The exhibition was held September 6-10 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. It returned to full capacity this year after a reduction in the number of exhibitions during the pandemic. Attendance will reach a total of 30,000, exceeding expectations.
Professional jewellers arrived from all over the world to buy bulk coloured gemstones. They occupied about half of the exhibition space. There was a presence from the USA and Europe. But the largest number of exhibitors were from China, Taiwan and Vietnam.
“The show is going extremely well,” said Sanjana Timsina, sales representative of Perfect Shine Global, a Bangkok-based bulk stoneware company. “Thailand is known as a hub for coloured stones. So people come here looking for high-quality rubies, sapphires and emeralds. We see a lot of people from China, but we expect more people from Russia, Europe, America and Australia.”.
Local jewellery store Beauty Gems was one of the exhibitors at the Bangkok show.
“Traffic is better than last year and, so far, better than the beginning of the year.” Said Adipong Thawornviriyanan, from ruby supplier Sung Gems in Thailand's Chanthaburi district. “Individual rubies, mostly unprocessed - some buyers prefer natural stones - are popular.”.
Thailand's coloured gemstone market has experienced a resurgence following the pandemic. Recently this has prompted companies such as London-based Gemfields and Dubai's Fura to move their auction centres to the country. In addition, the country is world-renowned for its heat treatment technique. That is the technique that can extract the most exquisite light, clarity and hue from coloured gemstones.
About half of the showroom was for the bulk colored gemstones.
Coloured gemstones may be the main attraction of the Bangkok exhibition. But silver, gold and diamonds were also very much in evidence. The fine jewellery at the fair included everything. From sustainable creations in pure gold to presentations with coloured gemstones and diamonds and imaginative designs.
Nutchaya Maneewetwarodom, managing director of Chanthaburi-based Taevika, was pleased. There was response for her unique jewellery with mother of pearl, pink sapphires, pink quartz and more. “People are drawn to the style and also the story telling of each piece,” she said. Maneewetwarodom displayed her works both at her booth and at the “Magnificent 40-Year Journey of Brilliance” exhibition showcasing Thai artisans.
Rupak Kumar Agrawal, marketing executive of Jay Vijay Diamond Co. told JCK. “CVD [lab-grown] diamonds are making the market a little difficult. But we think natural ones will move more.” He expects sales to be up in the final days of the fair.
“There are some orders, there is interest,” said Mohammed Mahallati, director of Mahallati Jewellery, a Dubai company that manufactures in Thailand. “You don't need to make a sale here right now. You need to be in touch, build your customer base, get to know them and have them get to know you.” Mahallati has become one of Thailand's largest jewellers and took a prominent place at the show.
The Bangkok Gem and Jewellery Show is expected to bring in nearly $85 million in business.
According to the assessment of Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, Director General of the Department of International Trade Promotion of the Thai Ministry of Commerce, which jointly organised the event with the Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand. Jewellery and gemstones were Thailand's ninth largest export in 2022 and industry officials are forecasting an increase of up to 10% this year.
Source: jckonline.com
