The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
U.S. Market, Tax Benefits Expected to Aid Thai Industry
The Thai government predicts that its gem and jewelry sector will grow 10 percent in export value in 2016, with the U.S. market playing a part.

Bangkok--The Thai government is aiming to turn around the performance of its gem and jewelry show in Bangkok, aiming to make it into one of the largest trade events while growing the sector overall.
The Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association organized the last 34 editions of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, but the event is again being fully run by the country’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), in what the department says is an effort to bolster trade and production of gems and jewelry.
The show continues through Monday at the Impact Challenger event center, located in the Muang Thong Thani section of Bangkok.
Gems and jewelry are Thailand’s third largest export, after automobiles and electronics, and the category is expected to increase 10 percent in export values in 2016 to $7.9 billion, the DITP said, citing numbers from the Global Trade Atlas.
The U.S. market is expected to play a part in this as the region continues to grow and provide opportunity for the Thai gem and jewelry sector, Chantira Jimreivat Vivatrat, deputy director-general of the DITP, Ministry of Commerce, said at the show.
As part of the ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) economic community now, Thailand also is able to offer a zero-VAT incentive for buyers, as the agreement provides for no import and export duty taxes on items traded among the countries involved, helping Thailand compete with other nearby markets and attract more international buyers.
The country also is counting on the rise of the “super-rich” consumer segment to contribute to its expected growth.
The Bangkok show, which seemed to get off to a slow start Wednesday but picked up in visitor attendance Thursday, is comprised of 791 companies, 640 of which are domestic, with the most registered attendees coming from India, followed by the United States, Australia, Myanmar and Japan.
As Thailand is known for its colored gemstones, colored gem exhibitors make up about a third of the show, followed by silver, which also is a strong performer for the country, and then gold, pearls and diamonds, officials said at the show.
Ultimately, DITP said it aims to make the event one of the world’s top three gem and jewelry events by 2018 and will continue to adapt the show based on buyer and exhibitor feedback and attract more international buyers and exhibitors.
But as the event faces competition
The show takes place just before the Hong Kong gem and jewelry shows, so organizers said they will try separate their event through differentiated product, such as its craftsmanship and silver jewelry.
Organizers also are working to promote young and emerging talent. Recently, the Thailand Ministry of Commerce created a new program to debut pieces from 10 emerging designers to the U.S. market through an event called “Thailand Jewelry -- 10 Imaginers.”
The designers showcased their creations in one-on-one appointments in an effort to attract buyers from upscale stores in the U.S.
These emerging jewelry designers also have a presence at the Bangkok show, and organizers said they will aim to build up that section to bring forward more innovative product to highlight the branded side of the Thai jewelry sector.
The Latest

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.


The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.

The Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.

Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.

The $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.

























