After scaling back the past few years because of the pandemic, the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair is back in its full color glory…and then some.
Attendance at this ruby jubilee edition, which commemorates the show’s 40th anniversary, is expected to reach 30,000, or double what it was last year, when the show returned after a year-and-a-half hiatus. On Tuesday, the 68th Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair’s first day, the show had already seen 10,000 visitors, a number that appeared to bode well for the rest of the week.
“We still have many days to go, so we’re feeling good about it,” said Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, director general of the Thailand Ministry of Commerce’s Department of International Trade Promotion. He noted an influx of international attendees at the show, which runs through Sept. 10 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
What Thailand does best, of course, is colored gemstones, and about half the exhibition space is dedicated to loose stones. The U.S. and Europe, in particular, gravitate to the region to pick up rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, though diamonds, silver, and gold are increasingly on to-buy lists.
“Colored gemstones are definitely one important part, but this year we’re very confident in gold and silver jewelry as well,” said Sumed Prasongpongchai, director of the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand.
Throughout the newly renovated convention center halls, JCK found big, bold pieces popping with big, bold hues. We’re talking a riot of crimson rubies, navy sapphires, pink sapphires, and deep emeralds juxtaposed with clean, white diamonds and mounted on white gold, yellow gold, rose gold or silver. Designs ranged from floral and nature motifs (animals such as peacocks and elephants and insects including butterflies and dragonflies) to classically shaped gemstone pendants, cuffs, and rings.
Bangkok-based Blue River offered exquisite brooches, necklaces, rings, and earrings with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds set in 18k gold. One necklace, in the shape of the revered peacock, wraps around the neck (but does not fasten), the graceful bird’s tail as colorful and dramatic as its head. With matching palm-size brooch, earrings, and cocktail ring, the necklace set commands $64,000.
Beauty Gems, also from Bangkok, created elephant brooches made from Swiss blue topaz with pink sapphires and diamonds on 18k white gold, as well as a necklace (pictured above) featuring 100 carats of rubies along with diamonds. Some 77 carats of large emeralds from Zambia adorn another 18k white gold necklace that also has diamonds.
Taevika by K&N Gems, from Chanthaburi, Thailand, went more organic. Think of its inspiration as a garden gone wild, with the shapes of vines, leaves, and blossoms in opulent bib necklaces, drop earrings, large cocktail rings, and lovely bracelets. Its collection features South Sea pearls, amethysts, pink sapphires, pink rose quartz, rubies, garnets, opals, and mother-of-pearl, sometimes all on one luscious piece.
In Thailand, it appears more is more—and that’s just right.
Top: Elephant brooches with Swiss blue topaz, pink sapphires, and diamonds, price on request; Beauty Gems (photos by Schogn Lee)
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