Spending the last week of November in Bahrain, I attended the Jewellery Arabia Show, the most luxurious jewellery and watches trade fair in The Middle East at Exhibition World Bahrain from November 26 to 30, 2024.
The show took place over 5 days and was inaugurated by HRH Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other dignitaries. There were 650+ exhibitors from around the world in the 33rd edition organized by Informa Markets. Featuring some of the most premium brands of watches and jewellery, the show was a display of art, craft, passion and skill.
The Bahrain Jewellery Centre is a one-stop destination for all things luxury, be it watches or jewellery. The pavilion curated by them at the show featured the top brands in couture and high jewellery from Bahrain. It was a delight to discover some unique and rare pieces here made by renowned designers.
The Asia Jewellers Pavilion highlighted the best of the best in Asian jewellery and watch brands. The many pieces on display here were a testament to the talent and precision that Asia is famous for.
Elie Top, a French designer brand, showcased some of its most amazing pieces that were traditional in design and modern in flair. My favourite was a spherical emerald bracelet that could be turned into a funky gold one with a small twist.
Known for their playful and funky designs, Akillis from Paris, proudly makes jewels that are intricate, classy and unique. Their Puzzle High Jewelry collection featuring cute jigsaw pieces truly wowed and puzzled me, in a good way.
With more than 78 years of legacy behind them, Punjabi Saraf displayed jewels that were specially designed for The Middle East. Their creations featured precious gemstones in rings, bracelets, bangles and more; with each piece fulfilling their promise of fair pricing and excellent quality.
Stellar pieces. Fancy shapes. 18K Gold. The bridal jewellery collection of Raj Jewellerz by Narang Group had some amazing emeralds, rubies and diamonds made by their expert craftsmen. With a 50-year-old heritage, they create jewels that shine with opulence and grace.
Badalia Diamond Jewellers has been an industry leader in solitaire jewellery for 3 generations. Their bridal and high jewellery pieces were admirably beautiful. I especially liked the multi-layered necklace made with diamonds of various shapes and sizes.
Capturing memories of the past and future, Ritaj Fine Jewelry is known for creating couture pieces and turning them into showstoppers. What caught my eye was a pair of floral earrings with a grey pearl centrepiece that was a perfect combination of class and minimalism.
Al Mahmood Pearls are stalwarts in natural Bahraini pearls and have been so for almost a century. Their jewels featured beautiful natural pearls from the seas of Bahrain meticulously crafted into classy pieces that are brilliant and beautiful.
The featured necklace from Al Mahmood Pearls caught my eye as it is made from a beautiful single pearl which is a one-of-one piece and the necklace is 1 of 1
One of the leading manufacturers of pearl jewellery, Al Hashimi Pearls has been crafting beauties since 1997. They make timeless pieces from natural Bahraini pearls and I was honoured to wear one of their magnificent necklaces for my presentation in the Diamond Dialogues.
Bejewelling the modern woman and making her empowered and elegant, is the USP of HRH Joaillerie, a brand for women and by women. Their necklace from the ‘So One’ collection which is based on the open wings of a swan had to be my favourite.
‘If it can’t be made anywhere, it can be made in India’ This was the tagline of the Indian Pavilion powered by GJEPC at the show. And it is true. Many Indian techniques and designs are loved worldwide and this pavilion was a testimony to it featuring the best brands from India for the world to see and admire.
I was privileged to give a presentation on jewellery trends and styling at the show on Day 1 as part of the ‘Diamond Dialogues’ series and it was an overwhelming experience to be such an important part of this prestigious event. This is a memory I will treasure forever.
Schreiner Fine Jewellery makes exquisite, extraordinary and elegant pieces that are fit to be called treasures. Their ‘5-million-dollar’ earrings and ring set made from fancy coloured diamonds and a decorative brooch with diamonds and a pearl featuring the ‘Ship of the Desert’ were the most stunning pieces among many others.
A house of extraordinary and luxury jewels, Mouawad has been making sparkling waves since 1890. Every piece they had on display was remarkable in artistry and craftsmanship, especially the floral heavy necklace featuring stunning rubies and brilliant diamonds.
It is always a pleasure to visit DANAT and try LIVE Oyster Shucking, and this time I got not just one Natural but Two Natural Pearls!!
The Jewellery Arabia show in Bahrain has been an incredible journey for the jewellery lover in me. The designers, the brands, the skill, the opulence are all still fresh in my mind and I hope to see more of everything in the next edition.