The 41st World Diamond Congress will host a fireside chat with Pritesh Patel, President and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), in Singapore on 14 July 2026. The appearance is among Patel’s first major engagements on the international stage since taking over the leadership of the institute.

Moderated by luxury journalist and author Richa Goyal Sikri, the session will run from 11:50 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. and focus on developments shaping GIA and the wider diamond sector. The discussion is expected to cover the institute’s acquisition of Tracr, initiatives related to provenance and transparency, investments in educational infrastructure, its research agenda, and its strategic priorities over the next five years.

“For the past 95 years, GIA's goal has been to ensure confidence in gems and jewelry through innovation, knowledge, and research. Exchanging perspectives, sharing insights, and participating in expert discussions align with our Institute's mission. I look forward to attending the 41st World Diamond Congress in July 2026,” said Patel.

The session will also examine GIA’s expansion of its education network through new facilities in Taiwan, London and New York, alongside its continued role in gemmological research and industry standards.

Explaining the focus of the conversation, Sikri said, “GIA sits at the centre of almost everything this industry relies on - standards, science, education, trust. When I was researching for my book, I found myself returning to GIA's archives again and again. The institution's body of work is foundational. The real question is whether an institution built on 95 years of tradition can reinvent itself without losing what makes it irreplaceable? I want to hear Pritesh's honest thinking on that, not the official line.”

The discussion is expected to provide delegates with insights into GIA’s evolving role in supporting transparency, research, education and confidence across the global diamond supply chain.