Offerings from Hong Kong's Gold Source.

At the same time, the Chinese mainland and the Middle East are being seen as promising consumer markets for jewellery sales, with both Hong Kong and overseas firms hoping to increase their offerings in these emerging regions.

Steven Yeung, Sales Supervisor of Hong Kong-based East Arts Jewelry Manufactory Ltd, outlined the fact that Russia and the Middle East are its main, focused markets. With a medium-priced profile for its white gold and diamond pieces East Arts aims to present jewellery which is simple and classic in design to match the disposable incomes and preferences of its customer base.

Zeng: emerging market customers.

Stanley Zeng, Assistant Manager for Hong Kong's Royalking Jewellery, said: "we received visits from buyers in different European countries and some also from Italy. For us the best market is the Middle East, followed by Europe, but China might also become a good market."

Royalking Jewellery products are in gold and diamonds, studded with coloured stones. Wholesale and retail prices ranging from Euros100 to Euros5,000.

Vicenzaoro Choice, the autumn fair dedicated to gold articles and precious pieces, featured 1,333 exhibitors, with overall attendance up 28% over last year.

This edition was dedidated to Christmas purchases, the year's sales highlight for the jewellery sector, but it had only a lukewarm approvals rating from exhibitors.

	Lo: conflict with Hong Kong show.

The fluctuation of gold prices was another topical subject: it's said to create a number of problems for manufacturers. Most producers fix prices upon receiving orders. Others rely on insurance cover to protect them from substantial raw material pricing risks.

Still other manufacturers are tending to use less of their reservoir of precious metals but more diamonds or other semi-precious stones.

Light jewellery shines

In jewellery trends, lightness and cut-works are on the front line, as well as interlaced threads and vacuum-carved gold. All types of gold are being used, including yellow, white, pink and black.

A new commercial trend is on the cusp.  Jewellery for kids and babies is a phenomenon which may yet become something of a trend among affluent purchasers, apparently thanks to the worldwide baby boom.

Collection for kids.		Yellow gold with smoky quartz pendants.

By contrast, a poor but trendy material like wood is more widely used instead of gold for large bracelets, oversized rings, or showy pendants, but embellished by large-sized cabochon-cut semi-precious stones or cut in slices.

Black and white and delicate, diffused colours are said to be the most trendy ones for Christmas, whereas transparent rock crystals are a hit as "colourless" stones.

Australian and Tahitian iridescent pearls are still popular. Row diamonds, with a scale cut to follow the inspiration of Nature, are used in alternative configurations with polished and traditional diamonds. These are still the choice most often seen for anniversaries and gift giving occasions.

There were spiral patterns, and rich and elaborate chandelier earrings. Also strong at the show was the tendency to offer more modest collections using gold and silver plated or coloured silver, embellished by variegated enamels.

Inspiration from fabrics, regions

The strength of a Favero collection is a line which takes its inspiration directly from the fabrics of the European Renaissance, with pieces toned down in volume, in diamond weights and in price to meet changing market requirements.

Autore's ice and snow theme.

At Vicenzaoro, the buyer's attention was also drawn to the new collection of pens with diamonds and precious stones set in resin.

Autore is an Australian company that was present and used Australian and Tahitian pearls, diamonds and precious stones featuring unusual cuts. Alessio Boschi, Designer and Production Director, was recently awarded the prize as Italy's best jewellery designer.

Autore's newest line was Fuoco e Ghiaccio (or Fire and Ice), dedicated to the forces of nature, like snowflakes and icicles, using "chips" of row diamonds, set polished diamonds and gems featuring icy shades, like opals and aquamarines.

Chimento's future intention is to address China, a market to be tackled with care due to several hurdles, including import duties.

At the same time the company is looking with interest at the Armenian and Kazakhstan markets, with appropriate collections. Chimento's after sales service enhances its competitiveness, with every piece insured for three years.

	Etruscan look.

There was also a collection of women's watches by Schreiner Fine Jewellery, featuring rectangular cases slightly rounded at the sides, studded with diamonds and precious stones.

Cristiano Baccarini, owner of Adamas, said: "Italy and the Emirates are our most profitable markets. We participate at the [Hong Kong International Jewellery Show] because Japanese customers attend it."

Adamas's new line comprises chains covered by diamonds and precious stones, creating fine, coloured shades. Retail prices range from Euros2,000 to about Euros10,000.

Ridy Suen, the General Manager of Hong Kong's Gold Source Jewellery Ltd said the company’s products are mid-priced and the jeweller uses many diamonds and semi-precious stones.

Collections from Sunny Creations.

Misis is an Italian company which manufactures fashion silver and gold-plated silver jewellery with natural stones, zircons and coloured enamels. Its new collections include Circus. Consumer prices range from Euros150 to Euros600.

Eternity Manufacturing of Hong Kong had pieces which were aimed at high quality, defined finishes and competitive prices - almost the model collection for the event.

from special corespondents Cristina Bellavista and Clara Dodino, Vicenza