Jewellery Arabia 2016, the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watch exhibition, opened today in Bahrain. The 25th edition of the event brings together over 600 exhibitors from 30 countries for a dazzling five-day gala of glitz and glamour.

Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the exhibition runs till November 26 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Spanning 21,000 sq m of exhibition space, a huge range of finished jewellery, luxury timepieces, precious stones, clocks, fine writing instruments, accessories and more from around the globe will go on sale.

World famous watch and jewellery houses are making a return appearance at Jewellery Arabia 2016, including major brand names. Many of these high profile international exhibitors will use the event as a platform to introduce exclusive collections and limited edition pieces to the Middle East collectors’ market.

Complementing these iconic brands are eight national groups from leading jewellery export countries. They include returning delegations of the finest retailers, designers and manufacturers from Hong Kong, India, Italy, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, UK and the US. Collectively, these groups reflect the very best manufacturing capabilities, design expertise and gemological resources that their respective countries have to offer.

Joining international brands and national groups are a host of designers, retailers and manufacturers from all over the world, including a selection of Bahrain’s leading jewellers.

Show Highlights
Island Wedding Fashion Show & Exhibition: The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) is taking part at Jewellery Arabia 2016 with a curated pavilion of wedding sector service providers and a high-end bridal fashion show.

BTEA’s participation is in line with its 2016-2018 strategy aimed at promoting Bahrain as a wedding destination, specifically targeting Saudi Arabia and India.

The Island Wedding Exhibition pavilion will feature 14 participants representing various five-star hotels and wedding planners.

The latest bridal trends and luxury accessory collections will come life on the catwalk from November 23 to 25, from 7 pm to 9 pm. The Island Wedding Fashion Show will showcase exclusive collections of the finest wedding dresses produced by some of the biggest names in the fashion industry at a local, regional and international level. Participants include Tagreed Al Arryed and Zahraa Al Mousawi from Bahrain, Amina Al Jassim and Sherwin Darrel from Saudi Arabia, Nashmia Al Shoryaan from Kuwait, Fashion Dalinda from France, Vyacheslav Zaitsev from Russia, Saiid Kobeisy and Naja Saade from Lebanon and Cristina Edu from Romania.

Jewellery Education Seminars: To assist visitors with making informed buying choices at Jewellery Arabia 2016, the world’s foremost authority on gemology, the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA), will be offering complimentary seminars daily from November 22 to 26.

Experienced GIA instructors will provide visitors with information on different facets of gems and jewellery. Topics include diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, how to read GIA grading reports and important tips when purchasing jewellery.

GIA are joined by one of the world’s most advanced laboratories accredited by The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT), who are participating for the first time at Jewellery Arabia. GIT experts will offer onsite laboratory services, jewellery and gemstone consultancy, and an academic seminar on two of the most important gemstones on the market – rubies and sapphires. Entitled “Ruby and Sapphire from Mine to the Market,” the seminar takes place on 24 November in collaboration with the GCC Gold & Jewellery Association and the Royal Thai Embassy in Manama.

Jewellery Arabia 2016 is open free of charge to the public. The exhibition will open from 4 pm to 10 pm  from November 22 to 25 and from 12 pm to 10 pm on November 26. - TradeArabia News Service