Indian Jewellery - a state of ecstasy, which lavishes you with all luxuries. Pride, happiness, joy are few emotions that fleet across the mind and heart as you view the creations. Jewellery the lure, the fascination, the mesmerizing effect that it has had across time….an allure that cuts across boundaries and cultures. An infinite grandeur, a fabulous mix of emotion and reason that is strangely inexplicable.

Jewels 2001 is the great Indian Jewellery show, which is the exhibition cum sale of jewellery. It attracts the work of the finest craftsman who imprint their vision on gold and precious stones with the magic of a pair of hands. An event created to give an opportunity for jewellers to make a presentation of their finest efforts.

The environment at the venue synergies wealth and power, so symbolic of the external manifestation of jewellery. Creators of the most fabulous collection of jewellery including diamonds, platinum, gold, silver, gem stones such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires and pearls of various range and exquisite designer watches etc were under one roof. An event where over
25 jewellers from all over India such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jalgaon, Calcutta, Jaipur etc took part.

It is targeted to visitors from all walks of life from middle class to elite. The event benefitted not only the consumer with a variety of designs to choose from along with special discount and offers but also the retailers who can see the latest innovations of international styles and design and place their orders. The type of jewellery, the participants dealt in Jewels 2001 are
Bridal collection, Traditional Antique Collection, All-occasion collection, Gift collection, Casual collection, Men’s collection, Modern jewellery collection, Kids collection. The famous actress of yesteryears and wife of Nawab Pataudi, Sharmila Tagore inaugurated the exhibition.

The products on display included earrings, bracelets, gold rings, necklaces, diamond sets, armlets, chains, etc. The price range in diamond sets started from Rs 25,000 to Rs 25 lakhs. Gold sets starting from Rs 15,000 to 1 lakh, gold ear-rings starting from Rs 500 to Rs 50,000. Diamond studded ones ranged from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakhs, gem stones ranged from Rs 1000 a carat to Rs 50,000 a carat, pearl sets ranged from Rs 2000 to Rs 2 lakhs.

In all the entire collective worth of jewellery displayed at Jewels 2001 was estimated to be over Rs 25 crores. India is the world leader in exports of cut and polished diamonds and also the largest foreign exchange earner to the country.

There has been a stupendous growth in jewellery exports compared to the past decade. From US$ 200 millions during 1990-91 it has grown to US $ 1000 millions during 1999-2000. The major gem and jewellery export is the cut and polished diamonds worth US $ 6647.83 millions.

The exhibition was held at Pragati Maidan from 23rd to 27th February 2001.

- Jyoti Narang