At a Saturday evening reception in the Thailand Pavilion, guests were treated to music, several traditional-dance performances, and a jewelry fashion show. There were also welcoming speeches from Chantra Purnariksha, director general for the Thai Department of Export Promotion; Wilawan Atichat, director of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand; and John Tierney, group sales director for the JCK Shows.

In her opening speech, Purnariksha noted that Thai gem and jewelry suppliers have been exhibitors at The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas for all 15 years of its existence. However, this years’ approximately 65 Thai exhibitors are not all in one place, and many Thai jewelry promoters would like to see them together. Purnariksha said she’s hoping for a better position next year—a Thai pavilion in the main hall. “We are your good partners,” she said.

Wilawan Atichat was asked about the disclosure of beryllium-treated corundum. “We have recently banned the production of all beryllium-treated blue sapphire,” Atichat said. “There is a joint statement explaining our position and concern on our Web site, www.git.or.th. We are currently doing in-depth research to find ways to identify this.”

“We want the U.S. retailers to think of Thailand as one of the most important cutting centers of the world. We have everything here,” said Purnariksha. “Everything from commercial quality to high-end for you to choose from.”

Thailand will export close to $4 billion of gems and jewelry in 2007.

JCK