The International Colored Gemstone Association has released its “2006 World Colored Gemstone Mining Report,” a special edition of its publication, InColor. The organization noted that the rapid and significant developments in geo-politics as well as in communications technologies have brought important changes to international business, and to the colored gemstone industry. Thus, this special report is a much-needed tool, ICA said in a statement.

A decade has past since ICA published its first mining report. “In the past, gemstone mining was limited to just a few countries and locations,” said Jean Claude Michelou, ICA vice president and co-executive editor of the report. “Exploration and mining is becoming more widespread, with many new mining localities establishing themselves, some even becoming dominant and leading sources within a short stretch of time. Never before has such a variety of gemstones from different sources been available in the trade.”

At the same time that public interest for gemstones is growing in most countries, many new gemstones are finding their place in the jewelry retail and consumer market. Members of the industry find that each visit to a trade show is impressive due to the array of gems on display. Even for an experienced gemologist or gem dealer it is a challenge to cover such diversity and it is difficult to keep up to date.

The ICA’s worldwide membership network provided the best and most up-to-date information available for this report, including the many ICA Ambassadors, miners, and members active in the gem producing areas in all parts of the world as well as government mining authorities.

“ICA is in an excellent position to produce such an impressive and current report due to the international scope of our membership, said Barbara Lipatapanlop, ICA president, Joseph Menzie.

ICA executive director and co-executive editor of the report added, “Our aim is to update this information on a regular basis, as we anticipate that it will be well received in the trade.”

The publication will be officially launched at The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas (June 3-7) at the ICA booth, L28, in the lower lobby.

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