Thomas Tan
Jewellery lovers had a great time peeking at great jewellery collections from 11 countries on exhibition at the Malaysia International Jewellery Fair (MIJF) Spring Edition 2012 held at the grand ballroom of Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) recently.
The wide selection and the variety of pieces mesmerized the visitors as they got to glaze over some of the posh, exquisite and spectacular jewellery pieces created.
“We have successfully gathered over 100 international exhibitors from 11 major jewellery exporting countries to provide our prestigious buyers with an extensive array of luxury jewellery collections and we are confident of meeting more than 15,000 buyers during the four days exhibition,” said Johnson Lim, CEO of Elite Expo Sdn Bhd, the event organiser, in his speech at the official launch
The show featured jewellery collections from Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Italy, Poland, Cambodia, Thailand, UAE and Malaysia.
“According to statistics of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) in their official website, the export jewellery in 2010 has increased by 12.8% to RM5.55 billion compared with RM4.92 billion in 2008.
“With such a vigorous market condition, the MIJF is organized with a definite vision to strengthen the country’s position as a global standard jewellery trading catalyst while helping out in promoting the country as the next best Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) hub in the eyes of the world,” he added.
The VIP guest of honour at the opening ceremony was deputy minister of Women, Family and Community Development senator Datuk Heng Seai Kei.
Also present were Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) CEO Zulkefli HJ Sharif, Uemura Pearl Culture creative director Eiji Uemura, and Mogok Jewels directors Maizura Tun Mahathir and Zin Oo Ko.
When the official speech ended, guests and visitors were enchanted by the glitter and luxury jewellery collections paraded by models during the two jewellery fashion shows, one each by Mogok Jewels from Myanmar and Uemura Pearl Culture from Japan.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, followed by the plaque signing ceremony by the deputy minister.
The VIPs and guests then toured the various booths and the Pearl Galleria which drew interest and attracted crowds to its unique pearl collections.
Johnson said that they had gone to Hong Kong and invited Eiji Uemura, creative director of Uemura Pearl Culture, all the way from Japan to showcase his jewellery at the MIJF.
He said: “From what I know his jewellery has never been showcased any where in the world except at the Hong Kong Jewellery Fair which is also the world’s largest jewellery fair and Malaysia is the second place to showcase his jewellery.”
The pearl galleria showcased pearl jewellery collections from different parts in the world. The Uemura Pearl Culture from Japan showcased their signature jewellery – Makie Pearl – which involved using a lacquering technique called Makie technique whereby glittery gold powders are sprinkled on the lacquered surface to create a gliterring effect.
For those who choose to design their own rings, the Manee Diam booth is the only booth that offered loose polished diamonds of different shapes, colour, clarity and size. Its sales manager Amrish said customers can be assured that they are buying high quality diamonds because all their diamonds are certified by three world renowned laboratories; namely the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), HRD Antwerp World Diamond Centre and International Gemological Institute (IGI).
There was also a booth which provided jewellery cleaning and polishing service at no charge.
At the Ekos Amber booth managed by a Polish couple displayed all amber jewellery in a variety of colours and designs. The amber displayed came from Poland where they were found along the coast of Baltic Sea.
At the Mogok Jewels booth, every jewellery pieces showcased were different and totally unique, one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces produced.
Besides the dazzling jewellery on display, there was a well-attended seminar on the topic “Pearl and the GIA classification system” hosted by Dr. Laurent Massi, the director of GIA Thailand campus.
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