Fans of all things dazzling are in for a treat with the return of the annual Singapore International Jewelry Expo (SIJE), which opens today at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
One of the most expensive pieces at this year's show is a necklace featuring 33 certified natural, unheated Burma pigeon blood rubies totalling over 82 carats set in 18k yellow gold. The necklace, brought in by Malaysian jeweller DeGem, is worth US$5 million (S$6.8 million).
Another highly valuable piece, brought in by local jeweller IVY Masterpiece, is a ring with a single 27-carat flawless round brilliant diamond, certified by the Gemological Institute Of America. The diamond alone is worth $3.5 million.
The exhibition will also include a historical piece: an emerald pendant, carved and shaped by 19th-century Italian jeweller Fortunato Pio Castellani.
The pendant was a gift from Napoleon III to his lover, Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione. It is currently in the private collection of Italian jeweller and collector Roberto Sciaguato. It is not known if it will be on sale.
The exhibition, which began in 2013, ends on Sunday. It will feature more than 200 jewellers from 25 countries including Italy, Singapore, India and Peru.
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VIEW IT / SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL JEWELRY EXPO 2016
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WHERE: Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Halls A & B
WHEN: Tomorrow to Sunday, 11.30am to 8.30pm (tomorrow to Saturday), 11.30am to 7.30pm (Sunday)
ADMISSION: Free
Taking up two halls at the convention centre, the exhibition spans 8,000 sq m and is expected to showcase more than US$150 million worth of jewellery, gemstones and watches.
Organised by Conference and Exhibition Management Services, the fair also includes more affordable pieces that start from $250.
This is not the only large-scale annual jewellery exhibition in Singapore. The Singapore JewelFest will take place in October at Ngee Ann City while the Singapore Jewellery and Gem Fair will start in November at Marina Bay Sands.
According to organisers of SIJE, the exhibition is expected to bring in 15,000 visitors, including shoppers and jewellery buyers and retailers. More than 12,000 people visited SIJE last year.
Mr Edward Liu, PBM, group managing director of Conference and Exhibition Management Services, says there is a creation to intrigue every visitor at the show.
"SIJE 2016 celebrates the love of jewellery with stunning and rare gemstones that make a statement."
Admission to SIJE 2016 is free, but visitors are required to fill out a registration form at the visitor counter.
