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Jewellery Arabia 2007 five-day exhibition opens on Tuesday at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre in Sanabis.
Some of the finest jewels, gems and watches will be on display in the biggest and most prestigious annual jewellery exhibition in the Middle East.
The exhibition, which is held under the patronage of Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, is in its 16th successive year and boasts more than 500 exhibitors from 28 countries.
Show organisers Arabian Exhibition Management have commissioned two temporary halls to extend the existing facilities to accommodate the increased demand for space from exhibitors making Jewellery Arabia 2007 the largest show to date.
Master jewellers and watchmakers will cover an area of 16,000 square metres complemented by national pavilions by leading jewellery and export countries, including the finest retailers from the Middle East.
Last year's show experienced a healthy 14 per cent increase in visitors, attracting a record 40,113 jewellery trade buyers and private collectors.
Eminent jewellery houses and watch manufacturers making a return appearance at Jewellery Arabia 2007 include Cartier, Chopard, De Beers, Graff Diamonds, Harry Winston, Patek Phillipe, Piaget and Van Cleef & Arpels among many others.
The world's oldest and most prestigious jewellery house Garrard will participate for the first time this year.
David Morris, the famous British jewellery house, is also participating for the first time and follows the opening of its Dubai boutique.
On show will be a unique collection of iconic jewellery sets, as well as other necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, jewellery watches and cufflinks, all made of precious stones including white and coloured diamonds as well as natural pearls.
International pavilions from Brazil, Greece, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Thailand and Turkey, in addition to a strong Lebanese and GCC contingent concludes this line up.
Leading Bahraini jewellers who will be returning to take part at the exhibition include Bahrain Jewellery Centre, Asia Jewellers, Taqi's Jewellery, Mouawad, Al Mahmood Pearls and Al Zain.
Amongst them are four prominent names from the island's own Gold Souq in Manama - Devji Jewellers, Chhaganlal Khimji and Sons (CK) Jewellers, Al Sarraj Jewellers and Damas - who have been in the jewellery business for generations.
"It is an excellent way to promote ourselves. Our clientele include a lot of GCC visitors of which the most prominent are from Saudi Arabia and Qatar," said Abdul Rafeeq, store manager of Al Sarraj Jewellers.
"We have been in Bahrain for over 60 years now and have participated in various exhibitions," said Rajendra Chhaganlal of CK Jewellers.
Jewellery Arabia 2007 will be open for trade and public visitors by invitation from 4pm to 10pm daily from November 13-17.
Children under 16 will not be admitted. An exclusive 'ladies-only' morning will be held on Thursday, November 15 from 10am to 1pm.
