Henry Ho
DIRECTOR
Henry Ho is the founder and President Emeritus of the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) and the Jewelry Trade Center (JTC) in Thailand.
AIGS is South East Asia's oldest education, research and gem testing institute recognized globally for its expertise in color stones.
The JTC is a 55 story retail, office and residential complex located in Bangkok's Central Business District occupying 4.5 acres of prime real estate and comprising 1.2 million square feet of building space. It is recognized as one of the leading gems and jewelry trading hubs in the world offering a diverse array of products from raw materials, loose gems, diamonds, beads, findings and accessories, instruments and equipment, pearls and a huge range of silver and haute couture gold jewelry.
Ho is an educator, business man and a diplomat. Ho served as the Honorary Consul General of Bhutan to Thailand from 1995 to 2008 and was responsible for initiating the early diplomatic and trade relationship between the two countries as well as establishing the Bhutan Embassy in Thailand. Ho is an advisor to the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes Conservation Project under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Jetsun of Bhutan (www.tiger-finance.org) and working with a coalition of 7 non-governmental institutions including the World WildLife Fund (www.worldwildlife.org) and the Global Environmental Facility (www.thegef.org).
Ho represented the iconic American jewelry brand Tiffany and the oldest Italian jewelry brand Calderoni by opening several luxury retail stores in the heart of the city. Ho holds two patents on diamond cuts designed in honor of Their Majesties King Bhumibhol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand. Ho acquired the Golden Jubilee, the world's largest faceted diamond of 545.67 carats on behalf of Thais and friends of Thailand and arranged for the diamond to be given to His Majesty to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the King's ascent to the throne.
Ho is the President of the Bangkok Diamond and Precious Stones Exchange and Secretary General to the Chinese Chess Club and Vice President of the ASEAN Gem and Jewelry Association.