Fedesmeraldas, the Colombian Emerald Federation, will be hosting the first International Emerald Symposium from October 13-15, 2015 in Bogota. The Federation is supported by all the emerald-related bodies and the Ministry of Mines and Energy of the country.

“The conference will address the challenges and opportunities faced by the emerald industry including resource management, manufacturing, treatments, certification, nomenclature, technology, consumer education and branding,” the Fedesmeraldas said in a statement announcing the symposium. “It will be the first time that producer countries will be coming together at a high-level international gathering to address issues relating to the emerald business in the same way diamond industry representatives have done in the past for their trade.”

Delegations representing governments, and the private sector, of countries like Zambia, Afghanistan and Brazil as well as major international trade organisation such as the ICA, AGTA, CIBJO, GIA, IBGM, GAC among others, are slated to be participating in the event.

During the symposium, renowned international experts from all segments of the value chain will make presentations. Amongst them will be jewellery designer Erica Courtney; the Honourable Christopher B. Yaluma, Minister of Mines from Zambia; Gemfields Executive Director Sean Giltbertson; and Muzo Emerald Mining CTT MTC representative Charles Burges.

The organisers have also planned panel discussions on topics of crucial interest to the emerald and coloured gemstone sector.