Moissanite maker Charles & Colvard Ltd., Morrisville, N.C., was the main sponsor of this year’s annual Congress of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation. The theme of the Congress was “Maintaining Consumer Confidence While Facing Challenges in the Jewellery Industry.”

Hosted by CIBJO and implemented by the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturer’s Association, the Congress took place March 4-7 at the Island Shangri-La Hotel in Hong Kong. More than 135 trade representatives from Europe, the United States, Australia, the Middle East, and Asia attended.

CIBJO (French acronym for International Confederation of Jewelry, Silverware, Diamonds, Pearls and Stones) is an international confederation of national trade associations from 36 countries representing four distinct sectors: manufacturing, wholesale, stones, and retail. Its missions are to encourage and promote international cooperation in the jewelry industry, to propel consideration of issues regarding the trade worldwide, and to protect consumer confidence in the industry.