Nearly 2,000 exhibitors converged on the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show which opens today (March 6) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day exhibition was organized by the Trade development Council in conjunction with four major associations: the Hong Kong Jewellers' & Goldsmiths' Association, Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association, Hong Kong Jewellery Manufacturers' Association and the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong.

Overseas groups taken part included the International Coloured Gemstone Association, the Japan Jewellery Association, the Japan Jewellery Designers' Association and the Platinum Guild International.

The fair, now in its 23rd year, continues to attract huge crowds and has become the second largest fair of its kind in Asia. A record of 1,970 exhibitors from 41 countries has taken part this year. They included Italy, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Korea, the US, Belgium, the Chinese mainland and, for the first time, the Czech Republic and Cyprus. Hong Kong dominated the show with over 1,100 exhibitors.

The organizers have opened an extra hall to accommodate the large number of exhibitors. A wide array of gems of all colours and designs was on display. The fair also featured special zones where loose diamonds and a range of precious stones were on show. A new zone, called Treasures of Nature has become a crowd-drawer. Other zones included Le Salon Extraordinaire and Designer Jewellery Galleria, where finest jewellery from 39 brands and stylish jewellery from 48 famous designers were on display. Quality timepieces and brand name jewellery watches from 54 manufacturers were on show at the Watch and Clock Pavilion. Another feature of the fair was the Les Salons Prives, an enclosure where buyers and exhibitors discussed business in private and in comfort near the centre of the exhibition hall.

The TDC has made arrangements for more than 50 buying missions or over 2,300 major buyers from around the world to visit the fair.

Other highlights included:
Mini Parade - Models showcased a wide selection of exquisite jewellery and watches from the Designer Jewellery Galleria, Watch & Clock Pavilion and Le Salon Extraordinaire .
Jewellery Display - Award-winning designs from the 7th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition and the Chuk Kam Jewellery Design Competition were on display to promote the works of local designers.

Seminars - Industry experts gave talks on the makeup of diamond, ruby and jade. Other topics included jewellery trends in Europe and the jewellery retail business on the Chinese mainland.
Jewellery Auctions - Paspaley and Robert Wan Tahiti, two internationally acclaimed pearl companies, held pearl auctions for invited buyers at the Grand Foyer (March 4-6), and in Room 301-312 (March 7-8).