Freiburg Transforms into a Bustling Jewellery Hub

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Feb 17, 2014, 06:13 ET

FREIBURG, Germany, February 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Diamonds: A major theme of Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe

UBM Live Logo (PRNewsFoto/)

No other gemstone has captivated mankind quite like the diamond. Consequently, the demand for diamonds is expected to double by 2020, and prices are expected to increase significantly due to tight supply, according to a 2012 Bain & Company report commissioned by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). This trend is clearly evident at the Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe, which will feature an outstanding number of diamond specialists. Israel, India and Antwerp, which represent the three largest diamond trading centres, will be present on the show floor, of this B2B jewellery sourcing event. Over 80 diamond vendors, from seven countries and regions, will present their collections at the fair.

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Fancy coloured diamonds

A majority of diamonds mined are colourless. The trend is for rarer, natural coloured diamonds, and this is especially prevalent around Asia. While the market in the United States has decreased by four percent from 2006-2012, in this same period, the Chinese and Indian diamond markets have grown by 27 percent. The trending colours throughout Asia are green, purple and pink, however, only one in 100,000 of diamonds discovered are coloured. These rare stones are consistently achieving record sums at major auction houses, around the world.

Supply and demand

The gap between supply and demand for diamonds is getting bigger each year. Diamond supply is increasing only slightly, at a rate of 2.8 percent, per year. According to the AWDC, this gap will be further exacerbated by the growing demand from the emerging economies. By 2020, diamond demand from these markets will be comparable to that of the US and will account for about 45 percent of the global trade. Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia, states, "The Antwerp World Diamond Centre and the Israel Diamond Institute are the world's two largest organisations in the diamond industry. Their official participation at JGF Europe is of significant size to demonstrate both UBM's strong and friendly relationship with the industry, as well as our fair's attractiveness to trade buyers."

All under one roof

From 1-4 April 2014, some of the leading suppliers of diamonds, coloured gemstones, finished jewellery, and processing, technologies and tools will gather at the inaugural JGF Europe, in Freiburg, Germany. Onsite trading at the fair is allowed and JGF Europe is collaborating with the main customs office in Lörrach, which will have an office at the fair. The customs office will facilitate customs clearance directly onsite. In addition, Brink's Global Service will offer import and export assistance onsite, for valuable cargo.

About the organiser

UBM Asia, organiser of highly professional, international, global jewellery trade fairs creates possibilities for business in the jewellery industry throughout the world. More than 100,000 commercial agents visit the UBM Asia jewellery trade fairs, where more than 9,500 exhibitors from around the globe are registered. The Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, which took place in September 2013, is the world's leading trade fair with over 3,500 exhibitors and around 5,2000 visitors. The regular trade fair taking place in June is Asia's biggest international mid-year trade fair in the jewellery industry. Furthermore, UBM Asia organises jewellery trade fairs in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanghai in China; Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata und Mumbai in India; Japan; Istanbul in Turkey; Singapore; Taiwan; Freiburg in Germany and Moscow as well as St Petersburg in Russia.