The One and Only Shimmering and Glimmering Global 'Gems and Jewelry Fair': September 13-16 2006, in Bangkok

Dazzling September presents to you the world famous Gems and Jewelry Fair 2006, pulling its breaks in Bangkok, Thailand at the Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani. This extraordinary event takes up only one whole floor of the Impact Arena and is considered to be the longest set-up (length wise), out of all the countries that host the show. After all Thailand are the most skillful in initially finding and preparing gems.

There are booths of jewelry companies from all over the world neatly placed around a food and drink treasure chest right in the middle of all the sparkles. The whole area is immensely spacious and the ceiling is very high giving it a ballroom effect, except the people are dressed in the most simple clothes. After all eyes have to be on the jewelry, and believe me no-one is able to take their eyes off. As you walk through you would actually get to hear wowing from time to time as if the on-lookers are viewing astonishing acts and not simply jewels. There are also special features each year which have nothing to do with accessible jewelry! Like for example, there has been a motor cycle plated with gems in a preceding showcase! This year Thai traditional magnificent jewelry was flaunted. Now this is amazing!

There is a wide variety of jewelry and gems at this show, ranging from semi-precious stones to necklaces, earrings, gold chains, bracelets and anklets etc. These items are actually surprisingly priced at reasonable rates. It is a treat to simply walk your way around this fair, and in turn actually get the feel of going jewelry shop hopping from country to country, all in one walk!

To sum it all up you get to meet new people of all nationalities and indulge yourselves in extreme, so-called window-shopping! The whole show lasts four days, and for the first three days only gems and jewelry company owners and employees are allowed to attend, but on the last day anyone and everyone can get the real deal of international star quality! Now this is what I call awakening your inner king or queen and putting on that crown for a couple of hours!

The 3^rd year Vice President of The Thai Gems and Jewelry Association (TGJA) Mr. Atul Jogani briefly but swiftly broadens our knowledge by giving us a better idea of the background and inside story! (He has also been the President of the Indian/Thai Diamond and Color Stone Association)

How do you evaluate the current situation with the jewelry industry?

Even though the oil prices are going up, the gold prices are fluctuating tremendously and the world economy is unstable, I am happy with the current statistics from the last 7 months. In spite of the unrest the export has increased by 20% compared to last year.

What are your views and advice for the forthcoming future for the India/Thailand jewelry industry?

The 84 commodities Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been signed by the governments of Thailand and India on September 9^th. Thailand is at an advantage because, the consumer market in India is 600million compared to 20million in Thailand so that in itself is a plus point. Even though India's labor costs are low the quality and finish of jewelry is better in Thailand.

Bakul Mehta the Chairman of the Indian Gems and Jewelry Association, showers us with a friendly synopsis too!

What are your views on the FTA between Thailand and India?

Due to the Free Trade Agreement both the countries will benefit a great deal. There is tremendous scope and it has taken effect already. The bilateral trade between the two countries will benefit from this greatly. World reshuffling has attracted European, American and Gulf buyers to India and Thailand, due to the low labor cost. Some of the FTA's 84 commodities include jewelry, cars, garments, gems and diamond powder.