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The halls of the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre will glitter once more with the finest gems and jewels, attracting exhibitors from across the globe and thousands of visitors to Jewellery Arabia 2013.
The 22nd edition of what is described as the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watch exhibition, opened yesterday.
Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the five-day event features more than 600 exhibitors from 30 nations including Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore and the UK.
On display is a huge range of jewellery, luxury timepieces, precious stones, antiques, objets d’art, jewellery packaging and new technological advances in the industry.
Last year, the show attracted around 46,300 visitors of which 25 per cent were drawn from the region’s single largest jewellery market, neighbouring Saudi Arabia. There was also significant interest from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the UAE.
Arabian Exhibition Management’s director of sales and marketing, Fawzi Al Shehabi, said: “The show is seen as an essential buying event for private collectors and the trade. Extraordinary designers choose Jewellery Arabia as their sole platform in the Middle East, whilst many more use the exhibition as an opportunity to showcase exclusive and new collections.”
Shree Jewellers from Hyderabad, located in the south of India, took the opportunity to showcase its wares. Swayta Toolsidass is handling public relations in Bahrain. The 36-year-old calligrapher and jewellery designer, said: “We are launching the brand here.”
She is close family friend of Shree Jewellers chairman, Anil Kumar, who has a successful business with a large showroom in Hyderabad. At the show, the company will display a fusion of Western and Indian classically-designed jewellery, ranging from milk white pearls to diamonds, rubies and other gems.
Mrs Toolsidass said: “We are planning to present a mixed collection which will range from designer rings, earrings and necklaces from BD1,000 to BD20,000. Our designs are simple, yet stand out, and can be worn forever.”
Her love of jewellery started at a young age as she watched members of her own family create fine pieces. Her great grandfather was a jeweller to the Nizam – the regional ruler of Hyderabad – in 1890, and his jewellery sold across the globe. She aims to set up her own showroom next year.
Jewellery Arabia is open from 4pm to 10pm today until Friday and from noon to 10pm on Saturday.
For details, visit www.jewelleryarabia.com
