The dark economic clouds on the horizon will not diffuse the sparkle at Singapore's biggest jewellery event, coming up next Thursday.
But neither will the fourth Singapore International Jewellery Show (SIJS) be so upper crust that it leaves the working person in the dust.
The $100 million flash fest, though being staged on a "grander scale" than previous years, will have jewellery starting from $100 apiece, says director Judy Lee of Conference & Exhibition Management Services (CEMS).
CEMS is co-organising the annual event with local jewellers organisation Singapore International Jewellers.
Lee says: "We foresaw that the economy would be more challenging. So we will have many highlights that will make it worthwhile for every visitor to the show."
Reasonably priced pieces can be found in the set of home-grown jewellers like Goldheart - its prices start from $198 for a gold chain.
For the well-heeled, browsing among the 148 exhibitors - 111 of whom are overseas names from 30 countries - spread over 6,000 sq m of the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre's halls 403 and 404 may send them to Shine Heaven.
Malaysian jeweller DeGem, known for its use of rare gems in its jewellery pieces, will boast a nine-carat pink diamond ring for US$1.5 million (S$2.1 million) at the show.
And for the first time in Asia, Italian artist Thomas Diego Armonia - known for his black and white oil paintings that are embellished with pure gold - will display 15 pieces of his artwork.
Priced from $20,000 to $30,000, they include two pieces designed for SIJS partners Goldheart Jewelry and On Cheong Jewellery.
What Lee calls "businesses, professional and social women's groups in Singapore" can view Armonia's works in a VIP area set up just for them.
SELLING THE GLITTER
Exhibitors interviewed seem upbeat.
The show's theme, Wheels Of Fortune, is based on Singapore's newest attractions: the Singapore Flyer, the Singapore Grand Prix and the "roulette", in the form of the upcoming integrated resorts.
This, says Kean Ng, assistant business director of home-grown chain Lee Hwa Jewellery, "brings to mind wealth and luck". (And, by extension, one might surmise, ringing tills.)
Goldheart aims to sell about 800 pieces of jewellery worth about $6 million.
With so much glitter around, security will be tight.
Though entry is free - 15,000 consumers and trade visitors are expected - every visitor will be required to bring a photo identification card. They must also register before entry.
Those who want to bone up on the latest in the mother of all rocks can sign up for a seminar by American diamond guru Martin Rapaport. The sessions will be on next Thursday and Friday.
Single-session and double-session fees are $130 and $215, respectively.
Meanwhile, Urban highlights five must-see pieces created for the Wheels Of Fortune theme.
CHECK THESE OUT
This Fortunia medallion necklace is inspired by an 1820s artwork by Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai called The Great Wave Of Kanagawa. And it is certainly awash in diamonds - 2,191 of them, in fact, weighing a total of 15.93 carats, in a white gold setting.
$116,838, from Goldheart Jewelry
This statement-making necklace, called the Riqueza, is made of interlocking diamonds and pearls to create circular details that fit the Wheels Of Fortune theme. It just calls for a round of applause.
$45,848, from Lee Hwa Jewellery
Made of 27 diamonds surrounded by a circle of even more rocks, this star-studded Pendulum pendant will swing heads your way.
$41,628, from Soo Kee Jewellery
The Singapore Flyer inspired these glittering earrings made of diamonds set in 18k white and yellow gold. Called the Ecological Fortune Wheel, they, like the Flyer, will make you feel on top of the world.
$5,355, from On Cheong Jewellery
Yellow gold is updated with a lighter shade for the Trio bracelet. The interconnecting rings represent the rings of the Olympics, the Formula One Grand Prix night race and the Singapore Flyer.
$3,885, from Poh Heng Jewellery
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Aug 15, 2008.
