IIJS SIGNATURE 2008, GOA - INDIA

IIJS Signature 2008 organized by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council is scheduled to be held at Kala Academy in Panaji, Goa located at the confluence of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea. IIJS Signature will represent only the best India has to offer - in design, craftsmanship and quality... an exclusive feast of high-end jewellery which blends effortlessly with affluent lifestyle trends the world over.

As hosts of an invitation-only jewellery event, IIJS Signature is inviting select exhibitors, comprising the most reputed jewellery companies in the industry. Each is chosen on a strict set of criteria to match the requirements of the invited clientele. Trade visitors too will represent the crème de la crème of the world jewellery industry. Delegations to IIJS Signature are coming from the countries like Uzbekistan, Italy, Hungary, UAE, Poland, Russia, Iran, Japan, Israel, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc.

Buyers will come away with a new show experience - in ambience, hospitality and style, while finding just the merchandise they need. More than 150 individual buyers have confirmed from various countries such as Hong Kong, Nigeria, Saudia Arabia, Norway, Turkey, Australia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, USA, UK, Thailand, etc.

It is small enough to be effective, and yet will feature diverse jewellery collections. The venue - Goa - is India's paradise by the sea on its west coast, and one of its most popular tourist destinations. The main focus of IIJS Signature is to combine business with pleasure thus GJEPC has organized array of soirée to start with welcome dinner on the 28th of February, Gala Dinner with Indian theme on the 29th and Barefoot in Temptation Island on the 1st of March, 2008. It's more than a jewellery show, it's going to be a complete experience.

Enhancement of gemstones – Part I

Luster or fire, color or lack of color, iridescence, opalescence, asterism and chatoyance (cat’s-eye or star effect) are some of the unique properties that increase the beauty and value of a gemstone. Since the beginning of civilization jewelers have increased their profits by using various means of making gemstones appear more attractive and valuable. In Harappa and Lothal, sites of the Indus valley civilization, archaeologists have uncovered pieces of agate and carnelian that were cooked in charcoal furnaces to change their color and enhance their appeal. Even in the ancient cities of Egypt, Ur, and Babylon, gem traders commonly practiced some kind of gemstone enhancements. Egyptian payrii describe some of their techniques, as for instance, how pearls were bleached by passing them through the intestines of a live cock or by soaking them in slaked lime. Verdigris and vinegar, oil and calves bile formed part of a process to make Emeralds. Various gemstones of Indian origin found in the tomb of Tutankhamen indicate that Indian traders of that time were experts at improving gems. Practitioners of the art of treating gem kept their treatment recipes, even those based on deception, as very closely guarded secrets then, as they do even today.

Colored stones, as all stones other than diamonds are termed, account for about a fifth of the huge gemstone trade. The supply as well as the price in the colored stone market is dictated by demand, availability and ethnic considerations, all driven by greed, fashion and illusion. Large clear specimens of good colors are exceedingly rare and cannot be valued by any formula; their price is determined entirely by negotiation. It is therefore only natural that even today, improved, simulated or imitation gems continue to defraud customers. The gems that stud jewelry are sometimes backed with metal foil, cloth, butterfly wings, and peacock feathers to increase their luster. Doublets and triplets where a genuine but thin stone is glued to cheaper material to increase the weight and luster are common, especially in Opals. Synthetic emeralds are grown over natural quartz to simulate a large and much more valuable emerald. To uncover such fakes, a recognized laboratory should carry out tests to detect such other fraudulent methods.

Hong Kong Airport International Jewellery Show

A brand new Hong Kong and China Jewellery Sourcing show will be held at the Asia-World Expo from 28th February to 3rd March 2008 in Hong Kong. This brand new show is jointly organized by six industry forces: Hong Kong Gemstone Manufacturers' Association (HKGMA) with "Hong Kong Pearl Association", "Hong Kong Jadeware Traders Industry & Commerce Association", " Hong Kong Gold & Silver Ornament Workers & Merchants General Union", "Taiwan Jewelry Industry Association" and "Neway International Trade Fairs Ltd.".

This Show, which aims at sourcing China's gems and pearls, is a professional jewellery show in Hong Kong. It creates an ideal trading platform to gather gemstone and pearl manufacturers in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Its features include:

• Spectacular showcase of precious stone, semi precious stone and pearl with concentration of manufacturers in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
  


• Spacious area to display a wide range of diversified gemstone material which convenient for buyers to browse and to source here.
  


• The Airport Show and the Wan Chai HKTDC show (4-8 Mar) create a 10 days Gem & Jewellery Purchasing hub in the spring season. Buyers can arrange their itinerary in a more flexible way.

For enquiries, please feel free to contact Ms. Phyllis Wong or Ms. Rae Lam at +852.2362.0093 or by email: info@hkgma.org

Padparadscha regains status in the Japanese market

Natural-colour orange-pink sapphires, or padparadscha that originate from Sri Lanka are enjoying very strong demand among consumers in Japan, dealers said, showing that the rare gemstone has regained its popularity in that market.

The Largest Jewellery Trade Fair of South India

GJIIE Feb 15-17 in Chennai

The curtain rises on February 15th to unveil the 4th edition of the Gem and Jewellery India International Exhibition ("GJIIE"), the most-awaited jewellery show in South India organized by Madras Jewellers & Diamond Merchants' Association (MJDMA). GJIIE 2008 is the largest Jewellery Business-to-Business (B2B) Trade Show in South India.

India is the largest consumer of the gold in the world and South India accounts for more than 45% of this Gold Consumption. Chennai and Tamilnadu is the Epicenter of the demand for Gold Jewellery in South India. Since time immemorial, the Gold Jewellery Trade in South India is conducted through Chennai. This is the reason, why the Madras Jewellers & Diamond Merchants' Association took the initiative of organizing First Ever Trade Fair on Gold Jewellery in Chennai in 2005. The objective was to bring the best of Gold and Jewellery Manufacturers from across India under a Single Roof to cater to the demands of the South Indian Jewellery Industry.

The Show has grown in stature over years. This year the Exhibition which will be held at Chennai Trade Centre, from February 15-17, 2008 will feature over 150 Top Manufacturers from India and Abroad. Over 12,000 Jewellery Retailers from all over South India are expected to visit this Trade Show.

GJIIE is timed strategically before the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya which witnesses a huge gold-buying frenzy in South India. This timing ensures that Jewellery Retailers have the advantage of stocking up in order to meet the increased demand.

Some of the Special Features of the Exhibition is a separate Kerala Pavilion showcasing Light Weight Gold Jewellery and Participants from Bangkok showcasing Silver Jewellery. In the Last Edition of GJIIE in the year 2007, the Exhibitors reported substantial orders as retailers from in and around Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala & Karnataka visited the show to view the latest offerings and add up to their stocks. Most exhibitors reported good to excellent business with serious trade queries from small towns of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The 20 Exhibitors from the Kerala Pavilion were extremely happy with queries from Madurai, Salem & Chennai. Lightweight gold jewellery ranging from handcrafted chains, necklaces, jhumkas, ear studs, cummerbunds, armbands and pendants were much sought after. Exhibitors from Kolkatta, Ahmedabad & Jaipur received many queries from Chennai, Hyderabad and Coimbatore for necklaces and bangles. Mumbai chain manufacturers also achieved good business deals.

GJIIE 2008 is organized by Madras Jewellers & Diamond Merchants' Association which is one of the oldest Jewellery Associations in the Country. Madras Jewellers & Diamond Merchants' Association (MJDMA) is organizing this exhibition for the betterment of the Jewellery Trade. The exhibition is supported by World Gold Council and the Platinum Guild International and it is Event Managed by Professional Jewellery Exhibition Organizers, Expoworld, Bangalore.

GJIIE 2008 is a must visit Jewellery Trade Fair for all the Jewellery Retailers of South India. The Entry Fee is low to attract more visitors. The exhibition is on from February 15-17, 2008 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai and the visitors can do on the Spot Registration also.