“Gathering Momentum in Sri Lanka · Shining Together”Celebrating the First Anniversary of GUILD Gem Laboratories Sri Lanka Laboratory
On the afternoon of June 13, 2025, the "Gathering Strength, Shining Together" GUILD Sri Lanka Laboratory One-Year Anniversary Celebration was successfully held at the Cinnamon Bentota Beach Hotel in Beruwala, Sri Lanka. The event brought together industry leaders, association representatives, and numerous outstanding professionals, including Ruby Liu, President of GUILD Gem Laboratories; Andrew Lucas, Dean of GUILD Institute of Gemology; Marjan Asmi Faleel, President of the Chinafort Jewelry Import and Export Association of Sri Lanka; Vice Presidents Rizwan Nayeem and Yusri Uwise; and other key figures from both China and Sri Lanka. Together, they celebrated the first anniversary of GUILD Sri Lanka, reviewed its development journey, and looked forward to the future of the industry.
Industry leaders and representatives from GUILD Gem Laboratories delivered speeches to commemorate this important anniversary milestone
Rizwan Nayeem, Vice President of the Chinafort Jewelry Import and Export Association of Sri Lanka, was the first speaker to take the stage. He highly praised the positive impact of GUILD Gem Laboratories on the local gemstone industry, particularly its contributions to enhancing the global recognition of Sri Lankan sapphires and promoting the transmission of industry knowledge. He also mentioned that there is great potential for gemstone trade cooperation between China and Sri Lanka and expressed his anticipation for deeper collaboration between the two sides in broader areas in the future.
An anniversary recap video of GUILD Sri Lanka Laboratory was played at the event, vividly showcasing the fruitful achievements of the past year. The video captured the laboratory’s active presence at major industry events worldwide since its opening, as well as the successful organization of multiple in-depth field visits to mining areas and the completion of tens of thousands of professional and rigorous gemstone testing services. These accomplishments reflect the professional wisdom and hard work of the GUILD gemologist team, and would not have been possible without the long-term trust and steadfast support from global clients and partners.
In their speeches, Ruby Liu and Andrew Lucas expressed sincere gratitude to the Sri Lankan jewelry industry and shared the outstanding achievements of the GUILD team over the past year. They stated that after visiting multiple countries for field investigations in recent years, they found that both the Chinese and Sri Lankan markets are full of vitality. The energy and spirit of exploration displayed by practitioners in both regions are unparalleled by other countries. As representatives of GUILD, they promised to continue supporting the industry's development with professional and efficient services. Ms. Ruby Liu also remarked, "This celebration is not only a commemoration of the one-year anniversary of GUILD Sri Lanka Laboratory, but also a tribute to the deep friendship and close cooperation between the gemstone industries of China and Sri Lanka."
Market Trends Forum: Insights into Global Industry Shifts
The anniversary celebration featured a special forum session, hosted by Mr. Rizwan Naeem, Vice President of the Chinafort Jewelry Import and Export Association of Sri Lanka. The session was also attended by Ruby Liu, President of GUILD Gem Laboratories; Andrew Lucas, Dean of GUILD Institute of Gemology; and Safraz Jabir, Vice President of the Chinafort Jewelry Import and Export Association.
During the discussion, Mr. Rizwan Naeem first posed a question to Ruby Liu regarding the cyclical changes in the Chinese jewelry market. Ruby Liu pointed out that the Chinese gemstone industry has gone through fluctuations, from prosperity to saturation, and emphasized that perseverance is key to navigating the industry's cycles.
Andrew Lucas shared his insights from the perspective of reports and gemstone value. He noted that the importance of reports in the Chinese market is unprecedented. Reports should not only provide gemological information but also take on an educational role. The future development of the industry lies in promoting the natural beauty of gemstones, rather than focusing solely on report metrics.
Safraz Jabir recalled his first entry into the Chinese market in 2008 and compared the journey of Chinese consumers—from having little knowledge of colored gemstones to now being mature and confident. He stated that the vibrancy and learning speed of the Chinese market are unmatched by other markets. Safraz Jabir also emphasized the emotional value and rarity of colored gemstones and called on industry professionals to drive market development with passion and confidence.
The panel discussion added a wealth of industry insights to the GUILD Gem Laboratories one-year anniversary celebration. The profound perspectives and valuable experiences shared by the attendees provided new angles and inspiration for industry peers to consider.
Voices of Sri Lankan Enterprises: Shaping the Future of the Industry Together
Redha Refai, representative of Zam Gems, highly praised the GUILD team for their achievements over the past year. He emphasized that in the gemstone and jewelry sector, trust forms the foundation of every transaction. GUILD provides not only accurate gemstone testing but also comprehensive, prompt, and transparent information services. From origin determination to color grading, GUILD has earned the confidence of clients worldwide through its outstanding performance.
Vishwa Alessio, representative of Zenva Gems, stated that witnessing the grand celebration of GUILD Gem Laboratory’s one-year anniversary in person is not only a recognition of GUILD’s achievements but also a meaningful encouragement for the entire Sri Lankan gemstone industry. Despite challenges in the global economic environment, the demand for Sri Lankan sapphires remains robust. With continued collaboration with GUILD Gem Laboratory, the future of the industry looks exceptionally promising.
In-Depth Analysis of Trends in the Chinese Colored Gemstone Market
Ruby Liu, President of GUILD Gem Laboratories, and Andrew Lucas, Dean of GUILD Institute of Gemology, gave a presentation on the topic "Development Trends of the Chinese Colored Gemstone Market." Andrew Lucas, combining GUILD's global perspective and authoritative data, analyzed the market status, consumer characteristics, and future opportunities of China as a key player in the global gemstone trade. He pointed out that the vitality and innovation of the Chinese market are remarkable, particularly in its quick adoption of new categories and acceptance of a wider range of quality, such as brighter-toned emeralds.
He specifically analyzed innovative models in the supply chain, such as the rise of "mine live-streaming," and noted that this direct connection between the source and consumers is reshaping the global gemstone trade landscape. At the same time, he shared GUILD's progress in collaborating with the global industry on gemstone enhancement treatment disclosures (such as beryllium diffusion). He emphasized the crucial role of transparency and education in maintaining market confidence and cited historical experiences to highlight the importance of collectively safeguarding consumer trust.
Finally, Ruby Liu, President of GUILD Gem Laboratories, and Andrew Lucas, Dean of GUILD Institute of Gemology, called on industry peers to collaborate and jointly promote the entire colored gemstone sector, further expanding its market share and driving the prosperous development of the industry.
This event was not only a grand celebration of the achievements of GUILD Sri Lanka Laboratory over the past year, but also a gathering for gemstone industry peers to connect, exchange ideas, and collaborate on future development. Moving forward, GUILD Gem Laboratories will continue to uphold the spirit of professionalism and innovation, working hand in hand with global gemstone industry partners to promote the prosperity, transparency, and sustainable development of the gemstone industry.
