Sri Lanka International Gem & Jewellery Show- ‘FACETS 2010’ to kick-off today

Much-awaited glittering gem and jewellery show- FACETS 2010, held annually in Colombo since 1991 with state and private sector patronage, is to be inaugurated by Minister of Environment, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, today at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre in Colombo.

The FACETS Sri Lanka 2010 will have hundreds of local and foreign exhibitors showcasing their gem and jewellery products and a large number of influential trade visitors from around the world promises to be "Bigger and Better" than ever before.

FACETS 2010 promises better overseas participation and wider cosmopolitan exposure, to both product and company. Steady consistent growth and gradually diversify from the inception, has been the impetus to both seasoned trader and novice to put forth quality, from the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka, the world's oldest source of the most spectacular gemstones will showcase the beauty and rarity of her magnificent sapphires and dozens of other varieties of gemstones at Facets Sri Lanka, the International Gem and Jewellery Show in September 2010.

Held annually in Colombo since 1991, Facets Sri Lanka made an exciting new beginning in September 2005 when the show moved to a smart new venue, the BMICH Exhibition and Convention Centre in Colombo. Exhibitors increased by more than 50 percent and the show took on a whole new professional and international atmosphere, with smart new booths displaying a greater variety of fine gemstones and exquisite jewellery.

Facets Sri Lanka 2010 promises to be even bigger and better. Exhibitor numbers are expected to grow by a further 30 percent and the Fair will showcase a wide variety of sapphires and gemstones from producers and wholesalers from all the main producing areas of Sri Lanka.

To give the show an international flavor, producers and wholesalers from the main gemstone producing countries in Africa, Asia, South America and Australia are being invited to exhibit their gemstone products at the show.

The first exhibition of Sri Lanka’s gems and jewellery, FACETS 1991, was held at Hotel Hilton Colombo from September 9 to 12. There were to begin with 50 stalls which displayed for the first time in Sri Lanka a rare collection of precious stones owned by the gem traders of Sri Lanka.

The exhibition created awareness in the country among the gem merchants, the importance of holding an annual exhibition of this nature. The exhibition also created an opportunity for all gem traders to display their collections and market them. This effort was pioneered by the Sri Lanka Gem Traders’ Association. The Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association (SLGJA) is recognized as the Apex Trade Association representing the gem & jewellery industry of Sri Lanka.

In October 2002, three trade association namely, the Sri Lanka Jewellery Manufacturing Exporters Association (Established in 1979), the Sri Lanka Lapidarists and Exporters Association (Established in 1985) and the Sri Lanka Jewellers and Gem Merchants Federation (Established in 1969), merged with the Sri Lanka Gem Traders Association (Established in 1970) and founded the Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association. The SLGJA as the successor of four trade association stands as the oldest trade organization representing the gem & jewellery industry of Sri Lanka.

The history of the gems of Sri Lanka can be traced back over a three millennia. While Sri Lankan gems are much written about by early travellers from Europe, Arabia and Asia, they are part of many legends, folk lore and literary works. They have adorned many a crown, serve as prized possessions of royalty and the rich and famous through the ages right up to this day.

Gem, and jewellery exports in 2009 brought in Rs 45 bn (nearly US $ 405 mn) while National Gem and Jewllery Authority (NGJA) had identified India, China, Russia, Turkey, Taiwan and Oman as new markets for Sri Lankan gems.

- Asian Tribune -