From The World Pearl Forum

This post–written more than a week ago–was intended to be "Live From the World Pearl Forum;" alas, the best-laid plans of mice, men, and editors-in-chief often get sidetracked by temperamental technology. First it was connectivity issues, then it was electricity issues, and now it’s almost a week later and I’m still having trouble getting photos posted.
But I digress. The 2009 World Pearl Forum was, nevertheless, held February 17-18 at the new Atlantis Hotel in Palm Jumeirah. Here’s the 411:

Hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, the event was intended to spark dialogue among the world’s top pearl producers, wholesalers, and retailers about how to increase global share of market for pearls vs. other jewelry and gemstones. That it did—two especially lively discussions centered around whether a single standardized system for grading pearls should be established (no), and whether the pearl industry can and should come together to create a blanket-marketing program along the lines of what De Beers has done for diamonds (yes, if it’s possible.)

The roster was filled with such pearl heavy-hitters as Nicholas Paspaley, chairman of the board of directors of Paspaley Pearls Group, Australia’s largest South Seas pearl producer; Robert Wan, chairman of Robert Wan Tahiti and Nick Paspaley’s counterpart in black Tahitian pearl production, Jacques Branellec, managing director of Jewelmer International Corp., whose golden Philippine South Seas pearls—worn by a few of the women attending—were positively jaw-dropping. Also speaking was Noriyuki Morita, president of K. Mikimoto & Co. Ltd., and Sonny Sethi, president of the Cultured Pearl Association of America and CEO of Tara & Sons, New York. The gemological perspective was delivered by experts like Ken Scarratt, managing director of research for GIA Thailand, and Dr. Jack Ogden, CEO of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A). Jorg Gellner, one of Germany’s top pearl designers, presented his strategies on how to evolve a family business to meet the challenges of today’s marketplace. Chris Figee, partner at McKinsey & Company’s Middle East division addressed economics and finance, while yours truly discussed opportunities for positioning pearls for success.

The keynote address was delivered by His Excellency Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World, and focused on history and heritage. It must be noted that not only was Dubai part of the famed pearl region of the Arabian Gulf, the source of almost all natural pearls prior to the launch of cultured pearls, but given the development of Dubai’s coastline over the past few decades, it’s entirely likely that pearlers once dove exactly where we were sitting.
The event of course had its gala moments, including a VIP welcome reception with the famous Burj Al Arab (aka the sailboat hotel) clearly visible in the background, and a rockin’ party for all the attendees the following night.

Kudos go to Gaiti Rabbani, executive director of colored stones and pearls for the DMCC, and her team, for excellent organization of this event. As she said in her closing remarks, a great deal was laid out for discussion these two days—let’s be sure that the next meeting, perhaps in two years, has some significant progress to show for it.
Please log back to see photos of the event–they’ll be posted as soon as possible.