Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair - Thailand’s world of silver

May 2013

Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair - Thailand’s world of silver

May 2013

By Cynthia Unninayar

Since Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of silver jewellery, it was only logical that the theme of the 51st edition of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair would be the “World of Silver.”


Gemstone, pearl, and silver earrings and necklace by Dhevan Dara.

Silver did indeed dominate at the recent Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair (BGJF), held this past February. “It is time we showed off our silver masterpieces,” mused Somchai Phornchindarak, President of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association and the Gems, Jewelry, and Precious Metal Confederation of Thailand. “Silver is clean and stylish, and offers unlimited imaginative design. The variety of Thai silver jewellery has been widely recognized in the global industry thanks to Thai craftsmanship and traditional savoir-faire. With the ‘World of Silver’ campaign, we want to make people aware of the fact that they can come to Thailand for their silver needs.”

In addition to silver pieces by established brands, a special exhibition of silver jewellery at the Design Pavilion Trend 2014 showcased a wide variety of creations by young designers from the Poh Chang Academy of Art. Under the theme “World of Silver to AEC,” 150 students submitted designs, which were inspired by the cultures of the ASEAN nations. In fact, ASEAN seemed be on everyone’s mind as Thailand prepares to join the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. With 600 million people, this makes the AEC one of the largest consumer blocks in the world. [The first AEC jewellery summit was held in Thailand last September, and is seen as the first step toward unprecedented levels of cooperation that could establish the region as a major player in the global gems and jewellery industry.]


After the official opening of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, a gala fashion event showcased a variety of exquisite jewellery, created by a number of respected Thai brands, under the theme “Angels of Silver.” One of the highlights of this fashion parade of priceless pieces was the luxurious parure from Blue River, worn by Thailand’s top model Sririta Jensen.

While silver stole the spotlight at the fair and in the gala fashion shows, the gold and gem sectors were certainly not ignored. Thailand ranks 11th in the world for gold jewellery exports, and is the 3rd largest exporter of facetted gemstones. This is due in part to cooperation between the government and private industry. In his address at the opening ceremony, Nattawut Saikuar, Deputy Minister of Commerce, commented that this “joint public/private cooperation will continue to sustain Thailand’s status as an international leader in the gem and jewellery industry and will eventually bring continuous growth to the Thai sector.” He also stressed the economic importance of the industry, explaining that the gems and jewellery sector contributes more than US$13.1 billion in export revenue to the nation, despite the weak world economy, and that it provides massive employment.

Facilitating Business

Among the government supported initiatives are the Zero-VAT pavilion, where rough gemstones from around the world are sold free of the 7-percent value added tax, and a duty free zone for manufacturing and trading. “Gemopolis is a world-class industrial estate specialized in servicing the gems and jewellery trade,” explained Phornchindarak. “It is a tax-free area, which benefits local and foreign traders, offering a wide array of nontax privileges. International companies in the gems and jewellery sector are keenly interested in the vast capacities that Gemopolis offers.”

Fair organizers are also negotiating with the Thai Government to introduce a dutyfree system for items brought into Thailand specifically for the Bangkok Fair. Suttipong Damrongsakul, CEO of the BGJF, stated that his goal was to have this duty-free facility in operation for the September 2013 fair. This would effectively make the BGJF a free port and comparable to fairs in other duty-free locations in Asia.


Silver, gemstone, and diamond pendant by JNB Mfg & Ruby and diamond necklace in silver by Beauty Gems.

The Bangkok fair is, however, first and foremost a trade show, and was organized to make buying and selling as easy as possible between the 3000 exhibitors and the nearly 40,000 visiting buyers from more than 100 countries. As evidence of the fair’s international appeal, 300 of its exhibitors came from overseas, from 36 other nations, including the USA and Europe.

Among other initiatives to facilitate business was the “Gems & Jewelry Factory Outlet”, which saw brisk business as the BGJF cash-and-carry market, where all categories of jewels, even from major companies, were available at competitive prices. Continuing its popularity was the “Business Matching Service,” an online sourcing project that enabled buyers to locate specific suppliers for specific products, and then to meet them at the show.


Ruby and diamond ring by Gem Production & Ruby and diamond earrings by Princess Gems.

The “Ploi Thai Jewelry Creation” exhibition has now become an essential part of the BGJF, and offered visitors a chance to see fine jewellery bearing the “Ploi Thai” country brand. Each piece on display was designed and created by some of Thailand’s finest artisans for the event and showcases the creativity, capacities, and craftsmanship of Thai manufacturers. The “Design Pavilion” featured upcoming trends in jewellery.

While some Thai companies brand their own jewellery, many others serve as a manufacturer for some of the world’s largest well-known brands, as well as many smaller brands. On these pages are examples of a variety of Thai companies, selling both branded and non-branded pieces, in both gold and silver.


Silver, gemstone, and pearl ring by Goldlip & Facetted yellow and blue sapphires and rubies from TC Mining.

Comments from Buyers

Visitors to the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair offered various opinions on how they found the show and its suppliers.

“Apart from Thailand, we only order from Italy. We find the fair to be very good and come every time. On this trip, we met 20 exhibitors and will order about US$50,000 worth of product. The Business Matching Service provided a very nice set-up to make good contacts. It helped save time to source reliable suppliers that match our specific requirements.” – Margarethe Leeb, Leeb & Leschanz Gmbh, Austria.


Silver, gemstone, and pearl parure by Pochai.

“I have been attending the Bangkok Fair for 3-4 years now. Usually my company in Hong Kong looks for fashion and silver jewellery here. What I like most about this fair is that everything is located in one big hall, so it’s very straightforward planning and easy to find things without going up and down too many floors.” – Miroslav Polak, Sales Manager of Preciosa International (H.K.), Hong Kong.

“The Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair is fantastic and has a great range of products for our selection. In addition, the Business Matching Service was also very helpful and efficiently set up. We found that Thai exhibitors are very creative and offer us innovative designs. We plan to start our order from Thailand at around AU$10,000.” – Bob and Ali Lawrence, Alibaba’s Treasures, Australia.

“I am a small retailer with a shop in Beirut, and visit only a fair each year. This is my second time at the show. I like it a lot as it offers many suppliers and it is very easy to find things I am looking for, especially silver jewellery with more strange and edgy designs.” – Farah Yamout, AL Farah Modern Company, Lebanon.


Emerald and diamond ring and necklace by LS Oriental.

“This is my first time to the show and I am very impressed. There are a lot of products. I met more than fifty companies and am very interested in about ten of them. The Business Matching Service allowed me to meet with many exclusive suppliers that serve my needs, which would be difficult just walking the show. My order will be around US$100,000.” – Alan Maldanado, Alhema Jewelry, Mexico.

“I have visited the Bangkok show many times. Thailand is my preferred choice of suppliers.” – Michelle Stallard, Michelle Stallard, United Kingdom.


Gold and gemstone bracelet by Pranda Jewelry & Sapphire, gold, and diamond earrings by Beverley K.

“The Business Matching Service is great for buyers visiting the show. You set up all the meetings, and the suppliers come to see me, knowing what I want. I plan to buy from Thailand about US$100,000 worth of product.” – Reza Piroznia, Jewellery Jamboree Gems, Canada.

“Thailand is an excellent source for gems and jewellery and I have been visiting the Bangkok show for the last ten years. This is the first time I used the Business Matching Service and it helped me in locating new suppliers. My purchases from Thailand will increase about 20 percent to US$1.2 million this time.” Aseem P. Singh, Links Inc., USA.