The event featured the first locally sourced Emirati gemstone, along with what is described as the world’s most expensive gold dress.
More than 96,000 visitors attended the 57th Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show in Sharjah, marking a 6% increase from the previous edition and highlighting the continued strength of the regional luxury jewellery market as well as the UAE’s growing role as a trading hub for the industry.
The five-day exhibition, organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with support from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), concluded on Sunday. It brought together 400 exhibitors from 19 countries across a 30,000-square-metre venue, featuring leading manufacturers and designers of gold, diamonds, gemstones, luxury jewellery, and watches.
Participating companies increased competition by rolling out major promotions, including absorbing VAT on selected products, offering discounts of 60–75% on diamond jewellery, and reducing manufacturing charges on gold ornaments, in an effort to encourage consumer spending and drive sales.
The exhibition also highlighted emerging industry trends, featuring laboratory-grown diamonds, precious metals, and advancements in jewellery manufacturing and packaging technologies, alongside premium collections of diamonds, gold, platinum, silver, coloured gemstones, and pearls.
Among the key attractions was a gold dress valued at Dh5 million, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s most expensive gold dress. Crafted from more than 10 kilograms of 21-carat gold by Al Romaizan Gold & Jewellery, it was displayed publicly for the first time and drew significant crowds.
International participation remained strong, with exhibitors from China, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, and the US, alongside eight Arab countries. Five major international pavilions from Italy, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand presented exclusive collections and new product launches aimed at regional buyers.
The exhibition also marked a milestone for the UAE jewellery sector with the launch of the country’s first locally sourced gemstone, named “Spirit of the Emirates.” The stone, made from natural red jasper sourced from the Al Siji region of Fujairah, was developed in partnership with the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation.
The Emirati Goldsmiths Platform also saw its strongest participation to date, featuring 20 designers, including seven women making their debut, as well as a design by people of determination. This highlighted the sector’s growing focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and the development of local talent.
