The 17^th Edition of Jewellery Arabia 2008 will kick off at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre on 25 November 2008 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Kingdom is the gateway to a USD $ 30.0 billion & continually growing fine jewellery & luxury watch market in the Middle East.

Over 500 exhibitors from 28 countries including national pavilions from Brazil, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Turley and the Italian Trade Commission, a new entrant to Jewellery Arabia 2008, will showcase their latest collections and talent at the 16,000 sq. m. exhibition venue. Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chopard, De Beers, Audemars Piguet, Graff, Harry Winston, Hermes Watches, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Montblanc, Asprey & Dhamani are some of the brands participating in this highly-rated exhibition.

A highlight of the exhibition is the presentation of the 4^th edition of the Premier Middle East Watches, Jewellery & Pens Awards-2008, at a grand gala dinner at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in the Kingdom on the night of 25 November 2008 in the presence of a distinguished, invitation-only audience. The Premier Awards, to be presented to individual brand winners in each of the five pre-determined watches, jewellery and fine pens categories is initiated and sponsored by MPParabia, publishers of the Jewellery Arabia Official Show Guide 2008 & Arabian Watches && Jewellery (AWJ) Magazine and is held under the patronage of HE Dr. Hassan Abdullah Fakhro, Minister of Industry & Commerce, Kingdom of Bahrain.

Over 45,000 official visitors are expected to attend the exhibition from major jewellery consuming and re-exporting markets in the region including the biggest—Saudi Arabia.

Also to be announced will be the ‘Arab Cultural Personality for the Year 2009’ and ‘CEO of the Year 2009’, a first for the Premier awards.

Jewellery Arabia will be open from 4.00 to 10.00 PM each day of the five-day exhibition. An exclusive ladies morning will be held from 10.00 AM to 1.00 PM on Thursday, 27 November 2008.

Despite the international economic meltdown and the continuing political standoff in the Kingdom of Thailand, the forthcoming 43^rd Edition of the prestigious, long-running Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair (BGJF), is expected to open to a full house when it is officially inaugurated on 25 February 2009. According to the organizers, the Thai Gems & Jewellery Traders Association (TGJTA), more than 90 % of the current 1,300 exhibitors have already confirmed their occupation of the column-free 100,000 sq. m. exhibition space in the capital’s Challenger Exhibition Centre comprising pavilions / stands and eventually of an estimated 3,500 booths available at the event.

BGJF CEO Khun Somchai Phornchindarak said preparations for the 43^rd Edition are proceeding smoothly and efficiently and will eventually lead to the successful conduction of the landmark exhibition that will not only reinforce the Kingdom’s position as one of Asia’s most vibrant marketplaces and a gateway to the world’s gems & jewellery hub. “It will also offer a major stimulus to the industry at a time when it is most needed,” added Khun Somchai.

Meanwhile, more than 1,400 entries from across the globe including Thailand, the UK, Brazil, Japan, Hong Kong, India and Singapore have been received for the debut Thailand International Jewellery awards (TIJA) at the 43^rd Exhibition, expected to attract over 30,000 visitors. 60 carefully-selected sets of exceptional jewellery designs under the theme of ‘creative of the World’, hand picked by an expert panel, will be unveiled at the exhibition.

The 43^rd BGJF will conclude on 1 March 2009.

The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) continues to extend its activities for the promotion of technical and precious fine watches and has announced the induction of two key brands—Chopard and TAG Heuer to its growing list of prestigious brands.

The Foundation’s current partners are A. Lange & Sohne, Audemars Piguet, Baume & Mercier, Boucheron, Cartier, Chanel, Chopard, Corum, Daniel Roth, Gerald Genta, Girard-Perregaux, Greubel Forsey, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, JeanRichard, Montblanc, Panerai, Parmigiani, Piaget, Richard Mille, Roger Dubuis, TAG Heuer, Vacheron Constantin and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Antiquorum realized an amazing intake of USD $ 12.8 million for a recent auction held on 16 November 2008 in Geneva entitled “Important Collector’s Wrustwatches, Pocket watches, Clocks and Horological Tools”. The value of the wristwatches sold represented 136 % of the respective low estimates. The bidding was competitive and attracted 330 registered international internet bidders from Hong Kong, Switzerland, USA, the Netherlands, Germany and China.

The star of the sale was ‘The Royal Presentation Mirror Image Pair’ of gold and painted on enamel and pearl-set, a rare pocket watch made circa 1815, which reached a staggering amount of USD $ 2.20 million. Another Patek Philippe pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph reached an impressive result of USD $ 1.16 million.

Meanwhile, Antiquorum Auctioneers is preparing for its largest annual US auction that will be held on 10 and 11 December 2008 at its offices on Madison Avenue in New York, USA.

An elegant gold watch model dating from 1929 and once belonged to Albert Einstein was sold at an auction held in mid-October 2008 in New York for a record price of USD $ 596,000, entering the history books as the Longines watch that fetched the highest price at an auction. The watch was bought by an anonymous buyer.

Five women entrepreneurs received the 2^nd Annual Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards during a recent ceremony held in Deauville, France. From an applicant pool of 400 nominees, one winner from each of the five continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America) received a Cartier trophy, a USD $ 20,000 cash award and will benefit from a full year of coaching from Cartier, McKinsey & Co. and INSEAD Business School.

“Small businesses play a key role in building the global economy. We believe that these brave and spirited laureates will be drivers of change for their communities and the future of their countries,” noted Bernard Fornas, President & CEO, Cartier International. HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade was also present at the ceremonies in her capacity as Jury President.

The winners of the awards were Mame Khary Diene (Senegal, Africa); Renee King & Caroline Cua (Philippines, Asia); Laura Chicurel (UK, Europe); Dr. Cynthia Guy, (Panama, Central-Latin America) and Mona Jhaveri (USA, North America).

Contributing to the sparkle on the runway at this year’s annual Victoria’s secret Fashion Show held recently in Miami, Florida, USA, were the exquisite jewellery designs by renowned international jeweller Sheikh Robert Mouawad.

Over USD $ 20.0 million worth of Mouawad jewellery were used to adorn the models on the runway. Models wearing Mouawad designs on the runway included Paris Hilton wearing a diamond masterpiece featuring over 125 carats of diamonds valued over USD $ 3.0 million. Karolina Kurkova, wearing a superb diamond and sapphire necklace and Alessandra Ambrosio modeling a gorgeous white and cognac diamond suite featuring over 100-carat diamonds and pearl necklace. Heidi Klum wore a stunning 260-carat diamond and pearl necklace.

French company Waskoll Jewellers will be presenting their collections for the first time at Jewellery Arabia. Founded a century ago, and working until 1995 as a supplier for the ‘grandes maisons’ of the Place Vendôme in Paris, this still family-owned company launched its own first collection of pieces in multicoloured sapphires in 1995. Joyful and feminine, this marriage of different hues has become one of Waskoll’s characteristics.

Inheritors of a long tradition of savoir-faire, third generation brothers Cyril and Kirk have breathed new creativity into Waskoll, placing them securely on the road to success. “We have the skills, why not develop them in our own name?’’ Cyril Waskoll thought at the time. “Jewelry is a profession of traditions, where each family has its assets and its secrets. We decided to play ours up through our jewelry,’’ he explains.

Waskoll’s creations display a very recognizable, sensual and appealing style, with the mixing of big gems and smaller sparkling stones.

Bursts of colour, sparkling diamond flames, or arabesques that put their seal in precious stones upon the meeting of East and West: It is an identity unique among all others, which seduces the assured tastes of its clients, chic trailblazers. “Our clientele,’’ Cyril explains, “is made up of the ten percent of women who set fashionable trend in society, whether it be in a small town or a world capital.’’

The House relies upon a widespread retail network rather than standalone boutiques, in order to distribute the over 700 pieces available in a price range from €5,000 to €50,000. Waskoll enjoys high visibility in the windows and corners of over 400 stores in France and abroad (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, the Caribbean…). Experiencing double-digit annual growth, the House plans to expand its presence in the United States, but also to establish itself in Russia, China and the Middle East.

At a recent exclusive event held at the Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai, UAE, Vertu has presented new collections as a tribute to commemorate its 10^th anniversary celebrations. These include the Constellation, the stylish Constellation Rococo & Ascent Ti Knurled collections and the new Signature collection, which is inspired by grand complication timepieces and the finest jewellery, this masterpiece of artisanship is hallmarked in white gold and yellow gold together with stainless steel in a testimony to the brand’s knowledge, passion and experience.

The Constellation collection is inspired by the high style of luxury travel and equipped to assist the most demanding traveler. Its software suite delivers global flight information, currency values and weather reports anywhere in the world. The stylish Constellation Rococo collection is inspired by the intricate design and handcrafted techniques of the Rococo period. Guests were regaled with musical entertainment from professional opera singer Maria Gluck, accompanied on the piano by Maestro Philippe Maier, conductor of the UAE Philharmonic Orchestra.

IWC has issued the latest in its series of grande complications timepieces with the Portuguese Tourbillon Mystere with a black dial and a case made from warmly shimmering rose gold 5N. The watch is driven by the drive mechanism of the 50900 calibre still one of the world’s largest automatic wristwatch movements, a Pellaton automatic winding system and a seven-day power reserve, which is indicated on the dial.

Only 250 units of this model are produced which is not subject to temporal and meteorological limitations and water resistant to 3 bar.

At 6 carats, the unique ‘Montblanc Diamonds’ cut artistically in the shape on the company’s trademark star and form the centerpiece of one of the most refined jewellery editions of the brand. A high degree of clarity and colourful splendour make the light inside the diamond dance and generate maximum brilliance.

Three other necklace collections also dazzle in the Montblanc repertoire. In the flat, baguette-shaped ‘Etoile’ necklace, cut diamonds totaling 24.51 carats underline the radiance of the ‘Montblanc Diamond’. In the ‘Passion’ necklace, round and heart-shaped diamonds of 19.38 carats dominate whilst in the ‘Dentelle’ collection diamonds of 6.15 carats show the magic of exceptional beauty.

Following the successful opening of its first concept boutique in the Middle East, acclaimed jewellery house Pasquale Bruni has introduced its latest collection-C’est Moi. Accompanying the launch at a leading Dubai hotel was an elegant fashion show featuring the master jeweller’s new offerings—sumptuous jewels featuring smoky and rock crystal quartz, amethyst and diamonds set in pink 18-carat gold. “It is with pride that we offer C’est Moi, a special collection inspired by grace and elegance of women,” said Eugenia Bruni, the Creative Director of Pasquale Bruni and designer of the special collection who was in Dubai to grace the occasion.

Stefan Hafner, the internationally acclaimed jewellery house has presented, for the festive season, its new collection of ravishing finger rings combining white gold settings and a rich combination of white, black and brown diamonds, rubies, sapphires, amethysts and topaz. The most striking of the selection are ‘cuff’ rings, featuring cylindrical forms with frayed edges, richly paved with diamonds and sprinkled with golden yellow topaz.

Stefan Hafner also offers rings inspired by the mystique of marine life. The jewels feature large, mysterious swirls resembling swirls resembling those found on ammonite fossils, rich white pave with the swirl pattern in black diamond and just a ‘peppering’ of golden yellow topaz.

The two-day World Pearl Forum, hosted by the Dubai Pearl Exchange, a subsidiary of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), will be held at the Atlantis Hotel on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai on 17 and 18 February 2009.

Among the over 200 regional and international delegates expected to attend are Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World; Nicholas Paspaley, Executive Chairman, Paspaley, Australia; Robert Wan, Chairman, Robert Wan Tahiti; Justin Hunter, Founder, J. Hunter Pearls, Fiji; Dr. Jack Ogden, CEO, Gemmological Association of Great Britain and Kenneth Scarratt, Director of Research, GIA, Thailand.

Philippe Leopold-Metzger, CEO, Piaget has announced the appointment of Edouard Cottin as International Director for the brand, effective 1 January 2009. Currently the Middle East Director for Piaget based in Dubai, UAE, Cottin has worked for the company for the past 10 years, first as Product Manager for 3 years and then Area director for the Iberian region—Spain & Portugal.

Under Cottin’s stewardship, Piaget opened 7 new boutiques in the Middle East.