Jewellery, Gem & Technology Dubai (JGT Dubai) is bringing together professional trade buyers and leading suppliers from around the world for a dynamic international B2B trade fair, aimed at bolstering business following months of pandemic-related downturns. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from February 22 to 24, 2022, JGT Dubai is organised by two of the world’s leading events companies – Informa Markets Jewellery and the Italian Exhibition Group. It is supported by Official Partner, DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre), and industry partner, the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group.

The show enables international gem and jewellery companies to potentially access a market of 4 billion consumers, within seven hours’ flying time from Dubai.

Professional trade buyers who will be attending JGT Dubai include stakeholders and decision-makers of jewellery retailers, chain stores, distributors, wholesalers and brands from the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries; the Middle East; North, Central and Southern Africa; Central and Southern Europe; Russia and even Brazil.

Lebanese perspective

Arveen Iskandarian, chief financial and operational officer of Lebanon-based Edward Iskandarian Jewellery, is making her way to the trade fair to find coloured gemstones, mountings, new technological solutions and machines to better detect lab-grown diamonds, among others. The retail and wholesale enterprise specialises in the design and production of exclusive jewellery pieces and the wholesale of diamonds, pearls and precious stones. It produces bespoke jewellery for the local Lebanese market and also exports mainly to the Gulf region and the US.

“When we go to exhibitions, we seek novelty and the latest trends to keep ourselves updated on where the market is heading. Due to Covid lockdowns, sourcing opportunities have not been prevalent these last couple of years. We are eager to explore what is available in the market,” the jeweller shared in a JNA-moderated webinar, Exploring New Frontiers at JGT Dubai, in early December 2021.

Rubies, sapphires, emeralds and small diamonds top Iskandarian’s shopping list. She noted there was a shortage of coloured gemstones in the market hence the trade show would enable her to stock up on her workshop’s requirements. Good-quality mountings and components such as tennis bracelets and rivet necklaces are likewise on her radar, she added.

According to Iskandarian, the Lebanese market is currently partial to modern designs and daily-wear jewellery as big events and weddings, which traditionally yield orders for statement jewellery, elaborate necklaces and tiaras, have yet to resume in the country due to pandemic-related precautions.

“Prior to Covid, people were investing in coloured gemstone jewellery. Nowadays, the trend is moving towards diamonds in sizes varying from 0.5 to 2 carats. Simpler pieces – for instance, a pendant with a single stone – do well,” she said.

Iskandarian is bullish about business prospects in 2022, pointing to a sharp spike in jewellery sales in Lebanon when Covid restrictions were eased. “After the lockdowns, people splurged on luxury goods, especially jewellery. They had been confined in their homes and were thus eager to spend. The outlook for 2022 seems positive. Hopefully people can have their big weddings and parties so we can manufacture grand necklaces and tiaras for our clients once again,” she explained.

Saudi preferences

Jewellers in Saudi Arabia also welcome the physical sourcing experience provided by JGT Dubai.

While digital platforms helped keep communication lines open at the height of the pandemic, jewellery is still a product best appreciated and assessed in person, said Mohamed Almuhaisen, chairman of jewellery manufacturer and retail brand Al Muhaisen Jewellery.

“For the last two years, business has been conducted on Zoom and other online channels. These could not properly convey the beauty of the jewellery piece, the quality of the craftsmanship or the efforts and skills of the manufacturers,” Almuhaisen remarked. “We are looking forward to seeing jewellery in the physical space again at JGT Dubai and hope to find some remarkable designs that we can bring to our customers in Saudi Arabia.”

Eng. Abdulghani Alsayegh, vice president of Abdul Ghani Heritage Jewelry, will likewise be seeking creative designs and jewellery concepts at the show as consumers nowadays expect jewellers to launch fresh collections regularly.

Alsayegh, who is also the vice president of the Saudi National Committee for Precious Metals and Gemstones, said the country’s jewellery industry suffered a 40 per cent drop in business in 2020 due to Covid-19. The market is gradually recovering, with green shoots emerging in the gifting and smaller wedding segments.

“The Saudi jewellery market will hopefully grow by 5 to 10 per cent in 2022. It should take some four to five years for the industry to return to pre-Covid levels,” he said.

Saudi consumers however now prefer smaller and lighter jewellery pieces, in sharp contrast to the bigger, more opulent creations that once dominated the market. Jewellery of 18-karat gold also move faster than previously favoured 22-karat gold items. Coloured gemstone jewellery pieces have grown in popularity too due to their bigger, stylish and colourful looks at reasonable prices, Alsayegh maintained.

Simpler, classic jewellery styles suit the post-lockdown needs of Saudi ladies, Almuhaisen added. While social gatherings and parties are currently permitted, these are often smaller in size and stature. “Parties nowadays constitute around 20 or so women, unlike before when 60 women would come together and wear their finest clothes and jewellery. The gatherings are more casual; they do not require statement jewellery, just everyday classics,” he said.

Gems and jewellery

To help buyers fulfill their sourcing requirements, JGT Dubai is assembling a stellar mix of world-class gem and jewellery suppliers from Belgium, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Israel, Singapore, Turkey and the UAE, among others.

Belgian diamantaire Taché will showcase its diamonds and related services at the show. One of De Beers’ oldest Sightholders and one of Alrosa’s first long-term contract holders, the company deals with diamonds from rough sourcing all the way through to polished stones.

Yondor Diamonds Ltd from Israel is presenting its diamonds of 2 carats to 60 carats in a variety of shapes, colours and clarities, certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The company prides itself on its expansive array of large diamonds, including its selection of round and fancy-shaped diamonds of 10 carats and up, and its collection of fancy colour diamonds.

Finestar Diamonds is set to regale the crowds with its GIA-certified round and fancy-shaped diamonds from 1 carat to 15.99 carats in FL to VS2 clarities. West Africa Diamonds Ltd meanwhile will highlight its fancy colour diamonds in all shades and qualities. It specialises in yellow diamonds and imports stones from the mines in West Africa.

Other diamond specialists exhibiting at the show include KGK Jewellery (HK) Ltd, Sheetal Middle East DMCC and KP Sanghvi Middle East DMCC.

Hong Kong’s Perfect Group International Holdings (HK) Ltd is bringing its popular collections of diamond jewellery with invisible and micropavé settings to the show. The vertically integrated manufacturer produces high-quality products at competitive prices to satisfy every customer.

Emerald 18 Ltd is putting its wide selection of African-sourced emeralds in the limelight at JGT Dubai. The company supplies emeralds in all shapes, sizes, weights and prices.

Italian companies are showing up in full force too in Dubai. Alunno & Marcantoni is presenting its fashionable jewellery collections with geometric, voluminous yet light pieces. Over at Ronco, the focus is on gold and silver jewellery with gemstones, diamonds and enamel.

Silver chains will adorn the display windows of Croma Catene, whose product portfolio includes chains by the metre, finished chains and fancy styles. For its part, Alessi Domenico will promote its extensive range of jewellery pieces along with its core production of semi-finished and finished chains in silver or gold. Its Dinasty Collection features high-quality chains studded with exquisite diamonds set by hand.