Joe Torre to Speak About Winning at Centurion

Former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre will provide an inside look at what it took to become one of the best managers in baseball history in an opening keynote address at the Centurion luxury jewelry tradeshow.

Torre’s session, called “Ground Rules for Winners,” draws upon his life experiences in professional baseball. His presentation will be held January 29 at 8 a.m.

"My baseball career experiences relate to everyday business life," Torre said. "I hope the Centurion audience will leave enthused with new ideas to implement in their successful businesses."

He shares his wisdom on the universal concerns of all managers: handling tough bosses, dealing with setbacks and success, earning the trust and respect of the team and forging a diverse group of individuals into a cohesive unit with a willingness to make the sacrifices necessary to win. Torre led one of the most fabled franchises in sports history, the New York Yankees, for 12 years, and managed the Los Angeles Dodgers before joining Major League Baseball as executive VP of Baseball Operations. During his tenure with the Yankees, the team won six American League Pennants and four World Series Championships. For all of his success, Torre remains down to earth, good-humored and practical in his approach to leadership and success.

“We know that Joe’s experiences will resonate with our attendees,” said Howard Hauben, Centurion president. “We’re delighted to have him as a speaker in Scottsdale at the 2012 Show.”

The invitation only Centurion Show will be held January 28 – 31 in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information, call 516-377-5909 or email info@centurionjewelry.com.

Creativity and Originality in Polish Jewelry Design

Amber and silver "Dragon" ring by Jacek Ostrowski

When a friend from the Polish jewelry industry told me during the recently concluded "Gold Silver and Time" tradeshow that the price of amber is comparable with the price of gold, I thought she was exaggerating. It turns out she was being conservative. Good rough amber sells for up to $60 a gram, about $20 per gram more than gold. 

Colorful cuffs by Marcin Zaremski

This came home to me when a woman working for Amber Apple, an amber and jewelry company, showed me a giant bracelet made entirely of rough amber. It was hard to me to believe it was a serious piece of jewelry for anyone other than Wilma Flintstone. I asked who would wear such a thing? The woman behind the counter said "A very large woman." It turns out she would also have to be a very rich woman as that bracelet was valued at more than $10,100. 

Rough amber bracelet by Amber Apple valed at more than $10,100.  Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

The reason for this is none other than China, which seems to be sucking up the world’s natural resources (amber is fossilized tree resin) faster than the billions of years it took the earth to produce its bounty. The Chinese are buying rough amber, driving up the price to a ridiculous level, and using it to make inexpensive jewelry to sell to its own market. 

Pendant necklace made with layers of amber and driftwood by Marta Wlodarska of Amberwood 

Much of the amber in the US and other markets is used for inexpensive jewelry matched with silver. However, the escalation in its price has had a detrimental impact on this market. The result is that with rough amber costing more than gold, the Polish jewelry industry has turned to the creativity and originality of its top jewelry designers to distinguish itself in the international marketplace. Poland is the world’s second largest producer of silver jewelry and many of these designers primarily work with silver, gold and other metals.

3D necklace made of oxidized and gold-plated silver by Alicia Jakub Wyganowscy. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

At the tradeshow, several designers were featured in a special exhibit that coincided with the 25 year anniversary of Poland’s Solidarity movement. Tradeshow officials also dedicated about 60 exhibit spaces to these designers at a discounted price. That’s a significant number considering the tradeshow hosted a little more than 300 exhibitors.

Bracelet made with exotic wood, silver and gold by SzwedDesign

“The young people are creating jewelry that is interesting and different … very creative,” says Rafał Galimski, president of the MCT International Fair Centre, co-organizer of the trade fair. “We try to help them with the 60 stands.”

Amber and silver firefly resting on a piece of amber by Malgorzata Wasowska Jewellery Company

One of the selling points of Polish jewelry design (in addition to originality, design and craftsmanship) is value. The Polish currency, the Zolty, is worth about 25 percent of what the euro is worth. Poland is already an EU member and someday the country will adopt the European currency, although there is no timetable to do so. Once that happens, the cost of Polish jewelry will increase significantly. Collectors of modern jewelry may want to stock up on these pieces now. While acknowledging that adoption of the euro will be good for the country overall, Galimski says he isn’t looking forward to the increase in jewelry prices that will no doubt follow.

A yellow amber necklace by Marta Wlodarska of Amberwood. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Poland’s largest jewelry markets for Polish designer jewelry are Germany, China, Italy and the US.

Many of the designs combine a modern aesthetic with a unique artistic perspective from being isolated from the rest of the world during the Soviet occupation. In fact, the approach of many of the designers is artistic rather than market driven.

Amber and silver necklace by Jacek Ostrowski. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

“Poland is a post-Soviet country,” said Warsaw-based Marcin Zaremski, the veteran of seven jewelry designers who presented their works to reporters. “We didn’t have the formal education, so we had a lot of artists that created jewelry. I think we developed in that direction very well.”

Coloful metal necklace by Marcin Zaremski

While speaking for Polish jewelry designers in general, Zaremski wasn’t necessarily speaking for himself. He did have a formal education, attending the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw with the intent of pursuing an interior design career. However, he chose to follow his parents lead and take up jewelry design but with a personal take. His jewelry and art objects are perhaps the most accessible of the group, creating pieces with all kinds of metals from gold and silver, to steel and copper.

A piece of Csarite, a gem known for changing colors, along with jewelry made from the gem exclusive to mines in the Anatolian mountains of Turkey by Novvak Jewellery. The same gem is also marketed as Zultanite. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

A younger designer whose is getting international attention is Jacek Ostrowski from the northern Polish city of Gdansk, the center of the country’s amber jewelry industry. He works with silver, colored acrylic, crystal Swarovski Elements, and of course, Baltic amber.

“My projects are dominated by the geometry of the shape,” he says. “I’m fascinated by the simplicity of form.”

More rough amber from Amber Apple. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Meanwhile, Marta Wlodarska of Amberwood is a purist. As amber is fossilized tree resin, she chooses to create jewelry by pairing the material, sometimes in its natural state, with driftwood from the same beaches of the Baltic Sea where amber is found.

“I am fascinated by these two organic materials … the possibility to discover the things that have been hidden for millions of years,” she says. “Every piece of amber has its own story.”

However, she doesn’t shy away from using more exotic woods, such as African ebony, brick-red Padouk, and violet Amaranth.

There were plenty of traditional manufacturers working with silver, amber and other materials that were interesting as well. Among them was Novvak Jewellery, a Warsaw-based company working with a gem marketed under the name, Csarite, which comes from specific mines in the Anatolian mountains of Turkey. It’s unique to the remote area. The gem is known for its ability to change colors, from green to purplish-pink depending on the light. The same gem also is marketed under the name, “Zultanite,” which will no doubt be confusing to consumers. But it’s rare to be able to know the original of a gem without trusting the supply chain, which can be unreliable.

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September Hong Kong Jewelry Fair is a Global Event and a Gateway to China

Registration during the opening day of the 2013 September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.

The world’s largest jewelry fair is set to begin in two weeks and its organizers are still billing it as the entryway to the fastest growing jewelry market in the world: China. 

The September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair will be held from September 15 – 19 at the AsiaWorld-Expo near Hong Kong International Airport; and September 17 – 21 at the at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in the heart of the city. 

AWE will display jewelry raw materials from over 1,700 exhibitors from around the world, while HKCEC will showcase fine finished jewelry from more than 1,900 exhibitors.

China Market Research Reports reveals that 2013 jewelry sales in Mainland China were approximately $75.8 billion, equivalent to 41.2 percent of total global consumption. UBM Asia, which organizes the fair, says that Hong Kong's location and its duty-free status makes it the “ideal gateway to China and the rest of the Asia." It's a claim UBM Asia has made since I started attending the event more than 10 years ago and it's even more true now than it was back then.

“The Fair occupies 135,000 square meters of exhibition space to accommodate more than 3,680 exhibitors from 51 countries and regions,” said Sunny Chan, Deputy Fair Manager, Jewellery Fairs, UBM Asia. “We expect to welcome more than 52,000 visitors from around the world.” 

New attractions at the 32nd fair include exhibitors from Egypt, Kazakhstan, Norway and Tahiti. For the first time, coral exhibitors from Japan will exhibit under the banner of Japan Coral. Together with coral exhibitors from Taiwan and Italy, there are more than 60 coral exhibitors at AsiaWorld-Expo. 

In addition, the fair has 22 dedicated pavilions: Antwerp, Brazil, China, Columbia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United States, and the International Colored Gemstone Association, UBM Asia said. This year's “Design Arena” has increased by 40 percent in terms of exhibition space and will relocate to the Chancellor Room and Mezzanine 4 of HKCEC. Also, the International Premier Pavilion is bigger by 8.6 percent in terms of exhibition area.

This outpouring of exhibitors and attendees solidifies its reputation as a truly global event.

The Alrosa Group, Russia’s leading diamond company and the world’s biggest diamond miner by volume, will again host a diamond auction, along with the Paspaley Pearl Auction. In addition, the fair will again feature the world’s largest diamond pavilion, Asia’s biggest gemstone marketplace and the biggest display of Hong Kong jewelry in the world.

Visitor pre-registration is available at this link  until 1st September. The fair mobile app is available for download at this link. More details of special events are available by at this link. 

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Milla Jovovich is the Face of Jacob & Co.

Milla Jovovich and Jacob Arabo

BASEL, Switzerland – Jacob & Co. announced that the new face of its global advertising campaign is actress and model, Milla Jovovich. The unveiling was held March 27 during a party at the Jacob & Co. booth during Baselworld, the world’s largest watch and jewelry tradeshow.

I was unable to attend the event but earlier did get a tour of the new high-carat, high-cost jewelry and watches that company unveiled during the show, more on that later. 

The theme of the event was the representation of Jacob & Co.’s global philosophy of multiple time zones, each of the models was esthetically indicative of cities or ethnicities, including: Hong Kong, Moscow, London, Dubai and New York. Celebrated DJ Kay Rush was the MC and host of the cocktail, greeting the crowd in 5 different languages and introducing Milla Jovovich to the guests.

“This evening is an important milestone for Jacob & Co.” said Jacob Arabo, founder and owner of Jacob & Co. “We have been looking for the right personality and beauty that represents what I call; ‘The Jacob Girl’, she is a sophisticated world traveler, self accomplished and exudes an assertive feminine personality, lastly, she is absolutely gorgeous.”

JCK Luxury Privé Heads to Panama

JCK Events will launch a new tradeshow, Luxury Privé Panama, October 22 - 24 at the Westin Playa Bonita Panama City. It is an invitation-only event for upscale manufacturers and retailers.

It will be modeled after Luxury Privé New York. JCK Events said it chose to expand to Panama because the country’s central location allows access to top independent luxury retailers from Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

“As the gateway to Latin America, Panama boasts a number of benefits, from its status as a safe, sophisticated tourist and business destination to its adherence of U.S. currency,” said Dave Bonaparte, JCK senior VP. “All of these factors, not to mention the ideal weather conditions, make it an appealing market for brands to establish, maintain and grow relationships.”

Mikimoto, Stephen Webster, Chimento, JB Star, Brumani and Aaron Basha are among the 50 select exhibitors signed on to exhibit, offering retailers a one-on-one personal opportunity to learn about these brands that are new to the region. The show is targeting top retailers throughout Latin America. More than 40 retailers have already registered to attend, including Anabella, Imperiale, Mercurio, Motta and Barakat of Panama; Carranza & Carranza, Daniel & Hijos, Liverpool and Maraf of Mexico; and Tropicana Jewelers of the Caribbean.

In addition to the sales aspect of the event, there will be networking and educational opportunities. A series of pre-show education seminars will include information on “How to Sell in the Latin American Market” as part of the show’s collaboration with AMBIO, the international business development consultancy headed by Paolo Novembri. The four-day event begins October 21 with a welcome reception, followed by the show’s official opening the following day.

Cautious Optimism Fills Baselworld Buoyed by Asian Demand for Luxury

A fractured arm kept me from attending Baselworld this year. Fortunately, I know some of the best writers and experts in the jewelry and watch industry. One of those folks is William George Shuster who has kindly agreed to take time from his busy schedule to write a few stories from the tradeshow. Below is his first report from the event.

By William George Shuster
Special Correspondent

BASEL, Switzerland – Baselworld, the world’s largest and most important watch and jewelry trade show, opened March 8 amid optimistic expectations by many for good business in 2012—but not too optimistic.

“We’re confident about 2012” because of strong business results in 2011, especially in luxury due to China’s appetite for it,” said Francois Thiebaud, chairman of the show’s Swiss exhibitors and president of upscale watch brand Tissot, echoing many vendors, “but we’re not overconfident. The Eurozone crisis and debt problems elsewhere could still have effects [on business].”

This 40th annual BaselWorld fair, in Basel, Switzerland, Mar. 8 – 15, has 1,815 exhibitors (608 in watches, 689 in jewelry and 518 in related products and services) from 41 countries. More than 100,000 buyers and visitors from 100 countries are coming, and all is being reported on by more than 3,000 print, TV, radio and Internet journalists from around the globe.

The reason for their interest is obvious: Because Baselworld is, in the words of Show Director Sylvie Ritter, “a microcosm, where the players from the world’s watch and jewelry industry gather for a week.” It is an important bellwether of products, innovations and trends affecting the industry, consumers, and the retail business worldwide for year ahead.

Bullish. The cautiously bullish mood among exhibitors and analysts at the show is based on strong—even record-breaking—results for watch and jewelry exports and sales in 2011, especially in the luxury sector. That’s due largely to sharply rising consumer demand in Asia, especially China, say industry analysts in Basel. These strong business statistics for 2011 came despite many economic problems affecting sales and profits worldwide, they say, including the dramatic debt crisis in many Eurozone countries, the uncertain U.S. economy and the strong Swiss franc (which weaken Swiss watchmakers’ profits). Still, “[even] in this far-from-encouraging environment,” said Jacques J. Duchêne, long-time President of the Show Exhibitors’ Committee and former Rolex SA executive, at the annual pre-show press conference, “one industry has been able to stand up well and even break numerous records—the watch and jewelry industry.”

Indeed, it has. The year 2011 was “historic,” as Duchene put it, for the Swiss watch industry. Their exports totaled 19.3 billion Swiss francs (about $21 billion), an increase of 19.2 percent, making it the best year ever in the industry’s history—rebounding from its worst in 2009. Actual pieces exported were just under 30 million.

Unquenchable. Much of that was led by the seemingly unquenchable demand in Asia for fine watches: Over half (55 percent) of the Swiss exports went to Asia, primarily China, up 48.7 percent. (North America got 14 percent while Europe got 29 percent).

Duchene was quick to point out, however, that the Swiss success is not only due to the Far East. “It’s true demand was very buoyant in Asia,” he said, “but the watch industry has built up a good reputation in all emerging countries and succeeded in creating demand, especially in the luxury-products segment.”

So, “even in the face of a rather unfavourable economic environment, we envisage export growth in 2012,” Duchene said.

The Swiss aren’t the only ones feeling bullish about 2012. Spokesmen for the German, French, Italian, Israeli and Hong Kong delegations (the latter, being the show’s second-largest) also report good sales and export results in both watches and jewelry in 2012, despite the economic challenges, again especially in the luxury sector (and again, buoyed by record Chinese consumer consumption of revelry and watches). They too were upbeat about business results for the industry in 2012. As Gaetano Calvalieri, president of The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and spokesman for the Italian delegation, noted, “consumers in Asia, especially China, will carry Italian jewelry industry to new heights.”

Even if Chinese consumption slows slightly in 2012, as some reports suggest, “Even a one digit increase in demand this year is more than last year,” said Thiebaud.

"Excellent.” Those in the gem and diamond business also expressed upbeat predictions for 2012.

Eli Avidar, Managing Director of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies, told its annual Baselworld luncheon that 2011 was “an excellent year” for the Israeli diamond industry, which exported $7.2 billion of polished diamond, and has “emerged from the crisis [of the 2008/2009 recession] stronger.” Again, some of this is due to Asia. “There is a steady rise in demand for large diamonds in China and we believe it will go much further,” especially is the international industry invests significantly in promoting diamonds and diamond jewelry in China. He also noted that there are “signs of recovery in the U.S. economy”—unlike Europe, where was no visible increase in diamond demand in 2001 or 2012—and we expect significant rise in demand in diamond jewelry in the U.S. this year.”

William George Shuster is a multi-award winning writer—including three Jesse H. Neal Award, business journalism's highest honor. He has 40 years experience as a journalist, author and editor. He is considered one of the world’s top watch industry journalists, covering the world of timepieces for the past 30 years.

China Slows; Europe, US, Middle East Show Strength as Richemont Brands Prepare for SIHH 2014

Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Unique Travel Time

The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, considered by many to be the most luxurious and the most exclusive watch fair in the world, begins Monday. A total of 16 luxury brands, nearly all owned by luxury conglomerate Richemont SA, will be providing the first glimpse of what’s in store for 2014 in the world of high-end watches and, to a lesser extent, jewelry.

For the past few years, China has been the largest and fastest growing market for luxury watches and jewelry. However, there may be a shift in the global economy. The Hurun Report, which covers all things wealthy in China, said overall spending on luxury goods dropped 15 percent in Mainland China during the past year and gift-giving spending dropped 25 percent, possibly due to stronger anti-corruption initiatives. For the first time in five years, watch collecting as a pastime lost out to collecting traditional Chinese ink paintings.

Richemont in its preliminary third quarter earnings report said its total sales increased 3 percent to nearly $4 billion. At constant-exchange rates, growth was at 9 percent. 

Jewelry sales rose 4 percent for the period (10 percent at constant exchange rates) and watch sales rose 3 percent (9 percent at constant exchange rates). Montblanc, which sells luxury writing instruments and leather goods in addition to watches and jewelry, saw its sales slide by 4 percent (1 percent increase at constant exchange rates).

By region, the two strongest markets in terms of growth were the combined Europe and Middle East area, which saw its sales grow by 7 percent (9 percent at constant exchange rates) to 1.08 billion euro ($1.37 billion) followed by the Americas region where growth was pegged at 6 percent (12 percent at constant exchange rates) to 480 million euro ($649 million). 

Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific, led by China, grew by 1 percent (6 percent at constant exchange rates) to 1.13 billion euro ($1.52 billion). 

For SIHH, innovations in this small selection of watches that are listed below seem to be more conservative, perhaps due to the shifting global luxury economy. The use of light-weight and ultra-strong materials are not new but seem to be more prevalent this year and are being used more creatively. The five timepieces below represent a glimpse into what the brands will be presenting this coming week. I expect there will be some surprises once the show begins.

Audemars Piguet
The newest version of the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon features a white ceramic bezel, crown and push-pieces instead of black, all contained in a titanium case. In addition, the watchmaker incorporated ceramic into the movement itself, replacing the blackened upper bridge of Caliber 2913 with white ceramic. The GMT display provides an instant reading of the time in a second time-zone. It is adjusted using the push-piece at 4 o’clock (one press adjusts the time by one hour). The indication of the second time-zone, based on 12 hours, comprises two superimposed discs. The first, on which the figures are inscribed, completes one turn in 12 hours. The second, just below, completes a turn in 24 hours and has 2 colored areas: a white half for daytime and a black half for night-time. The double-barrel system ensures that the watch will runs for as long as 10 days before it needs to be manually wound.

Jaeger-LeCoultre 
The Le Sentier-based luxury watch brand’s SIHH introductions include the Duomètre Unique Travel Time (top photo), which the company says is the first world-time watch with a “to-the-minute adjustment” of a second time zone. This enables travelers to accurately set the second time zone on all continents and countries regardless of the time difference. The watch employs a “dual-wing” system that divides the Caliber 383 movement into two distinct mechanisms: the first for displaying the local time and the second showing the correct time in a second time zone. The two mechanisms share the same regulating organ but each has its own independent source of energy, thereby avoiding the losses due to interaction between the mechanisms. Each mechanism has a 50-hour power reserve and the same crown serves to wind both barrels. The timekeeping barrel is wound by a counter-clockwise rotation and the travel-time barrel by a clockwise rotation. 

Two subdials, the first at 2 o’clock displays the hour and minute hand; while the second at 10 o’clock hosts the jumping hour and minutes of the travel time. The globe at 6 o’clock displays a world map surrounded by the time-zone indications and the day/night ring. The single crown is used to adjust the local time in position 2 and the travel time in position 1, and to wind the mainsprings. Once both time zones are synchronized, the traveler can use the push-pieces at 8 and 10 o’clock to adjust the jumping hours in the left subdial according to the destination. For non-standard time zones, the minutes can be adjusted separately using the crown in position 1.

Montblanc
The venerable luxury brand is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its TimeWalker collection with the TimeWalker Extreme Chronograph DLC. The watch is covered in a “diamond-like carbon (DLC)” coating described as “Black 4”, which stands for “very black.” The company says it is nearly impossible to fabricate a darker black. The watch is powered by the automatic mechanical Caliber MB 4810/507 equipped with an integrated chronograph function. The black of the new TimeWalker chronograph´s case continues in different shades on the large planar dial. The three subdials—one that reads seconds and two chronograph’s elapsed-time counters—are positioned at 6, 9 and 12 o’clock. Anthracite-grey ruthenium-colored hands and luminescent Superluminova numerals provide contrast to the dark watch. The finishing touch is a black vulcanized rubber strap. 

Ralph Lauren
The brand will be introducing several timepieces for men and women. Among them is the safari adventure “aged-steel” watch available for the first time in a 39mm size. Powered by the RL300-1 caliber, the ultra-masculine case of the RL67 Chronometer 39mm is created through a treatment that transforms the blackened steel into a patina finish. The rugged aesthetic is enhanced with a matte-varnished anthracite dial with dial two luminescent sword-shaped hands and a shiny orange baton stem. The self-winding wristwatch is worn on an olive-green “weathered” canvas strap that pays tribute to the visual accents of an explorer’s shoulder bag.

Vacheron Constantin 
The oldest and one of the most prestigious Swiss watchmaker, Vacheron Constantin, will introduce the latest version of its Malte Tourbillon Collection Excellence Platine. The pure, uncluttered platinum dial with a sandblasted finish is discreetly adorned with the inscription “Pt 950” appearing between 4 and 5 o’clock. along with white gold Roman numerals and hour-markers. The tourbillon bearing the seconds hand is at the 6 o’clock position. The platinum tonneau-shaped case measures 38 x 48.24mm. Platinum is also used for the folding clasp on the dark blue alligator strap. The timepiece is powered by the 169-part mechanical hand-wound caliber 2795 with a power reserve of almost two days. The tourbillon carriage displays the brand’s signature Maltese cross emblem.

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An Early Start for Asia’s Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Fair

Asia’s Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Fair (3FJ) will be held February 18 – 21, at Halls 3, 6 and 8 of the AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong. It is being held several weeks earlier than its usual March run to suit the international trade-event calendar, allowing buyers an early view of the trends for autumn and winter of 2012.
   
More than 370 exhibitors will participate, up 14 percent from last year. Jewelry suppliers and manufacturers, accessories companies and other exhibitors will represent 17 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Nepal, Netherlands, the Philippines, Samoa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. 

Two new theme zones—“Sense Zone” and “Fashion Accessories Zone”—will debut. Sense Zone will feature brands, while the Fashion Accessories Zone will showcase handbags, scarves, belts, and other accessories. In addition, four group pavilions representing mainland China, Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan will display the market specialties of these exhibitors.

“This year, the fair expands by 20 percent to three halls in response to the demand of exhibition space,” said Celine Lau, Director of Jewelry Fairs of UBM Asia Ltd., which organizes the tradeshow. “It reflects 3FJ’s growing reputation as an important marketplace for fashion jewelry and accessories.”

UBM Asiahas arranged free, continuous luxury bus service running from Wanchai and Tsim Sha Tsui to the AsiaWorld-Expo.

China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair – Shenzhen

The China International Gold, Jewelry & Gem Fair – Shenzhen, Southern China’s prime jewelry event, marks its 10th anniversary.

This trade-show features over 350 exhibitors, including wholesale jewelry suppliers and manufacturers, from more than 14 countries including China, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Macau, Poland, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the USA.

The fair runs from February 10 - 13 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center and includes finished jewelry, polished diamonds, pearls, colored gemstones, packaging and displays will be showcased, as well as jewelry-making equipment, tools and machinery. It is organized by UBM Asia Ltd., a leading trade fair company.

Billed as the ‘City of Jewelry’ in China, Shenzhen is the country’s leading jewelry manufacturing, processing and trading center. Bolstered by its proximity to Hong Kong, Shenzhen has developed a complete jewelry production chain. It accounts for up to 70 percent of China’s jewelry production and 90 percent of China’s gold, platinum and diamond processing.

Among the companies exhibiting, are Aspire Designs, APM Group, Fai Po Jewellery, Gandhi Enterprises, Gold Point Jewellery, Legrand Jewellery, KTL Jewelry, Man Sang Jewelry, Rio Pearl, Sunny Gems, Sky Jewellery, Shenzhen Zixinglin Jewelry, Xing Zhong Tai Gemstone,  Yuanzhizuan Jewellery and Vetorisn Jewelry.

The fair offers a variety of fine jewelry and raw materials, including:

• Gold jewellery
• Platinum jewellery
• Silver jewellery
• Pearl, diamond and gemset jewellery
• Diamonds
• Jadeite
• Pearls
• Gemstones
• Machinery and equipment
• Tools and technology
• Packaging and display
• Related products and services
 
Other activities associated with the fair include “Gold Day,” hosted by the China Gold Association, which provides an opportunity to update themselves on the latest gold jewelry trends and market developments in China; a seminar on adding value by designing with eco-friendly materials; and factory visits.