Featuring Global Experts and Thought Leaders, Aiming to Position Thailand as a Global Leader in Innovation and Thought Leadership in the Gem and Jewelry Industry

The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT) held the 8th International Gem & Jewelry Conference (GIT 2025) on September 8–9, 2025, under the theme “Responsible Gem & Jewelry Supply Chain.” The event aims to reaffirm Thailand’s position as a leading academic and innovation hub for the global gem and jewelry industry, bringing together experts, thought leaders, and professionals from around the world to share knowledge, inspire change, and foster sustainable growth.

This year’s conference served as a premier platform for academics, researchers, designers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to engage in in-depth discussions on the latest trends, innovations, and scientific research. Participants will explore the intersection of technology, sustainability, and ethics within the gem and jewelry value chain, as the industry continues its transition toward environmental and social responsibility.

a Pre-Conference Excursion took place from September 5–7, 2025, featuring exclusive visits to the Akhara Gold Mine, Sukhothai Historical Park, Si Satchanalai Historical Park, and the “Si Satchanalai: The Heritage Gold Community.” These cultural and educational tours aim to highlight Thailand’s rich heritage and craftsmanship traditions that continue to shape its jewelry identity.

Mr. Ekachat Seetavorarat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, presided over the opening ceremony of the “8th International Gem and Jewelry Conference (GIT 2025)”, organized by the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization) or GIT.

This year’s event is held under the theme: “Responsible Gem & Jewelry Supply Chain”, reinforcing Thailand’s role as a leading academic center in the regional gem and jewelry sector. The conference gathered a full house of global experts and thought leaders, joining forces to drive change, exchange knowledge, share trends, innovations, and advanced research, and discuss sustainable development aligned with environmental and social goals.

The event also fostered international collaboration across public and private sectors and academic institutions worldwide — all with the vision to elevate Thailand as a global thought leader and innovation hub in the gem and jewelry community.

Additionally, the event included a certificate presentation ceremony for participants in the “SMEs in the Gem and Jewelry Industry Promotion and Elevation to Good Governance Standards Project (Responsible Jewellery Council; RJC)”, as well as a GIT Standard Laboratory Certification Ceremony.

The conference was officially opened by Mr. Ekachat Seetavorarat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce. He was joined by Mr. Sumed Prasongpongchai, Director of GIT, and Mrs. Nantawan Sakuntanak, Chairwoman of GIT’s Board, who led the organizing team in welcoming participants. Attendees included scholars, researchers, designers, entrepreneurs, and investors from both Thailand and abroad, held at the Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.

Mr. Sumed Prasongpongchai, Director of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (public Organization) or GIT, stated that the 8th International Gem and Jewelry Conference (GIT 2025) was organized on a grand scale, running for two days (September 8-9, 2025), to emphasize Thailand’s status as a regional leading academic center in gem and jewelry. The event brings together global experts, scholars, researchers, designers, entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders to exchange knowledge, present academic work, and discuss industry innovations. This year’s focus is on sustainability in the gem and jewelry industry, which has attracted strong interest from both public and private sectors and both domestic and international stakeholders, including educational institutions and organizations such as the Thai Goldsmith Association, Thai Silver Jewelry Exporters Association, Chanthaburi Gem and Jewelry Traders Association, Gold Traders Association, and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Mrs. Nantawan Sakuntanak, Chairwoman of GIT’s Board, added: “This conference aims to elevate the standards of Thailand’s gem and jewelry industry while fostering strong international cooperation. It not only reflects the academic and leadership capabilities of the institute at a global level but also plays a critical role in shaping the future of the industry. Key areas of focus include responsible sourcing and procurement, innovative design, ethical business models, and strengthening Thailand’s image as the ‘World’s Hub for Gem and Jewelry Production and Trade’.”

GIT has continuously hosted this international conference since 2006, receiving an excellent response and consistent success. It not only serves as an academic forum but also as an opportunity to build professional networks, foster academic and industry partnerships, and create future business collaborations.

The 8th International Gem and Jewelry Conference (GIT 2025) was held under the theme “Responsible Gem & Jewelry Supply Chain”, featuring two days of intensive seminars (September 8-9, 2025). Participants will also receive exclusive access to the 72nd Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, taking place on September 9-13, 2025 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

At this event, in addition to the engaging seminar sessions, the afternoon of September 8, 2025, also featured a certificate presentation ceremony for participants in the “SMEs in the Gem and Jewelry Industry Promotion and Elevation to Good Governance Standards Project (Responsible Jewellery Council; RJC)”, as well as a GIT Standard Laboratory Certification Ceremony. Both ceremonies were held at The Residence, M Floor, and were graciously presided over by Mr. Sumed Prasongpongchai, Director of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand. These recognitions serve not only as formal certificates of achievement but also as an important source of encouragement, reminding all participating organizations to remain committed to continuous development under good governance principles. This commitment will enable sustainable business growth and raise laboratory standards to a global level.

For the academic presentations delivered by world-renowned speakers over the course of the two-day event, the highlights are as follows:

On September 8, 2025, the main stage featured keynote speakers including Mr. Preeda Tiasuwan, Chairman and Founder of Pranda Jewelry Public Co., Ltd., presenting on the topic “Towards a Sustainable Future for the Thai Gem and Jewelry Industry”; Mr. Wallace Chan, internationally acclaimed Chinese jewelry artist, speaking on “Future Trends: Sustainability in Jewelry Art 2025”; Prof. Dr. Chakkaphan Sutthirat, Deputy Director of Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), sharing insights on “Transforming Thailand’s Gem and Jewelry Industry through Research and Innovation”; and Mrs. Ashoo Sinchawla, Managing Director of Sant Enterprises Co., Ltd., with her topic “The Role of Women in the Gem and Jewelry Industry.”

Guest speakers on this day include Mr. Cherdsak Utha-aroon, representative from Akara Resources Public Co., Ltd.; Asst. Prof. Dr. Somlak Wannarumon Kielarova, Director of Naresuan University Science Park; Ms. Anna Minakova, representative from Eurus Gallery; M.L. Paramaporn Devakula, from Precious Metal Refining Co., Ltd.; Mr. Wasantha Gamlath, from the Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute (GJRTI); Ms. Song Zhonghua, from National Gems & Jewelry Testing Group (NGTC), China; Dr. Wasura Soonthorntantikul, from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA); and Mr. Tobias Häger, from Johannes Gutenberg University.

On September 9, 2025, the main stage welcomed keynote speakers including Mr. Edward Johnson, representing Gemfields Group, with a talk titled “Building a Responsible Coloured Gemstone Supply Chain”; Mr. Kenneth Scarratt, from the CIBJO Academy, presenting on “Transparency is not an option, it is a necessity”; and Mr. Richard W. Hughes, of Lotus Gemology, who spoke on “Describing Color in Gems: A Fool’s Guide.”

Guest speakers include Mr. Daniel Nyfeler, Managing Director of Gübelin Gem Lab; Prof. Liu Shang I, Edward, from the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong (GAHK); Dr. Pornsawat Wathanakul, an expert in gem and jewelry; Prof. Yan Li, from Wuhan University, China; and a number of world-class experts who also joined the knowledge exchange, including Mr. Vincent Pardieu, a leading gemologist; Mr. Kinjal Shah, representative from the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC); and concluding with Mr. Thanong Leelawattanasuk, Deputy Director of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (Public Organization).

The conference garnered strong international attention, with over 70 abstract submissions and more than 400 participants confirmed. Delegates also enjoyed a special opportunity to attend the 72nd Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, held from September 9–13, 2025, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center offering further engagement with industry leaders, designers, and buyers from around the world.

The 8th International Gem and Jewelry Conference (GIT 2025) marks another significant achievement, reflecting Thailand’s growing role as a global academic and innovation hub in the gem and jewelry industry. More than just a platform for international knowledge exchange, this conference acts as a driving force to elevate Thailand’s gem and jewelry sector to meet global standards of sustainability and good governance — building trust among consumers and business partners worldwide, and laying a solid foundation for Thailand to become a true global leader in gem and jewelry thought leadership and innovation.

Note: Gem Spectrum is a supporting media of the the 8th International Gem & Jewelry Conference (GIT 2025) and Pre-Conference Excursion.

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