UAE demand for antique jewellery growing, says expert

Fashion-forward celebrities including Nicole Richie, Ashley Simpson, and Victoria Beckham have been adding a unique sparkle to their wardrobes with one-off pieces of antique and vintage jewellery.

And with the red carpet coming to Dubai this month, thanks to the fifth edition of the Dubai International Film Festival, style-conscious women in the region are also investing in vintage pieces and keeping up-to-date with the latest fashion must-haves.

"Beautiful jewellery is the perfect way to accessorise any outfit, and many trend-setting celebrities have shown that wearing out-of-the-ordinary pieces is a great way to stand out from the crowd."

said Anna Haughton, co-organiser of 'Art Antiques Design Dubai'.

The 'Art Antiques Design Dubai' fair will allow admirers exclusive access to Samina Inc's exceptional collections.

The dealer will be showcasing an extensive array of fine antique Indian jewellery dating back to the Mughal and Deccan courts.

The embellished pieces feature priceless precious stones, including Burmese rubies and diamonds from the world's earliest producing mines - the Golconda mines.

"We received a very positive response from our participation at in the inaugural Haughton fair last year and believe the fair offers us a very good annual exposure in the Middle East. Dubai's proximity to many and various peoples and cultures makes it a very feasible and interesting showcase for us, an audience which we may not be able to reach otherwise."

said Samina Khanyari, owner of ancient Indian Jewellery and precious stones dealer Samina Inc.

The wearable pieces of art will be exhibited at 'Art Antiques Design Dubai' which runs from 18 February to 22 February 2009.

The range varies in price from USD45,000 up to six figures.

However, to promote accessibility, vintage and modern items are available from about USD1,000 upwards.

Included in Samina Inc's collection is a 19th century necklace of mangoes - the manga malai.

The necklace, which originates in Tamil Nadu, South India, is delicately made from pure gold set with the famed Burmese cabochon rubies in mango-shaped units.

"The jewelled arts of Mughal India, which is our speciality, will always be an attraction for any serious collector or museum interested in Islamic art," Khanyari added.

Another distinct piece on show will be an upper armband, known as a bazuband, which is fabricated from gold and set with Golconda diamonds.

The armband is fashioned from three hinged panels curved to fit the arm and its centre section is adorned with five flat-cut rectangular diamonds.

The sleekness and flexibility of the armband is unique to the craftsmanship of the early Mughal era.

Brian Haughton of Haughton International Fairs - co-organiser of the event - said the jewellery range would attract significant attention from women in the UAE, especially in light of the upcoming Dubai International Film Festival.

"We are excited to have Samina Inc exhibiting at the fair, as vintage jewellery has become very popular with women in the UAE. The Dubai Ladies Club, with whom we have worked closely and who are hosting an exclusive ladies-only preview of the fair in 2009, has confirmed that demand for these rare accessories has grown significantly since our event last year."

'Art Antiques Design Dubai' will showcase top quality antiques and art from many countries, cultures and periods.