A dazzling display of precious gems, finished jewellery and luxury watches is on show at the 20th Jewellery Arabia 2011, which opened at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) today (November 22).

The five-day event will be officially opened under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa at a private ceremony this morning.

More than 550 companies from 27 countries will take part in the exhibition, which covers a total floor area of 16,500 sq m. It is one of the largest displays of precious gems, finished jewellery and luxury watches in the Middle East, a statement from the event organisers said.

'Over the last 20 years, Jewellery Arabia has steadily evolved into the single most important jewellery and watch exhibition in the Middle East,' said Arabian Exhibition Management sales and marketing director Fawzi Al Shehabi.

'Its reputation, size, quality of exhibits and sheer variety is unique in the region,” he said.

Eminent jewellery houses and watch manufacturers making a return appearance at Jewellery Arabia 2011 include Breguet, De Beers, Chanel, Chopard, Corum, Harry Winston, Hublot, Omega, Panerai, Patek Phillipe, Piaget, Van Cleef and Arpels and Vacheron Constantin.

Many of these high-profile international brands will use the exhibition as a platform to introduce their latest jewellery and watch collections to the Middle East market, the statement said.

Country pavilions from Brazil, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia complement the line-up. Designs by local jewellers will also be spotlighted at a dedicated pavilion of Bahrain jewellers, co-ordinated by Tamkeen.

Joining these high-profile brands and national groups are some of the Middle East's finest retailers and manufacturers, led by a selection of some of Bahrain's leading jewelers including Bahrain Jewellery Centre, Asia Jewellers, Al Mahmood Pearls, Al Zain, Devji and AJM Kooheji, it said.

Many of these exhibiting companies will have an exclusive presence in the Middle East at the show, affording upwards of 45,000 visitors a unique preview of the global jewellery and watch market.

The exhibition's high-quality profile and enthusiastic consumer following continues to reflect the region's passion for fine jewellery, which has succeeded in creating one of the world's largest and most dynamic markets, the statement said.

Jewellery Arabia will open at the BIECC from 4pm to 10pm from today until November 25. On Saturday, it will open from 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm. Admission is by invitation only. – TradeArabia News Service