More than 40 firms have signed Letters of Intent to participate in the World Jewelry Center, officials said Thursday.

“It’s remarkable and impressive how rapidly we have reached this level of participation,” said WJC managing director Bill Boyajian. “The momentum in favor of this project has been building steadily, as more and more business leaders embrace the vision of the World Jewelry Center through our worldwide presentations and the increasing industry-wide awareness.”

The WJC is a one-million-square-foot project is being planned as a mixed-use facility that will include an office tower, retail space, and residential condos in downtown Las Vegas.

When plans for the WJC were announced in late October 2006, 10 companies had committed to participate. The 41 that have signed LOIs to date represent a breadth of sectors in the gem and jewelry industry, including diamonds, colored stones, pearls, jewelry manufacturing, packaging and display, watches, and gem laboratories.

Examples of the WJC’s diversity include Tasaki Shinju, a vertically integrated Japanese pearl and diamond company and a Diamond Trading Company sightholder; Hearts On Fire, the company that took diamond branding to new heights; Dhamani Jewels, LLC, exclusive distributor of the 99-facet Dubai Cut diamond; Chow Tai Fook Group, Hong Kong’s leading jewelry manufacturer and retailer; House of Taylor Jewelry, Inc., with its Elizabeth Taylor and Kathy Ireland branded jewelry; and Alan Friedman Designs, an acclaimed jewelry design and colored diamond company.

The firms who have signed LOIs to date are: ESTET Jewelry Company; Kazanjian Bros., Inc.; Robert Wan Tahiti; Lucent Diamonds, Inc.; Super Bell Jewelry Co.; Simplex Diam; Chow Tai Fook Group; Alan Friedman Designs; Tycoon, Inc.; JPI Display, Inc.; American Gem Society (AGS); I Do Diamonds; Giraux Fine Jewelry; International Gemological Institute (IGI); Focus Business Management; GemFind.Net; Diamonds of Russia; MaxMark/Asian Star; Color Masters; Star Rays NY, Inc.; Dhamani Jewels, LLC; Fancy Collection; GemeWizard; Eshed Diam; M. Schnitzer & Co.; Avi Paz Group; House of Taylor Jewelry, Inc.; Tara & Sons, Inc.; C. Mahendra NY, LLC; JEA Jewelry; Bond Street Jewellers; EyeOnJewels Corp.; Shrenuj & Company, Ltd.; Haytayan Jewelers; Prompt Gem Importers; Gary Wasserman; Tasaki Shinju; Hearts On Fire; House of Watches; Vimco Diamond Corporation; and Kiran Exports.

JCK