More than 30,000 visitors—both trade and consumer—attended the Jaipur Jewellery Show, north India’s biggest show, held Dec. 23–26, 2005, at the Raj Mahal Palace hotel. Show organizers said 2005 attendance increased 45 percent over 2004 figures.
Rashmikant Durlabhji, con- vener of the show, said many new retailers visited the show for the first time and that exhibitors reported an increase in business from both current and new accounts. Show organizers also upgraded the ambience and amenities at the show in 2005.
Exhibitor Praful Patel said, “This is our first time at JJS, and we have had a fantastic response from both local and international visitors, especially for our new range with sapphire and diamonds. It has been a very good show for us.”
On display was a wide range of finished jewelry, loose diamonds, and loose colored gemstones, and a pavilion was reserved for machinery and tools and related products. Key trends were demand for loose gemstones and fashion-focused pieces targeted to the female self-purchase market. Pearls, especially multistrand designs with precious stones, also proved popular.
Shmuel Schnitzer, president of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, gave the opening address. He thanked the organizers for giving him an opportunity to get a close encounter with the vibrant colored-gemstone world. “As diamonds are forever, the magic of color stones is also everlasting,” he said.
Among the many VIPs at the show were Yehuda Kassif of the International Colored Gemstone Association; Vasundhara Raje, chief minister of Rajasthan; Narpat Singh Rajvi, industry minister; Her Highness Maharani Gayatri Devi; and His Highness Shri Bhawani Singh of Jaipur.
Highlights of the show included a jewelry fashion show and a seminar program. Indian jewelry manufacturers whose designs were featured in the fashion show included Amrapali, Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas, Kalajee Jewellery, Motisons, RMC, and Sara Jewels.
At the seminar program, Shimul Mehta Vyas of the National Institute of Design shared some new and innovative approaches to design and manufacturing in her presentation titled “Conceptual Thinking in Jewellery Design.” A representative from eBay discussed how to use the technology and reach of the Internet to take business to new heights. EBay’s impassioned take on branding and overall business operations and growth strategies for retail business owners sparked much talk at the show.
The National Institute of Design won the Best Booth Award, while Amrapali, a designer jewelry house based in Jaipur, also won accolades for its creative and innovative displays. A special award was also given to Jain Center of New York for its exclusive display of huge statues carved from stones.
The 2006 event will be held Dec. 22–25 in Jaipur.