Calling it the Gulf War is undoubtedly an exaggeration. The fact is, however, that a trade dispute has just been fought in the Arabian peninsula. On the one hand Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai (JGTD), scheduled for February 12-14. And a few days later, from 20 to 25 February, the Doha Jewelery and Watches Exhibition. The United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and Qatar (Doha) are only 600 kilometers apart, but the two countries are not hiding differences of opinion, even if there is no real hostility. But these are geopolitical matters. The almost concomitance of two fairs dedicated to jewelery a few days and a few kilometers apart is, however, quite curious.
The organizers of both events underline the success of the respective fairs. The JGTDs, specifies a note from Italian Exhibition Group, co-organizer of the Dubai event together with Dubai Multi Commodities Center and Dubai Gold and Jewelery Group, saw a 20% growth in the number of buyers, with participants from 95 countries and regions. The fair hosted almost 350 suppliers in an expanded exhibition space, 46% larger than the inaugural edition, including companies of finished and semi-finished jewellery, loose precious stones, technologies related to jewellery.
Doha, for its part, responded with the presence of jewels and watches from over 500 brands (visitor numbers are not known at the moment). And he advertised the visit as ambassador of the Russian model Irina Shayk, with a couture dress by Alaïa, bracelet and a ring from the Bulgari Serpenti collection. Among the flagships of the event was also presented a special collection from the Hussein Alfardan Gallery, a personal collection of natural pearls belonging to Alfardan Jewellery. For Louis Vuitton, on the other hand, the Fantasy necklace made its debut, a 2.56-carat flower-cut monogram diamond. And Valentino has collaborated with the Qatari foundation Education Above All (EAA) to present a collection of limited edition accessories signed by the maison.
