Kohinoor and George Hakim among 170+ brands

if you are in the market sparkling new gemscheck out the Abu Dhabi Jewellery and Watch Fair, which is in its 29th year.

The exhibition, sponsored by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, will run at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until 13 November, featuring more than 170 local and international brands.

On display are traditional brands such as India’s Kohinoor Jewellers, founded in 1862, and Lebanese George Hakim, founded in 1875. There are also luxurious Italian designs by Veschetti and Ferrari Firenze, and collections by Emirati brands Al Fardan Jewellery and La Marquise.

The exhibit is a great place to discover established and emerging jewelry and watch makers, many of which have fascinating backstories that influenced their collections.

For example, Nsouli Jewelry in Lebanon was launched in 1982 by Atef Nsouli. Despite the challenges he faced in the war-torn country, the self-made entrepreneur expanded the brand from his studio in Beirut to a trading and polishing company in the prestigious Antwerp uncut diamond market.

Most of the brands listed above are housed in the International Design Fair’s exhibition grounds, one of two speciality suites divided at this year’s fair. The other is the UAE Design Gallery, which occupies the other end of Adnec’s sprawling 9,243 square metres.

Meanwhile, UAE-focused design galleries are showcasing works that reflect the country’s heritage and history.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Ebda’a Awards, held in partnership with Emirati designer Azza Al Qubaisi, who featured promising young jewellery designers at the end of the exhibition. These rising stars usually return to the Abu Dhabi Jewellery & Watch Fair the following year to showcase their own collections.

The Abu Dhabi Jewellery & Watch Fair will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition and Convention Centre until 13 November.For more information, please visit www.jws.ae

Updated: November 10, 2022, 12:05 pm