The biggest jewellery expo in east China has opened for business with a raft of jewellers offering more and more high-end pieces in platinum, jade and incorporating precious stones.

The large numbers of high-end pieces at Jewellery Shanghai 2007 comes as industry figures recently noted increased demand for expensive, finely crafted items from wealthy clients.

Some of the large pieces attracting particular attention at the show include a necklace encrusted with 1,149 diamonds, and a set of jade jewellery estimated to be worth $2.3 million.

Commenting on the prevailing market trends, Wang Ensheng, Deputy General Manager of leading jewellers Shanghai Laofengxiang told Shanghai Daily: "We are targeting high-end clients besides maintaining our share in the mass market."

"We want to build up our brand as the Chinese version of Cartier - we have a 159-year history and we have designers and technicians to make high-end jewellery," he added.

This year, the event has a special section for male jewellery for the first time ever.

According to Yang Sisan, Secretary General of the Gems and Jewellery Trade Association of China, sales of platinum, gold and diamond are set to be close to $40 billion by 2011.

Source: Jewelry Shanghai 2007 opens

11/04/07

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/articles.asp?id=166&type=Business

Source: Sales of gems, precious stones set to rise

09/04/07

http://en.ce.cn/Industries/Energy&Mining/200704/09/t20070409_10978484.shtml



Ÿ Adfero Ltd