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APRIL 2015
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APRIL 2015
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JEWELRY
SHOWCASE
MAGAZINE.COM
Rare 0.90-ct red diamond
by Antwerp Cut.
“their must-attend trade show.” The survey also
found that “80 percent of buyers expect steady or
increased overall sales this year,while over 60 per-
cent of buyers and exhibitors expect retail prices
to remain steady in order to be competitive.”
In terms of product materials, the majority of
buyers and exhibitors interviewed expect karat
gold to be the most popular material in 2015,
with white gold leading the trend at 48 percent,
followed by yellow (32 percent) and rose gold (33
percent).
They also predict that diamonds will be the
most popular gemstone, with one-carat stones
leading at 48 percent, followed by round-cut (45
percent) and colorless (41 percent) diamonds.
Diamonds, Gems and Pearls
Starting two days earlier than the jewelry event,
the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem &
Pearl Show featured a vast assortment of prod-
ucts. Diamonds occupied a large portion of the
show, with Antwerp and Israel hosting the larg-
est pavilions, followed by other national groups.
The busiest booths seemed to be those selling
natural colored diamonds. U.S.-based Scarselli
Diamonds offered a range of very large fancy
colors, including a 50-carat intense yellow round
and a 15-carat vivid yellow heart, as well as some
spectacular fancy diamond jewelry. “2014 was a
strong year for colored diamonds and we are see-
ing this demand spill over into 2015,” said Bruno
Scarselli. “We sell all sizes, but are seeing great
interest by retailers for the 2-5-carat range.”
Another very busy booth was that of Bel-
gium-basedAntwerpCut,which displayed a wide
variety of colors and sizes, including a spectacular
suite of 20 intense yellows and a 0.90-carat red.
“Potential buyers do not come here specifically to
replenish their stocks,” stated Mike Akiki, Man-
aging Director, “but to make the right contacts so
that they know who to contact when they need
a custom order. The Hong Kong March show
is therefore the ideal platform for maintaining
existing contacts and making new contacts.”
>>
Platinum ring set
with 1.28-ct pink
heart, 1.25-ct blue
heart, 6.29-cts pear
shape diamonds, and
0.29-ct brilliants by
Scarselli Diamonds.
Among the more unusual pieces
seen at the show was this “claw”
hand decoration in silver, gold,
and enamel by Sekikazu.
Pendants made of miniature
perfume bottles in carved quartz
embellished with diamonds and
rubies by May Jewelry.
White jade and gemstone
“Lotus” necklace by
TTF Haute Joaillerie.
Selling mostly colorless rounds from 30 points
to 3 carats, in various qualities, Hong Kong-
based Dharam Creations offered an innovative
way for buyers to examine prospective diamonds.
“We launched software that allows a video of the
stones to display all the inclusions in a clear man-
ner,” explained Manish Mangukia. “Retailers are
happy with the system as their customers can see
for themselves exactly what they are buying.” He
continued that sales at the show were about as
expected with most buyers coming from China
and the ASEAN nations.
In the colored gemstone areas could be found
every type, color and quality of stone imaginable,
ranging from inexpensive beads to rare untreated
gems. Dealers of higher end stones, such as Ger-
many-based Constantin Wild, said business was
good, with the “finest qualities selling the best.”
While there were buyers for all colors of tour-
maline, the neon shades of Paraiba seemed very
popular. Sebastian Ferreira, director of Brazil
Paraiba Mine (the only major continuing source
in Brazil for the popular gems, which are named
for the state in which they were originally found)
offered Paraibas, ranging from melee to 5 car-
ats as well as carved pieces. Other dealers also
offered some Brazilian stones, but most Paraibas
at the show originated in Mozambique.
Sapphires, in all colors—especially pink, yellow
and blue—attracted buyers’ attention. Among
the more interesting cuts were those seen at Sri
Lanka-based Sapphirus. “We have a variety of
cuts, including a new unique diamond cut for our
sapphires,” explained Andre Tissera.This impres-
sive branded and patented cut, known as the “As-
scher Cut Princess,” was invented by Israel “Izzy”
Itzkowitz of U.S.-based Quadamas.
In the Opal category, Australia-based Cody
Opals featured a variety of beautiful stones,
including a collection of “Koroit” opal. “This has
been a really hot product,” said Andrew Cody.
Carved Paraiba tourmaline in
matrix by Brazil Paraiba Mine.
Three Asscher Cut Princess
sapphires by Sapphirus.
Two Koroit opals
by Cody Opals.
Rare 20-ct bicolor
Imperial topaz by
Constantin Wild.
“Koroit is boulder opal in matrix and opalized
wood that provides a unique combination of pat-
terns and veins.”
In the warmer end of the spectrum, fire opal
has been rising in popularity and price. Clement
Sabbagh, of Brazil-based Ben Sabbagh Bros., said
that it was becoming more popular with Chinese
buyers as they learn about the orange gem.
>>
Gemstone and diamond
pendant by MVee.
Baroque pearl, gemstone,
and diamond brooch by
Mousson Atelier.
“Horse” ring in gemstones
and diamonds by Zorab.
Continued on page 55