Bahrain is all set to host the largest ever edition of Jewellery Arabia, the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watch exhibition, this November

Jewellery Arabia 2015 will be the largest ever in the prestigious event’s 24-year history with more than 600 exhibitors dazzling the crowds in Bahrain this November. 

Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watch exhibition is set to take place from November 24 to 28 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. 

Across five spectacular days, exhibitors from 30 nations will showcase their precious wares across an area of 21,000 sq m at the venue, which includes specially commissioned temporary halls, according to Arabian Exhibition Management (AEM), the event’s organisers.

On sale will be a dazzling range of finished jewellery, luxury timepieces, precious stones, antiques, objets d’art, jewellery packaging and technology from around the globe.

Famous jewellery houses, including major brand names, will be making a return appearance at the show. Many of these high-profile international jewellery and watch brands will use the exhibition as a platform to introduce exclusive collections and limited edition pieces to the Middle East collector’s market.

“The show has grown by 17 per cent in 2015, and is our largest show to date,” says AEM’s Director of Sales and Marketing Fawzi Al Shehabi. Visitors can look forward to new exhibitors and features, exclusive previews, inspiring trends, one-of-a-kind design pieces and the opportunity to purchase from the largest selection of jewellery and watches in the Middle East. We are looking forward in all confidence to another outstanding event this year.”

Complementing these iconic brands are nine national groups from leading jewellery export countries. They include returning delegations of the finest retailers, designers and manufacturers from Hong Kong, India, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and the UK. New for 2015 is a group from the US. Collectively, these groups reflect the very best manufacturing capabilities, design expertise and gemmological resources that their respective countries have to offer. 

Joining international brands and national groups are a host of independent companies from all over the world, including a selection of Bahrain’s leading jewellers.

“Over the last 24 years, Jewellery Arabia has steadily evolved into the single most important jewellery and watch exhibition in the Middle East. Its reputation, size, quality of exhibits and sheer variety is unique in the region. 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 launch new collections and introduce special items,” said Al Shehabi.

Last year’s show attracted more than 50,000 buyers from 47 countries, marking a 3.5 per cent increase in attendance. Overseas visitors from the region’s single largest jewellery market, Saudi Arabia, accounted for 30 per cent of the total with significant support also coming from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, the UAE and other neighbouring countries.


SEMINARS

To assist visitors in making informed buying choices, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the world’s foremost authority on gemmology, will conduct complimentary seminars at the event.

Experienced GIA instructors will provide visitors with information on different facets of gems and jewellery. Topics include diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, how to read GIA grading reports and tips when purchasing jewellery. 

Highlighting the importance of Jewellery Arabia to the industry, for the 11th successive year, the Middle East Premier Awards for Watches, Jewellery and Pens will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition at the Four Seasons Hotel on November 23.

Hosted by MPP ME, publishers of the industry magazine title Arabian Watches and Jewellery (AWJ), the Awards are the culmination of an online public voting system and the analysis of an elite committee comprising watch, jewellery and pen experts.

The ceremony will be a star-studded event with the expected presence of specially invited dignitaries and senior professionals representing the international and regional watch, jewellery and pen industries.

Since its inception in 1977, Bahrain-based AEM has staged more than 150 events. An affiliate of Allworld Exhibitions, AEM’s calendar caters to a wide range of industry sectors, including oil and gas; refining and petrochemicals; geosciences; jewellery and watches; and consumer goods.