CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, has announced the launch of its new website, located on the Internet at www.cibjo.org.

With a slick new design that is reminiscent of its earlier website, the new edition provides a wealth of information about CIBJO and its activities, links to its national association and commercial members from around the world, and enables the immediate download of CIBJO's widely followed sets of industry standards and nomenclature, known as the Blue Book, as well as a series of industry guides.

"Our objective in upgrading the website was to make as many as of the products and services that we provide the jewellery and gemstone industries immediately available," said CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri. "CIBJO's covers a very broad spectrum of issues, ranging from Corporate Social Responsibility; the international harmonisation of standards and nomenclature for diamonds, coloured gemstones, pearls, precious metals and gem labs; and the marketing and promotion of jewellery in the consumer markets. We do this for the benefit of the industry in general, and our intention is that, to the greatest degree possible, what we produce is made freely available."

From the home page of the new CIBJO website, users can immediately download in PDF format each of CIBJO Blue Books. Via the newly added Resources section, users can view and order CIBJO's expansive "Retailers Reference Guide," which is an in-store resource designed for the use of sales staff. The section also enables the direct download of the "Retailers Guide to Marketing Diamond Jewellery," a 99-page book in PDF format; two booklets dealing with responsible business practices - "A Jewellery Retailers Guide to Consumer Trust" and "Responsible Luxury;" and a set of illustrated flyers clearly explaining for sales staff and customers the terms caratage, cut, colour and clarity for rubies, emeralds and sapphires, as well as providing information relating to gemstone modifications and value.