International event brings together Precious Brazil participants to discuss ethical practices, innovations, and global business opportunities
With one of the world’s richest varieties of colored gemstones, Brazil will take center stage in the panel “Beyond the Surface: Challenges and Opportunities in Brazil’s Color Gemstone Sector”, to be held during the ICA Congress 2025. The goal is to explore ways to strengthen the country’s position in the global market by addressing key challenges such as regulation, traceability, market access, and technological innovation — all while preserving the artisanal essence that defines Brazil’s gemstone production.
The panel will also highlight initiatives such as Precious Brazil, a project led by the Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (IBGM) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil). The project has helped expand the international visibility of the sector and generate new business opportunities for Brazilian companies. The presence of both private sector leaders and government representatives — including the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service and the National Mining Agency — underscores the strategic importance of the discussion.
Among the confirmed speakers is Manuela Soares, Chief Strategy Officer at ArtOuro & Gemas, who advocates for a more ethical and collaborative approach in Brazil’s gemstone sector. “Brazil plays a key role in the global gemstone supply chain — not only as a source of incredible stones, but as an agent of transformation,” she states. According to Manuela, joint efforts between companies and institutions are essential to building a fairer, more transparent, and more sustainable supply chain.
In recent years, she has been a leading voice in defending artisanal and small-scale mining, as well as promoting ethical practices with positive social impact. “At ArtOuro & Gemas, this responsibility is in our DNA. We invest in ethical relationships with suppliers, prioritize small-scale miners, and focus our efforts in Teófilo Otoni, the city where we were born and where we continue to invest,” she explains.
She also notes how international consumer demands are driving a cultural shift across the industry. “The global consumer wants more than just beauty. They want story, origin, and purpose. This shift has inspired more conscious practices across the entire industry and increased appreciation for companies that provide traceability and meaning.”
ArtOuro & Gemas, for instance, uses technology to help preserve traditional craftsmanship. “Since 2014, we’ve been investing in digital tools to enhance traceability and customer engagement. Each gemstone’s journey is tracked from its origin to the final consumer,” says Manuela. For her, the future of the sector lies in balancing innovation with tradition: “Technology doesn’t replace manual work — it enhances its value.”
In addition to Manuela Soares, the panel will feature Marcelo Ribeiro (President of Belmont Emeralds), Samuel Sabbagh (CFO of Ben Sabbagh Bros), Tasso Mendonça Junior (Director of the National Mining Agency), and Hermano Ferro (Federal Tax Auditor of Brazil’s Revenue Service). Together, they will lead a dynamic discussion on the present and future of Brazil’s colored gemstone value chain. “It’s an opportunity to show what Brazil is doing in a responsible and sustainable way, strengthening our leadership on the global stage and opening doors to new partnerships,” Manuela concludes.
ICA Congress 2025
The ICA Congress 2025 will take place from May 19 to 22 at the Royal Tulip Brasília Alvorada in Brasília, Brazil.
The event will bring together gemstone industry professionals and experts from around the world for four days of programming, featuring panels and discussions on mining, technology, traceability, sustainability, and strategies for the global colored gemstone market.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Brasília will serve as the backdrop for one of the most relevant events in the sector — offering networking opportunities and cultural immersion in the country that supplies some of the most coveted gemstones in the world.
Registration is now open, and more information is available on the official website: icacongress.com.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. In order to achieve its goals, ApexBrasil carries out several trade promotion initiatives aimed at promoting Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business rounds, support to the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, among other business platforms that also aim at strengthening the Brazil brand. The Agency also acts in a coordinated way with public and private players to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil with a focus on strategic sectors for the development of the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.
About IBGM
The Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association is a national, non-profit private entity founded in 1977. Its mission is to represent, integrate, develop, and promote all segments of the gem, jewelry, and fashion jewelry chain. The association works as an advocate for their interests and by promoting knowledge transfer, trust, and appreciation of their products among consumers.
About Precious Brazil
The Industry Sector Project Precious Brazil aims to support and promote Brazilian companies in the Minerals, gemstones, jewelry, and fashion accessories segments that seek to export their products, whether they are beginners, exporters, or already internationalized. Coordinated by IBGM – The Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association in partnership with ApexBrasil – Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency – the project currently serves approximately 150 companies in the industry.
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