Arabic inspired photo frame set to capture limelight at Middle East’s most influential jewellery event
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Displaying cherished photo memories just became even more ‘precious’ as the Middle East’s most influential jewellery event prepares to unveil a one-of-a-kind, stone-encrusted photo frame in Dubai this week.
Crafted by Dhamani Jewels, the gold-plated, bejewelled photo frame retails for AED150,000 and features 149 carats of natural ruby and 37 carats of natural emerald. The one-off frame will be on display at the four-day show, which starts tomorrow at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
The UAE-based jeweller will be one of 380 local, regional and international jewellery retailers taking part in the 19th edition of Dubai International Jewellery Week, which runs until 6 December and stands to be 25 per cent larger than last year.
Rohit Dhamani, Director of Dhamani Jewels, said: “After participating in the event for 13 years, we wanted to design something that reflects the Arab legacy and the heritage surrounding the city of Dubai. This unique piece of art was handcrafted by one of the world’s most skilled artisans and celebrates the traditional culture of the UAE.
“Dubai International Jewellery Week is the perfect place for Dhamani to showcase our pieces because the event offers a platform to meet customers and wholesalers from around the world. With the phenomenal, year-on-year growth we have seen in visitor numbers, , we are confident that 2014 is going to be another extremely successful event for us.”
The jewellery extravaganza will welcome leading international brands, regional manufacturers and distributors, retailers, jewellery designers and buyers looking to sell and source the best quality jewellery – including hundreds of bespoke luxury pieces at the best prices.
Among the 800 brands represented at this year’s show, Allure will be presenting its new selection of diamonds created by Italian designer Fabio Angri. The award-winning collection includes Allure’s Madame Butterfly piece which is made of 18kt gold, white, black and brown diamonds and a selection of precious stones.
Carrying on with the diamond theme, the world’s foremost authority in gemology, GIA Middle East will have a special collection of rare diamond replicas on display, including a 128.51 carat Tiffany yellow diamond and a 127 Portuguese diamond.
With country representation at Dubai International Jewellery Week continuing to grow year-on-year, the 2014 show is 15 per cent larger in terms of participating countries than last year. Thailand alone has committed to a 42 per cent year-on-year increase in floor-space this year, while pavilions from Lebanon, Hong Kong and India are 28, 18 and 16 per cent up on 2013, respectively.
Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC, said: “Having so many local, regional and international jewellers participating at this year’s event highlights Dubai’s status as one of the world’s most important fashion and design centres.
“Dubai International Jewellery Week continues to be the leading regional platform for international exhibitors to enter the Middle East market and showcase their beautiful collections to quality national and international visitors.”
As part of its knowledge exchange programme, the 19th edition of the Dubai International Jewellery Week features various daily seminars designed to give consumers and trade visitors valuable opportunities to learn all there is to know about diamonds and jewellery.
In-line with the event’s standing as a platform for global jewellery trade players to source new products from an array of international brands, the popular Hosted Buyer Programme also returns. The programme allows more than 100 top-level buyers from Russia and CIS countries, Turkey, Macedonia, KSA, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar to link up with exhibitors of their choice for focused one-to-one appointments.
Elsewhere this year, Samsung is running an exclusive Dubai International Jewellery Week Photo Competition, encouraging visitors to find the Samsung promoters on the show floor and take a photo with them for a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Two devices will be given away daily during the four-day show.
Running alongside the event is the sixth Jewellery Design Awards which recognise amateur and professional designers from across the world for excellence in jewellery design, innovation and creativity. The awards will see 10 winners crowned in ‘Emerging Designers’ and ‘Professional Group’ categories, including two new accolades for ‘Best Festive-Inspired Jewellery Design’ and ‘Best Futuristic Jewellery Design’. Open to UAE nationals only, the awards for ‘Best Emirati Jewellery Design’ in both categories are expected to be drawn entries from established and emerging Emirati jewellery design artisans.
To register for Dubai International Jewellery Week or find out the latest show information, visit www.jewelleryshow.com.