By David Brough
The Istanbul Jewelry Show recorded a sharp increase in online visitor registrations compared to pre-pandemic levels, saw strong footfall and order flow, and a large influx of new exhibitors, notably Turkish gold jewellery manufacturers.
“After a two-year break exhibitors and buyers are hungry to work,” Sermin Cengiz, founding partner of the Istanbul Jewelry Show, told Jewellery Outlook in an interview on October 9, 2021.
Online visitor registrations were up 170 percent for the October 7-10, 2021, show, compared with 2019, before the pandemic, she said.
The buyers came mainly from the Middle East, including the Gulf region and North Africa, and Europe, notably Russia and CIS countries, with some buyers from the U.S., but Asian buyers were absent due to Covid-related travel restrictions.
Exhibitors reported a strong flow of orders, with some saying their order books were at full capacity at a time of skilled labour shortages, notably of polishers, in Turkey. Many of the orders were to fill demand during the festive season later this year.
“Exhibitors have been thanking me when I walk along the corridors,” Sermin said.
Sermin Cengiz, Founding Partner, Istanbul Jewelry Show, with Jewellery Outlook Editor David Brough
The show recorded an influx of new exhibitors, including gold jewellery manufacturers, another signal that Turkey is becoming an increasingly efficient supplier of manufactured jewellery to export markets.
The Turkish jewellery sector prides itself on its flexibility and adaptability, with factories capable of switching easily between supply of different caratages of gold jewellery to meet clients’ requirements.
Turkey is a leading supplier of gold and silver jewellery, and diamond jewellery, with some output of silver jewellery set with lower value gemstones.
Roberto Bravo has tapped into a niche market, supplying fine gem-set jewellery largely to Russian and CIS customers.
Roberto Bravo CEO Mustafa Kamar speaks with a staff member at the brand’s stand at the Istanbul Jewelry Show
Russian and CIS buyers attended the show in high numbers, as seen in their buoyant turnout to the well-attended corporate party given by Roberto Bravo in the rooftop nightclub of the Sofitel Taksim hotel in Istanbul on October 8, 2021.
The Istanbul Jewelry Show showcased artisan designers in its “Designer Market”, such as Asya Ozkan, who handcrafts silver ear cuffs, and Ali Cicekli, who has created exceptional rings in precious metals inspired by Istanbul mosques.
Asya Ozkan shows off her silver ear cuff at the Istanbul Jewelry Show
The Istanbul Jewelry Show, organised by Informa Markets, runs until October 10, 2021.
