Program includes debates, networking, and cultural experiences in Brasília
The ICA Congress 2025, one of the most significant international gatherings in the colored gemstone sector, will take place from May 19 to 22 in Brasília. Brazilian companies participating in the Precious Brazil project—a joint initiative by the Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (IBGM) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) to promote the sector internationally—will be present at the event, helping to strengthen Brazil’s visibility and leadership in the global supply chain.
With a comprehensive program, the congress will bring together industry leaders, government officials, researchers, and professionals to discuss sustainable practices, innovation, and the future of the sector on a global scale.
The event kicks off on Sunday, May 19, with morning tennis matches, followed by participant registration from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Starting at 6:30 p.m., a welcome cocktail will be held at Bar do Capitão, on the shores of Lake Paranoá. In the following days, the Royal Tulip Brasília Alvorada will host an intensive schedule of panels, lectures, and meetings.
Highlights of May 20 include opening speeches by Damien Cody (ICA President), Roseli Duque (IBGM President), and Marcelo Ribeiro (President of Belmont Emeralds and Chairman of the Congress). Morning discussions will address challenges and opportunities in Brazil’s colored gemstone sector, sustainability, and compliance practices. In the afternoon, topics will include field gemology, the history of Brazilian jewelry, and the role of artificial intelligence in the global gemstone trade.
Activities continue on May 21 and 22, with sessions diving deeper into trends, traceability, cultural value, and technical aspects of the sector. On May 21, the schedule features panels on the Brazilian gemstone market, anticipating regulations and consumer behavior, the Chinese gemstone market in 2025, among others. The day will close with the panel “The Price of Passage: What Sanctions and Tariffs Mean for Gemstone Trade,” discussing the evolving trade landscape and U.S. tariffs on colored gemstones.
On May 22, the program will highlight Thailand’s commitment to sustainable practices aligned with global standards, and a presentation on the origin and gemological characteristics of pink and red diamonds—particularly those from Brazil and the now-closed Argyle Mine. The morning will continue with Brecken Branstrator, Editor-in-Chief of the GemGuide, discussing trends shaping the current gemstone market, followed by a panel on how the colored gemstone sector can seize opportunities left by the diamond industry’s downturn.
In the afternoon, speakers from Fura, including Rupak Sen and Gianluca Maina, will present insights, along with Vincent Pardieu, who will speak on the evolution of emerald mining practices. The day will also include a press conference, a general membership meeting, and an ICA board meeting.
The full four-day program covers both institutional discussions and cultural and networking experiences for participants. For more details, visit the official website: https://icacongress.com/agenda/
Evening Program
The ICA Congress agenda also includes special moments at the end of the day, creating unique opportunities for socializing and networking. On Monday night (19), participants will be welcomed with a cocktail party at the open-air Bar do Capitão, featuring snacks, drinks and the sounds of Brazilian Bossa Nova. On Tuesday (20), a special dinner is scheduled at the Brasília TV Tower, an icon of the federal capital. On Wednesday (21), dinner will be held at the Rubaiyat restaurant. The congress will close on Wednesday (22) with a gala dinner, bringing together all participants to celebrate the lessons learned and connections made throughout the event.
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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