Online jewelry retailer Bidz.com has launched an Arabic-language version of its online auction site, Bidz.com.

This version of the Web site can be accessed by clicking the “Arabic” banner on the company’s homepage. The company has also hired Arabic speaking marketing personnel to assist the new clientele.

The site is geared to Arabic-speakers, of which there are over 400 million worldwide, the Culver City, Calif.-based company said in a statement. It is expected that the majority of sales conducted in Arabic will come from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, that already rank in Bidz.com’s top ten countries by sales. The company said will use both internet and traditional advertising in the Middle East to publicize its Arabic translation.

Bidz.com derives approximately 25 percent of its revenue from outside the U.S., and international revenue grew 56 percent in the second quarter of 2008, the company said. The Arabic-language site is the second in a series of non-English sites, which will seek to tap into the auction site’s attractiveness around the world and will diversify the company’s revenue stream. The company successfully launched a Spanish language version of its online auction site in May of 2008.

“Our exciting auction format delivers unsurpassed value to consumers, and we have already seen strong willingness of Middle Eastern customers to make jewelry purchases online from overseas,” said Leon Kuperman, chief technology officer and vice president of Business Development of Bidz.com. “We believe that the demand for jewelry in the Middle East is among the strongest in the world, and see the Arabic translation as a tremendous growth opportunity for the Company.”

Bidz.com, founded in 1998, offers products through a live auction format as well as a fixed price online retail store.

JCK