Jewels bring sparkle to Kobe

(courtesy of Reed Exhibitions Japan.)

All that glitters will be on display at the upcoming 14th International Jewellery Kobe event, the largest show of its kind in western Japan.

Scheduled to take place over three days from May 13 at the Kobe International Exhibition Hall, organizers are expecting more than 400 exhibitors from 20 countries to take part, attracting some 14,000 buyers from around the world.

Specialized areas within the exhibition hall will be given over to sectors of the industry, including the World Pearl Area, the Gemstones Zone and the Silver and Costume Jewellery Zone.

The domestic jewelry business has taken something of a battering in Japan over the last 18 months, but there are signs that the worst is over and organizers hope that will be reflected in business that is done over the duration of the event.

One way of achieving that is by repeating the Premium Buyers Hosting Programme, which has entailed Reed Exhibitions Japan extending invitations to selected buyers and some of the key jewelry associations from around the world, including China, India, Thailand and Hong Kong. A similar invitation has been sent out to Japan's top 500 retailers.

These dealers will be keeping a close eye on the latest trends that are emerging in the different markets, with a recent preference among older, female customers for mixing smaller diamonds with a single larger stone of a starkly contrasting colour, such as an opal or emerald.

Other dealers are reporting an interest in good quality items with unique designs, with consumers generally willing to pay around Y100,000 (€806) for good examples.

Bridal jewelry has always been a cornerstone of the industry - after all, dealers say, people are always going to be getting married and that is the one day of their lives when people refuse to economize - and there is firm interest in bridal jewelry which retails at between Y200,000 (€1,612) and Y1 million (€8,061).


Dates: May 13-15

Times: 10 am to 6 pm daily

Venue: Kobe International Exhibition Hall, 6-11-1 Minatojima-nakamichi. Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0046.

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

JR