Gaetano Cavalieri, President of the Confédération Internationale de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfèvrerie des Diamants, Perles et Pierres (CIBJO), has been awarded the prestigious 2023 IPMI Jun-ichiro Tanaka Distinguished Achievement Award for his significant contributions to the gem and jewellery industry. The award ceremony took place during the 47th Conference of the International Precious Metals Institute (IPMI) held in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, on 13th June.

Koichiro Tanaka, CEO of the Tanaka Group based in Tokyo, presented the Jun-ichiro Tanaka Distinguished Achievement Award to Dr. Cavalieri. This accolade, sponsored by the Tanaka Memorial Foundation, recognises exceptional career achievements in the technical, economic, or managerial aspects of the precious metals industry. Previous recipients of the award have predominantly been renowned scientists associated with leading academic institutions worldwide.

Expressing his gratitude, the CIBJO President remarked, “I believe that this important recognition indicates that our themes of transparency, responsibility and social awareness have resonated throughout our community, and to have them placed at the same level as some of the most groundbreaking scientific accomplishments is truly gratifying. I thank the Tanaka Memorial Foundation and IPMI for their generosity.”

Earlier, Dr. Cavalieri delivered a wide-ranging address to the IPMI Conference, examining a holistic approach to responsible sourcing and supply chain integrity in the jewellery industry. “Sustainability in a luxury product industry like jewellery will not be achieved through a single undertaking, but rather through a multitude of acts, by people and companies working together or individually,” he told the conference. “Over the past several years there has been a strong move towards the adoption of uniform standards of practice in this regard.”