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by Elmo Leonard

The 15th Sri Lankan International Gem and Jewellery Show rebranded as `FACETS Sri Lanka' ended in Colombo, yesterday, as a resounding success. The show which began on August 31 accommodated 150 stalls, 50 more than at the FACETS 2004 exhibition. Hong Kong, Myanmar and India participated in a big way this year.

Hundreds of wellknown gem buyers from all over the world made their picks. A feature of this year's show was the increased entry of exquisite jewellery.

Sri Lanka is reputed to have the largest and most exquisite coloured gemstones making up 55 of 150 known varieties. The range runs from the one-of-a-kind Blue Sapphire, Star Sapphires, Pink, Yellow and Orange Sapphires, Padparadschas, Cats Eyes, Chrysoberyls and Garnets, Spinels, Moonstones and Aquamarine among other varieties, which held the interest of so many buyers.

This was underscored by chairman of the FACETS organising committee Macky Hashim, when he said that designers and manufacturers had worked hand-in-hand for many months to include the most dazzling designs to their trend setting collections. Year 2004 recorded the highest revenue of $105.9 million through gems and jewellery exports.

The chief guest on the occasion, Allen Kleiman, president of Allen Kleiman and Co, Colorado, USA said that over the years he had visited Sri Lanka and his purchases of exquisite gemstones had added much to his business. He greatly valued the friendship he fosters with Sri Lankans in the trade, from his many visits, here.

Hashim, noted that the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), the apex body of the industry, with the sponsorship of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and private sector organisations have continued to conduct this show for the past 14 years. This year, for the first time the SLGJA is having their own pavilion while the EDB has been having a pavilion of their own for the past 14 years.

The organisers also picked a best booth award and a best gem cutter award at the show.

This year the organising committee provided a separate pavilion under the different product categories for the convenience of buyers visiting the show. FACETS has now established itself as the only international gem and jewellery trade show in Sri Lanka and is on the international gem and jewellery calendar. Come September, come FACETS is now a well established adage among the international gem and jewellery trade, Hashim said.

Minister of Advanced Technology and National Enterprise Development, Rohitha Bogollagama who opened the show said that the government had plans to make the local gem and jewellery industry, the leading industry in the country. More tax holidays would be provided for industrialists.

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