Hong Kong Part 1
Today was our first day at the Asia World Expo. Backing up just a bit, I left Winnipeg on Sunday the 17th and arrived here late last night (the 19th) after a slightly delayed flight and overheated cab ride that got stuck in some nasty traffic. For the past six years, my dad Ernie has been coming to this show and last year I came here for the first time.
A bit about the show. It is easily the largest jewellery and loose gemstone show in the world. About five years ago they split the show up into finished goods and loose gems. It seems to have taken a couple years to have caught on, but today you would be hard pressed to see an empty space in either venue. The show is in two separate venues: the “smaller” loose gemstones exhibit is by the airport and the other, the finished jewellery exhibit, is at the convention centre on the harbour.
Today and tomorrow will be spent at the loose gemstone show. Having been here last year, I was familiar with the layout, but was stunned once again buy the astonishing collection of unique diamonds and coloured gems. I am going to try to get some pictures up tomorrow (the pics are on my iPhone), but let me share a couple of highlights.
There is a section of the show that is devoted to the finest cutters of diamonds and coloured gems. Last year I stumbled upon a booth that had a 75ct yellow briolette diamond (think egg shape). As we were walking, we came upon this same diamond, but now it was set into an absolutely stunning pendant. It is truly a one of a kind, something I doubt I will ever see again (picture to follow).
One last note before I head to bed: I was amazed at the number of high quality coloured diamonds here. This has not caught on in North America yet, but I think it will. Rare colours like pink, orange, and blue remain quite expensive (12ct Internally Flawless/Fancy Pink going for $625,000 per carat!), but there certainly are a lot more than before. Personally I kind of hope this trend hits North America as I think colour in bridal is long overdue.
Jewellery, Trade Shows | Jeremy September 20, 2011
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By Vicente Wascom, January 4, 2012 @ 2:22 PM
Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a speculative decision great post!