Pearls and pendants headline Japan jewelry show

(courtesy of Reed Exhibitions Japan.)

Pearls, pendants and one-of-a-kind items of jewelry are set to dazzle visitors at the upcoming International Jewellery Kobe show, which will go ahead in May as scheduled in spite of the repercussions of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The 15th annual event is to take place over three days from May 11 at the Kobe International Exhibition Hall, with 460 exhibitors from 20 countries confirmed to be taking part. The number of exhibitors is up significantly from the 381 who took part last year, the organizers pointed out.

Organizers say they anticipate the recent demand for pearls and pearl jewelry to continue, as well as the popularity of unique items. There has been a shift away from reasonably priced but rather generic jewelry to more bespoke pieces.

Pendants seem to be back in vogue, according to exhibitors who were at the IJK's sister event in Tokyo in January, while the simple diamond has never gone out of fashion, the organizers said.

"We thank members of the jewelry industry from around the world who have sent us kind messages and condolences regarding the devastating earthquake that hit Japan on March 11th," Tad Ishimizu, president of organizers Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd. said in a statement.

"We, as the management of the show, would like to announce that the next International Jewellery Show Kobe will be held safely and as originally planned," he added. "We humbly ask everyone around the world to extend us their kind support."

The organizers have been quick to point out that Kobe is more than 800 km from parts of Japan worst affected by the earthquake and more than 600 km from the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.

There has been no increase in radiation levels, while no damage has been reported to transportation or accommodation facilities in and around Kobe.

More than 14,000 buyers from around the world are expected to attend Western Japan's largest jewelry trade show, which will have dedicated sections for pearls, gemstones and costume jewelry.

The Premium Buyers Hosting Programme is being continued this year, with selected buyers and some of the most influential jewelry associations from around the world - including China, Hong Kong, Thailand and India - receiving invitations to attend. The invitation has also been extended to Japan's top 500 retailers.

The Kobe event is again expected to act as a yardstick for trends in the jewelry industry, particularly at the higher end of the market.

Bridal jewelry will also be in the spotlight, one of the few sectors that remains relatively immune to large fluctuations in demand.

15th International Jewellery Kobe
May 11-13
10 AM to 6 PM daily
Kobe International Exhibition Hall, 6-11-1 Minatojima-nakamichi. Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0046. http://www.ijk-fair.jp/ijk/english/travel/access.phtml

For further information: http://www.ijk-fair.jp/english/ or Tel. +81 3 3349 8503.

JR