Jewellery exhibitors at The Bride Show Abu Dhabi report strong sales

Businesses from the region, including many local UAE companies and those from Jordan and Lebanon, have been taking advantage of the booming wedding industry in the Emirates and the important role stunning jewellery plays in every wedding celebration.

"We continue to do excellent business at The Bride Show, and this year is working very well for us," said Nareg Avakian, Manager of Joder House of Diamonds, a Dubai-based jeweller. "I have seen an increase in the numbers of sets we are selling - the combination of necklace, earrings and bracelet is very popular for brides to wear on their big day. Our fourth year at the Abu Dhabi show is proving to be very successful."

According to independent research commissioned in 2007 by IIR Middle East, the organizers of The Bride Show in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, UAE consumers spend thousands of dirhams on jewellery for their weddings. More than a third, 36%, proposed to spend more than Dhs30,000 while 10% intended to spend more than Dhs100,000.

The research, undertaken with visitors at The Bride Show in 2007, found that the average cost of a wedding in the UAE stood at Dhs300,000. Almost half, 43%, were planning to spend an overall Dhs100,000, and 12% a staggering half a million dirhams.

The Siroya Collection, which has been established in the UAE for 30 years, has launched a new bridal line of diamonds and precious stones at The Bride Show Abu Dhabi. Sitting pride of place at its exhibition stand is a mixed cut diamond jewellery set from the bridal wear line worth Dhs600,000 which is causing much interest from brides-to-be.

"From our research and from speaking to visitors at The Bride Show in the last few years, we know that jewellery is the second most important purchase after the wedding gown, when planning a wedding," said Daphne Cota, Exhibitions Manager for The Bride Show.

"A number of our exhibitors in the jewellery sector, such as Amwaj, Kanwar and Shattaf, have been at the show for at least three years because they receive such excellent returns on investment. These businesses are provided with a direct link to consumers who continue to purchase their products."

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, closes on Friday 8 February at 11pm. The final day includes fashion shows from renowned names Beenas Collection, Ghanati Couture and Rahmanian Haute Couture.

The event is described as a one-stop shop for brides-to-be and women who enjoy fashion, beauty and travel.