Multi-gem brooch with diamonds in 18-karat gold by Jurassic Colored Diamonds, Taiwan.

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Barbara Anderson
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1 Multi-gem brooch with diamonds in 18-karat gold by Jurassic Colored Diamonds, Taiwan. Expectations were cautious at the start of this year s September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, the world s second largest show of its kind. By the end of the event, this caution proved justified. Results were mixed, with the vast majority of polled exhibitors reporting a quiet show. And, to add to the mix, another show opened in Hong Kong at the same time, the International Gem & Jewellery Festival, held in tents on the Central Harbourfront, not far from the main convention centre. By Cynthia Unninayar 44 solitaire INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2016

COVER STORY he 34th edition of the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show was held at the large Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in the Wanchai section of Hong Kong island from September 15

According to UBM, the fair s organiser, the fair included approximately 3,600 exhibitors from 55 nations less than last year s numbers.

Sentiments among the exhibitors I spoke with ran the gamut from disappointment to resignation to moderately happy. As one commented, the show was solid mediocrity.

2 COVER STORY he 34th edition of the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show was held at the large Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in the Wanchai section of Hong Kong island from September 15 to 18, while the 4th edition of the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show took place at Asia World Expo (AWE) near the airport from September 13 to 16. According to UBM, the fair s organiser, the fair included approximately 3,600 exhibitors from 55 nations less than last year s numbers. This is perhaps not surprising, given the downward trend over the last year or more in terms of declining numbers of both exhibitors and buyers at the world s major trade fairs. Sentiments among the exhibitors I spoke with ran the gamut from disappointment to resignation to moderately happy. As one commented, the show was solid mediocrity. Others indicated that while a number of people looked around, very few were serious buyers. But, as is always the case, there were those exhibitors who, thankfully, had a good show, even if they were the minority, according to my anecdotal survey. Of the twin shows, traffic seemed higher at the AWE, especially in the diamond section. Having said that, however, most people still indicated that that show was very slow. What the show lacked in traffic, exhibitors made up for in terms of creative jewels and gems. Remarkable opal necklace by Top Kang, Taiwan. Gorgeous jewels Jewellery at the main convention centre included not only jewels from inexpensive man-made jewellery to everyday wearable pieces to multi-million dollar luxury jewels but also semi-mounts, packaging and related products. Among the special events was the unveiling of Reena Ahluwalia s diamond portrait painting of Aaron Shum s patented Coronet diamond, which took the artist 45 days to complete. This occasion also signified the launch of the collaboration between the noted Hong Kong manufacturer and the awardwinning Canadian jewellery designer and diamond painter. Having long admired Aaron Shum as an innovator and creator of the Coronet, I am thrilled to collaborate with Aaron Shum Jewellery on two of my passions jewellery design innovation Asymmetrical earrings in sapphires and diamonds by Magerit, Spain. Diwali earrings in gemstones and diamonds by Amrapali, India. Rainbow druzy with aquamarine pendant in 18-karat gold by AJ Jewellery, Singapore. solitaire INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER

Emerald and diamond bracelet by Smart Arts,

Aaron Shum and Reena Ahluwalia pose in front

3 Emerald and diamond bracelet by Smart Arts, Thailand. Diamond and emerald earrings by Bapalal Keshavlal, India. Aaron Shum and Reena Ahluwalia pose in front of her painting of the Coronet diamond that was unveiled at the Aaron Shum booth. Moonstone necklace and earrings in 18-karat gold by Green G, Hong Kong. Teeth from the dinosaur Carcharodontosaurus, a relative of T-Rex, from Starborn Creations, US. 46 solitaire INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2016

COVER STORY Two faceted demantoid garnets from Namibia, on display at the IGJF show, Hong Kong. and diamond storytelling through my paintings, Ahluwalia commented.

Among the more colourful high jewellery gemstone collections was an array of amazing animal jewellery by Thailand-based Zorab Creation.

4 COVER STORY Two faceted demantoid garnets from Namibia, on display at the IGJF show, Hong Kong. and diamond storytelling through my paintings, Ahluwalia commented. In addition to her rendition of the Coronet diamond, seven of her other beautiful and unique diamond paintings were on display at the Aaron Shum booth. Among the more colourful high jewellery gemstone collections was an array of amazing animal jewellery by Thailand-based Zorab Creation. From marine creatures to jungle lions to our fine-feathered friends, Zorab s designs in 18-karat gold were bold and delightfully whimsical. On a more fantastical level, Spanish brand Magerit featured a spectacular booth, which provided a fitting backdrop to its signature collections of fantasy designs in diamonds, gems and 18-karat gold. Russian brand Mousson Atelier also served up stylish colour with a wide range of gemstone designs in 18-karat gold. Singapore brand AJ Jewellery featured some original designs in unusual gems, while US-brand Caroline C showcased an exquisite selection of some of her Spectrum Award-winning creations, among other luxurious jewels. Several high-end Indian brands were present at the show, including Bapalal Keshavlal, Masterstrokes (a high-end brand of Jewels Emporium) and Amrapali, all with original and colourful designs. Dazzling diamonds Over at AWE, in the diamond areas, buyers seemed to loosen up a bit. Sales were reasonable, if not in perfect congruence with the Beautiful Oregon sunstone and diamond pendant in gold by Sonja Kreis, Germany. great number of buyers who attended, but all in all, we are feeling very optimistic, stated Yoram Dvash, president of the Israel Diamond Exchange, when commenting on the sentiment among exhibitors in the Israel Diamond Pavilion, one of the fair s largest. In addition to buyers from India, who come every year, there were many buyers from other East-Asian nations, Dvash said, adding that he felt buyers were regaining trust in the market. Over at the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion, coloured diamonds seemed to be attracting a fair amount of interest at the stand of Antwerp Cut, a specialist in natural fancy colours. It has been a reasonable show, said Mike Akiki, managing director. Nearby, one of the more unusual diamond booths was that of The Buddha Diamond, which showcased a delightful range of faceted white diamonds in the shape of the Buddha in various sizes. Rio Tinto promoted its Australian Diamonds programme that was launched earlier in China, in an effort to lend further market support to its Argyle diamonds, as well as in response to a growing interest in diamond provenance. Increasingly, the value Opal, ready for a necklace by Cody Opals, Australia. Whimsical crocodile ring in gemstones and diamonds by Zorab Creation, Thailand. Spectrum Award-winning star sapphire and diamond ring by Caroline C, US. solitaire INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER

Watermelon tourmaline pairs from Tavares Gems, Brazil. Beautiful opal rough by True Blue Opals, on display at the IGJF show, Australia. Selection of indicolite tourmaline by Aminco, Thailand/Nigeria.

Also in the general diamond area, India-based Venus Jewel displayed its impressive online system of showcasing the company s diamonds, from rough to faceted.

transparent grading report available. Gems and more Buyers may have been scarce, but there was no scarcity of variety and quality in the coloured gemstone section.

5 Watermelon tourmaline pairs from Tavares Gems, Brazil. Beautiful opal rough by True Blue Opals, on display at the IGJF show, Australia. Selection of indicolite tourmaline by Aminco, Thailand/Nigeria. of a diamond is tied to where and how the diamond was mined, how it was cut and polished and the process of bringing it to sale, stated Bruno Sane, general manager of marketing. Also in the general diamond area, India-based Venus Jewel displayed its impressive online system of showcasing the company s diamonds, from rough to faceted. This technology includes complete reports on every aspect of each diamond it sells, including its Venus Grading System (VGS) and its Venus Grading Report (VGR), which is the most detailed and transparent grading report available. Gems and more Buyers may have been scarce, but there was no scarcity of variety and quality in the coloured gemstone section. Just about anything could be found in these halls, including a few rare teeth from the Carcharodontosaurus dinosaur, a relative of T-Rex, offered by US-based Starborn Creations. Other unusual items featured at its stand were carved purple opal statues and blue Caribbean amber. Paraiba tourmaline continued its starring role in the world of colour. Paraiba is one of our bestsellers, said Marcelo Bernardes of Brazil-based Manoel Bernardes, a supplier of coloured gems. Still in the tourmaline family, but this time for a different shade of blue was Thailand-based Aminco Gems, a subsidiary of the Nigerian enterprise A.A.Y. International Mining Company Ltd. Our indicolite, both rough and faceted, has garnered a lot of attention, noted Zoe Michelou, marketing manager. Continuing the blue theme, but in superb examples of tanzanite, was USbased AG Color. Hemant Phophaliya, president of the brand, indicated that sales were decent, especially in light of the global economic situation. Creativity was also seen at Australia-based Cody Opals, where opal was cut into necklace-size pieces, among other beautiful stones from down under. Opals were also among the splendid gems on the menu at Japan-based Anjali Jewels. Neil Kandira remarked that its fossilised opals were drawing special interest. On the orangey side of the gem, fire opals were one of the bestselling gems at Brazil-based Sabbagh Bros, which also presented a large variety of other gems, all faceted in the company s workshops in Brazil. Watermelon tourmaline was seen at a number of booths, including Brazil-based Tavares Gems, which also carried cat s-eye 48 solitaire INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2016

comprehensive master set of rubies compiled to date. Multi-gem pendant in 18-karat gold by Mousson Atelier, Russia. gems including tourmaline, aquamarine and chrysoberyl.

Gemfields took the occasion to launch its Masterclass Ruby Edition, a new educational tool that covers the geology, geographic origin, history, qualities and classification of the red International

Running from September 13 to 18, the IGJF featured some 330 exhibitors from Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Lithuania, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan

6 COVER STORY gems. Coming in three different levels Basic, Fundamental and Advanced the series is hailed by Gemfields as the most comprehensive learning experience available and will be accompanied by the most comprehensive master set of rubies compiled to date. Multi-gem pendant in 18-karat gold by Mousson Atelier, Russia. gems including tourmaline, aquamarine and chrysoberyl. German brand Sonja Kreis featured several remarkable rutilated quartz specimens, as well as a number of beautiful jewels incorporating Oregon sunstone. Gemfields took the occasion to launch its Masterclass Ruby Edition, a new educational tool that covers the geology, geographic origin, history, qualities and classification of the red International Gem & Jewellery Festival (IGJF) This year, only a short taxi ride down the road from the large convention centre, a tent show was held at the Central Harbourfront. Running from September 13 to 18, the IGJF featured some 330 exhibitors from Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Lithuania, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan Thailand, Turkey and the US. While traffic was also light at this small fair, the exhibitors offered a very nice selection of goods. Among them was Green Dragon Mine, which featured remarkable Namibian demantoid gems. The Australian pavilion showcased many beautiful stones, both polished and rough. Spinels, rubies and sapphires were in abundance at the booths of the Myanmar companies. There was even an exhibition of extraordinary jade statues that make up part of the world s largest jade collection. The show was definitely worth the visit. Management of the IGJF indicated that they have plans to hold another show next September at the same time as the UBM show. Winners of JNA Awards Rajesh Lakhani (right), director, Kiran Gems Pvt. Ltd. and Gautam Gopani (centre), director, Kiran Exports HK Ltd. receiving the JNA Manufacturer of the Year award in the Cut and Polished Diamonds category. KGK Group chairman Navrattan Kothari (right) receiving the JNA award in the Outstanding Enterprise of the Year Greater China category. Prima Gold was selected as an Honouree in the Brand of the Year Retail category of the JNA Awards solitaire INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER

June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair Exhibitor Survey Report

June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2012 Exhibitor Survey Report Survey Summary Total number of visitors: 1,790 Onsite survey Collected: 939 Onsite survey response rate: 52. [939 / 1,790] Invited online