In an extraordinary meeting of the {{CIBJO Pearl Commission}} held in Hong Kong recently, a prestigious group of individuals with intimate involvement within the natural and cultured pearl industries, including producers, wholesalers, retailers, auction houses and gemmologists, discussed and shared their views on the use of the term "pearl" in a manner that will help avoid confusion or misrepresentation throughout the supply pipeline of pearls and in particular among consumers.%% {{Ken Scarratt}}, president of the CIBJO Pearl Commission, who had called for the meeting, said that the Commission's goal was "to glean sufficient and valid opinions to allow the CIBJO Pearl Book to stipulate how to use the unqualified word 'pearl' in various scenarios."%% "The CIBJO Pearl Commission and its Steering Committee are committed to the production of meaningful standards of nomenclature that describe natural and cultured pearls as well as pearl imitations or simulants," Scarratt explained. Scarratt concluded that following the Hong Kong event, he felt that sufficient discussion had taken place to allow for a workable resolution that would meet the needs of all elements of the industry as well as of the consumer. Following further discussions within the CIBJO Board of Directors, the resolution will be available shortly.%%