Success for golden collection at Dubai trade fair

A contemporary jewellery collection made by Italy's finest goldsmiths was unveiled in Dubai for a two-day May trade fair after its launch in Italy at the Vicenza fair earlier this year.

The Gold Expressions collection is in its third year, with almost 400 innovative new pieces launched for 2006. Over half of Italy's jewellery manufacturing base is now associated with the project.

The focus is on contemporary gold designs that satisfy diverse jewellery markets based on careful research, in order to revive a passion for gold worldwide and boost the Italian designer crafts industry.

New designs that 'break the mould' and explore the versatility of gold take inspiration from modern influences such as fashion and technology. They form many of the 2006 collection's unusual pieces.

"Since its inception, Gold Expressions has established a reputation for being the best forum where the buyers and sellers, and the international press, can identify new trends in gold jewellery," the managing director, Mr Moaz Barakat, said.

Trading opportunities for Gold Expressions are sponsored by the World Gold Council (WGC), the Vicenza Fair and AngloGold Ashanti.

The latest event at the Dubai Park Hyatt culminated in a spectacular gala dinner and fashion show centred on the collection. Mr Barakat commented that the WGC was "happy with the response (of) the Middle East market".