ICA Appoints Brandee Dallow as CEO Amid Ethical Sourcing and Market Challenges

The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) has announced the appointment of Brandee Dallow as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 6, 2026. The ICA, which represents nearly 700 members across 47 countries, is entering a new phase of leadership at a moment when the global coloured gemstone industry faces increasing attention on ethical sourcing, sustainability and market stability.

Dallow steps into the role as debate intensifies over responsible supply chains and the trade in gemstones from regions affected by international sanctions. A prominent subject in these conversations is the sustained demand for untreated Burmese rubies. These rubies remain prized by collectors and trade buyers alike, keeping them at the center of questions about how the industry can reconcile market demand with commitments to ethical and responsible sourcing.

Veteran trader Erez Bezalel, owner of Antwerp-based Euro Precious Stones BV and a professional with more than four decades of experience across mining, manufacturing and international trade, says ethical challenges will be high on the new CEO’s agenda. Bezalel highlights the complex practical and moral issues that arise when rare natural gemstones are sourced from regions where geopolitical concerns create legal and reputational risks for buyers and sellers.

According to Bezalel, untreated rubies from Myanmar continue to attract strong interest in global markets, prompting questions about how the ICA might guide members in balancing commercial realities with evolving standards for transparency and sustainability. He suggests that any approach must weigh both market demand and the association’s responsibility to promote ethical practices across member businesses.

Industry observers have also discussed whether the coloured gemstone sector could adopt a certification model akin to the Kimberley Process used by the diamond industry. Bezalel argues that such a one-size-fits-all framework would be impractical for coloured gemstones. Unlike diamonds, the coloured gemstone category includes more than a hundred different varieties—each with distinct supply chains, mining methods and trading networks. Implementing a universal certification scheme, he notes, would be far more complex and costly than the diamond-focused systems already in place.

Beyond sourcing and certification, market dynamics and pricing pressures are emerging concerns. Reflecting on recent international trade shows in Hong Kong and Bangkok, Bezalel observed a notable increase in aggressively priced Sri Lankan gemstones offered by Chinese traders and jewellery firms. He reported that some items were listed at discounts up to 40 percent, creating significant pricing disparities that can ripple through the supply chain.

While acknowledging that competitive pricing is a natural element of open markets, Bezalel recommended that the ICA consider an advisory role to help members manage excess inventories without undermining fair competition. Coordinated guidance on inventory liquidation strategies, he suggested, could reduce severe short-term price disruptions and support longer-term market stability while still preserving open trade.

As Brandee Dallow prepares to take the helm at the ICA, the association’s priorities appear to extend beyond traditional industry promotion. Strengthening ethical trade practices, advancing sustainability standards, addressing pricing imbalances and clarifying complex supply chain issues are likely to form part of a broader agenda. Members will be watching how the new leadership balances advocacy for commercial interests with the sector’s growing responsibility to ensure traceability, environmental stewardship and social accountability.

The coloured gemstone sector now faces a multifaceted challenge: supporting a diverse international marketplace while responding to heightened expectations for transparency and ethical conduct. Under Dallow’s leadership, the ICA has the opportunity to facilitate constructive dialogue among members, encourage best practices in sourcing and inventory management, and help shape policies that support both market resilience and responsible industry behavior.