Staged in the International Exhibitions hall near the maritime terminal in the scenic bay of the famous pearl city of Kobe, the 13th International Jewellery Exhibition was held on May 14 to 16 2009. On the opening day, which I attended, the crowds were minimal seemingly due to the economic downturn but even so more than 400 exhibitors turned out to show their merchandise. Some great bargains for heavily discounted goods was available for purchase and many of the exhibitors that I spoke with were offering to slash displayed prices by up to 50% on items I was looking, at just to get a sale.
Exhibitors ranged from jewellery manufactures of all descriptions to suppliers and wholesalers of loose diamonds, gems and pearls. Together with costume jewellery, jewellery manufacturing tools and displays by big brand name companies. There were rings, necklaces, earrings, fashion jewellery of all description and price ranges.Some great gems court my eye and the two stand outs were a 9.9 carat square cut Kashmir Sapphire at US$500,000 and a Fancy Natural Deep Bluish Grey pear cut diamond of 1.05 carat at US$300,000. In all the colour diamonds I have seen this must be one of the rarest colours!
With so much variety to look at and bargains everywhere by the end of the day my head was spinning. I really needed to go back for a second day to give me time to digest it all and then begin to get a feel for the best buys.
