JEWELS 2001

Do you know why cultured saltwaterpearls demand such a great value over the traditional cultured freshwater pearls? There are two primary reasons for the price difference.  The first is that freshwater pearls are more plentiful, since they are cultured in mussels, which can produce between 10 to 30 pearls per mussel.  But the saltwater oyster can produce only one pearl per oyster. This is why saltwater pearls demand a higher price over their fresh water cousins.  Or have you heard in detail the different stages of a pearl from its curing stage to its finishing stage.  The storyteller – a pearl jeweller from Hyderabad, and the audience a motley crowd of visitors, buyers and media persons who had come to Jewels 2001 – a jewellery exhibition show, organised by ZAK – ANZ International Trade and Marketing Associates.  It is a premier event attracting over 30 jewellers from across the length and breadth of the country including Raj Mandhir, Neelkanth and the famous Jaipur Gems from Chennai. 

Titled the 'Great Indian Jewellery Show', the exhibition had on display jewellery from various categories including, bridal collection, traditional or antique jewellery, all occasion collection, gift collection, casual collection, men’s collection, modern jewellery collection and even children's collection. 

Jewels 2001 was an opportunity to view the kaleidoscopic designs in 'ethnic Indian jewellery' and the latest trends in fashion from rings to diamond necklaces, fit for queens.  The price range of jewellery exhibited was from Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 5 lakh for gold sets; Rs.2000/- to Rs. 50,000/- for gemstones; Rs.2000/- to Rs.20000/- for pearls and Rs. 25000/- to Rs. 25 lakh for diamonds.  The total value of the jewels exhibited at the exhibition on a conservative estimate was around Rs.25 crore.  The exhibition was a platform to showcase the latest fashion jewellery available in the international market.

Syed Zakir Ahmed, President, ZAK said that, the value of Indian exports had grown to US$ 3944.88 million in the first half of the year 2000-2001 as against US$ 3529.82 million during the corresponding year 1999 – 2000, an increase of almost 12%.  He stressed, that the marketing potential of various industries in India could be increased by organising professional shows on an international level.

Jewels 2001 happened to be the 61^st exhibition organised by ZAK – ANZ International Trade and Marketing Associates who had also organized the exhibition “The Woman” recently in Chennai.  They have so far organised 14 jewellery exhibitions.  And they have scheduled a series of five exhibitions at San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago.  This is not surprising, as 37% of gem and jewellery exports from India are to the United States.