Demand Surprises IIJS Exhibitors
August 26, 12
 People lining the halls of IIJS 2012 |
Princess cut diamonds are especially sough after, as are Pear, Cushion, Emerald and Asscher cuts, exhibitors reported. Buyers are after SI+ clarities in a wide range of colors for these goods.
For rounds, purchasing is more cautious. Buyers are staying away from one-carat goods, looking for 1.25-carat to 3-carat diamonds and for the small size melee and star goods.
IIJS opened on Thursday to very heavy visitor traffic. Throughout Friday and the weekend the halls of the show were packed with buyers busily going from booth to booth, examining the offerings and, most importantly, comparing prices.
Indian retailers are voicing concerns over fluctuating diamond prices, expressing a preference for gold jewelry, a preference, they said, shared by consumers as well.
This sent buyers to gold jewelry booths, where business seemed more brisk than at diamond jewelry or loose diamond booths.
It is therefore that although diamond firms viewed traffic and business as a pleasant surprise, they are still estimating the level of business on par with last year's, which was not very positive. IIJS 2011 took place when very high polished diamond prices were shunned by buyers, resulting in limited business and tumbling prices.
On the sidelines of the show, IIJS organizers GJEPC expressed an interest in improving the shows venue. They are pushing for the erection of a new convention center that could accommodate more exhibitors. As a temporary relief, GJEPC is considering adding a mezzanine level to the current high-ceiling facility.
GJEPC vice chair Sanjay Kothari announced plans to launch a three-year generic diamond marketing campaign in
Kothari noted the large population and growth potential as the reasons for focusing on
 Buyers and visitors stood in long lines to enter IIJS' hall 1 |