstone and precious metals industry's common language through its Blue Books series and associated guidance documents, delivered as free downloadable PDFs from cibjo.org. It complements these standards with sustainability/ESG programmes (Responsible Sourcing Toolkit, Greenhouse Gas Measurement Initiative, Sustainability Officer Certification), educational resources (Retailer's Reference Guide, Do's & Don'ts Guide, International Fine Jewellery Academy), and an annual Congress plus the Jewellery Industry Voices webinar series that convenes the global trade.

Product overview

The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) is a standards organization, not a software company. Its product portfolio consists of industry standards publications (the Blue Books series covering diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls, coral, precious metals, gemmological laboratories, and responsible sourcing), guidance documents, educational resources, and training programs. The Blue Books serve as the industry's common language for grading standards and nomenclature. Supporting products include the Retailer's Reference Guide, Do's & Don'ts Guide, Responsible Sourcing Toolkit, Jewellery Industry Greenhouse Gas Measurement Initiative, Jewellery Industry Sustainability Officer Training Programme, and the Jewellery Industry Voices webinar series. Newer offerings include the Laboratory-Grown Diamond Guideline, International Fine Jewellery Academy (IFJA), and gemstone guides for Jade and Opal. All publications are distributed as free downloadable PDFs from the organization's website.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Blue Books Series The definitive sets of grading standards and nomenclature for diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls, coral, precious metals, gemmological laboratories, and responsible sourcing practices, compiled and updated annually by relevant CIBJO Commissions and available as free downloadable PDFs.
• Retailer's Reference Guide A 154-page illustrated information resource and sales tool for jewellery store staff, covering diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls, precious metals, and responsible sourcing, available as an interactive PDF and in six separate sections.
• Responsible Sourcing Toolkit Online toolkit enabling jewellery and gem sector members to conduct responsible sourcing due diligence on supply chains, comprising nine modules each relating to a specific section of the Responsible Sourcing Blue Book and aligned with OECD Due Diligence Guidance, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and the World Diamond Council's System of Warranties.
• Jewellery Industry Voices Webinar and Seminar Series Industry-wide webinar and seminar series covering important issues challenging the jewellery, gemstone and precious metals sectors, including responsible sourcing, sustainability, AI in jewellery, diamond market analysis and coloured gemstone industry potential, delivered live-streamed and on-demand.
• Jewellery Industry Sustainability Officer Online Training and Certification Programme Accredited online training and certification programme for sustainability officers in the jewellery industry, operated under the auspices of the International Council for Sustainable Business, with certification recognised worldwide and issued by Intertek Italia and accredited by Accredia.
• CIBJO Do's & Don'ts Guide Simplified guidance document to assist those selling diamonds, coloured gemstones, corals, pearls and related artificial products in understanding their obligations towards customers, available in 16 languages and free to download.
• Laboratory-Grown Diamond Guidelines Operating standards and principles for the laboratory-grown diamond sector designed to enhance consumer confidence, including appropriate disclosure and grading treatment versus natural diamonds.
• Jewellery Industry Greenhouse Gas Measurement Initiative Programme helping companies in the jewellery and gemstone industries measure environmental impact, reduce emissions and protect the sector, working with Carbon Expert consulting organisation and aligned with the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and ISO 20121.
• International Fine Jewellery Academy (IFJA) Hands-on jewellery academy based in Milan developed through collaboration between CIBJO and Italian trade and education partners, offering theoretical instruction in English and practical training with master artisans in specialised laboratories, plus internships at partner companies in northern Italy, and integrating CIBJO principles on sustainability, ESG, responsible sourcing, transparency and supply chain traceability.
• CIBJO Guide for Classifying Natural Pearls and Cultured Pearls A 62-page illustrated document providing an overarching view of natural and cultured pearls from both seawater and freshwater sources, supporting retailers and gem labs in accurate disclosure.
• People: Our Greatest Asset A 60-page staff motivation and retention guide written by Jonathan Kendall, President of CIBJO's Marketing and Education Commission, geared especially for the jewellery industry with ready-to-use toolkits for retailers.
• Jade Guide A gemstone guide for jade developed by an expert working group under the Coloured Stone Commission, providing an integrated relationship chart linking traditional Chinese jade terminology with Western nomenclature.
• Opal Guide A gemstone guide for opal nomenclature and classification developed by an expert working group under the Coloured Stone Commission.
• ESG and Sustainability Reference Guide for the Jewellery Sector Reference guide serving as a roadmap for companies throughout the jewellery supply chain on ESG and sustainability practices over a five-to-ten-year horizon, announced at the 2025 Congress.
• Diamond Blue Book Comprehensive grading standards and nomenclature for diamonds compiled and administered by CIBJO's Diamond Commission and cited as a primary source in ISO 18323 (2015) and ISO 24016 (2020).
• Pearl Blue Book Comprehensive grading standards and nomenclature for pearls, compiled and administered by CIBJO's Pearl Commission.
• Coral Blue Book Comprehensive grading standards and nomenclature for coral, compiled and administered by CIBJO's Coral Commission.
• Gemmological Laboratories Blue Book Standards for gemmological laboratories, compiled and administered by CIBJO's Gemmological Commission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Blue Books incorporated into national law in multiple countries worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Dholakia Foundation/Hari Krishna GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2026CIBJO member that financed and built CIBJO Lake in Gujarat, India on World Water Day 2026. The reservoir covers 15 acres with 156 million litre storage capacity, supporting five villages and approximately 12,000 farmers in the surrounding area.
• International Fine Jewellery Academy (IFJA) partnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025IFJA stems from collaboration between CIBJO, Fondazione Mani Intelligenti of Valenza, Confcommercio Milano, and CAPAC - Politecnico del Commercio e del Turismo. It is a hands-on jewellery academy based in Milan designed to educate future generations of professionals. Programmes include theoretical instruction in English and practical training in specialised laboratories, with internships at partner companies in northern Italy. CIBJO principles relating to sustainability, ESG, responsible sourcing, transparency, and supply chain traceability are integrated into the curriculum.
• KeringcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024CIBJO partners with luxury group Kering for the annual 'Kering Generation Award X Jewelry' which supports visionary talent demonstrating excellence in sustainable design and practices in jewellery-making. The 2026 ceremony was held at Kering headquarters in Paris during Haute Couture Week. The contest is scientifically coordinated by Poli.Design, a consortium of Politecnico di Milano.
• Italian Exhibition Group (IEG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020CIBJO partners with Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), organiser of VicenzaOro, for the Jewellery Industry Voices seminar series held during the jewellery trade show. This joint CSR and sustainability educational programme has been recognised by ECOSOC as a provider of such services to the industry.
• Intertek Italia SpAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020In September 2020, CIBJO and Intertek Italia SpA (Italian subsidiary of Intertek Group, a multinational assurance, inspection, product-testing and certification company) announced a joint initiative to educate, train and certify CSR, sustainability and SDG compliance officers specifically for the gemstone and jewellery industries. This was the first dedicated programme of its sort worldwide. The programme is operated under auspices of the International Council for Sustainable Business. Certification is issued by Intertek, accredited by Accredia.
• World Jewellery Confederation Education Foundation (WJCEF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2020Established in December 2008 with UN support, WJCEF's goal is to establish programmes educating members of the diamond, gemstone and jewellery industries about Corporate Social Responsibility principles and their implementation. The foundation developed training modules and conducted the first Executive Course in June 2010 in Belgium. WJCEF was instrumental in creating the UN International Training Centre for Corporate Opportunities (ITCCO) in Antwerp in 2011.
• United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006CIBJO received official consultative status with ECOSOC in 2006, the first and only organisation in the diamond, gemstone and jewellery sectors to achieve this. This enables CIBJO to advance UN programmes and goals within the industry, serving as technical expert, adviser and consultant to governments and the UN Secretariat.
• UN Global CompactcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006CIBJO joined the UN Global Compact in 2006, committing to the fulfilment of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• World Federation of Diamond Bourses: Federation of national diamond bourses covering wholesale diamond trade worldwide, operating parallel international trade rules and arbitration. Comparable to CIBJO as a multi-country jewellery/diamond trade association with overlapping membership.
• Responsible Jewellery Council: International standards-setting body for the jewellery supply chain, operating chain-of-custody certification and member-based codes of practice across gold, diamonds, and coloured gemstones. Most direct peer to CIBJO on responsible sourcing frameworks and ESG standards.
• World Diamond Council: Industry body representing the diamond value chain, focused on the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and the System of Warranties to prevent conflict diamonds. Directly comparable to CIBJO on diamond trade integrity and standards advocacy.
• World Gold Council: Market development organisation for the gold industry, running the Responsible Gold Mining Principles and consumer-facing gold standards. Comparable to CIBJO on precious-metals standards and as a parallel international industry confederation.
• International Colored Gemstone Association: International trade body for the coloured gemstone industry, with national associations in mining and producing countries. Directly comparable to CIBJO on coloured gemstone sector representation and standards harmonisation.

Regional players

• Jewelers of America: National trade association representing jewellery retailers and suppliers in the United States, with its own code of professional practices and consumer protection standards. Comparable to CIBJO on industry association function, but focused on the US jewellery retail market rather than globally.
• American Gem Society: US-based jewellery professional association operating title registration, ethical business standards, and gemmological certification for retail jewellers. Comparable to CIBJO on retail-grade ethics and grading standards, with a US geographic focus.
• European Jewellery Federation: Federation representing national jewellery trade associations across Europe on regulatory and trade matters at EU level. Comparable to CIBJO as a multi-country jewellery industry association, but with a Europe-only regional remit.

Broad incumbents

• International Gemological Institute: Global gemmological laboratory issuing diamond and gemstone grading reports and operating education programmes for jewellery professionals. Comparable to GIA in lab-driven standards and to CIBJO on nomenclature and gemmological laboratory standards.
• Gemological Institute of America: Long-established commercial gemmological laboratory and education provider issuing the GIA diamond grading reports and the 4Cs framework that CIBJO's Blue Books codify. Comparable as the dominant operator in gem grading standards, with CIBJO serving as the industry's reference language.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TVCIBJO
• Facebookfacebook.com/Cibjo-The-World-Jewellery-Confederation-213180572112950
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cibjotheworldjewelleryconfederation
• Instagraminstagram.com/cibjo_communications/?hl=en

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about World Jewellery Confederation - CIBJO