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The 'ladies only' morning at Jewellery Arabia 2008 took off without a hitch as women from around the globe flocked to the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre to view and select glittering watches and gems in a secure and private atmosphere.
The Arab passion for fine jewellery has created the world's largest and most dynamic jewellery market worth more than $30 billion a year.
Bahrain is the ideal location for the glamorous five-day event due to its physical connection to Saudi Arabia, the region's single largest jewellery consumer, making it the gateway to the Arabian jewellery market.
Now in its 17th year, Jewellery Arabia is established as the biggest and most prestigious jewellery exhibition in the Middle East. It provides international jewellery houses with direct access to trade buyers and private collectors from throughout the Arab World.
Simple gold designs, Bahraini pearls, coloured stones and white gold were the biggest hot-sellers of the day.
According to Faiza Jewellery, agent to L'Azurde Jewellery Designs in Bahrain, white 18-carat gold is favourite with the younger generation of women in the kingdom for its light weight and affordability. Ritesh Dhanak, production manager of Faiza Jewellery said: "It was such a spectacular day for us as we received a lot of feedback from women of all ages about our products, especially regarding the exclusive Elisa collection.
"I find that a lot of women look forward to the exhibition so that they can be aware of the latest designs available on the market, not to mention it occurs right before Eid.
"At Faiza Jewellery, customers can recreate their earrings, rings and necklaces into new up-to-date designs or even exchange them."
Phillipa Slatter, 41, and friend Yasmin Baur-setterh, 38, both prefer to shop at smaller stores like Faiza Jewellery rather than at the big branded shops.
Phillipa, a lawyer from Barbar, said: "I look for classical jewellery especially simple white gold. I am just browsing for ideas for Christmas. Once I find something I like I will make a suggestion to my husband."
Yasmin, a mother and university teacher, said: "Normally I look for the simple styles as well and really like the minimalist look. It doesn't necessarily have to be a Monte Blanc for me to like it, as long as I like it then it doesn't matter where it is from.
However, classical jewellery is not for everyone and international brands also dazzled and shone at Jewellery Arabia. Asprey London is a popular international brand with women from the GCC who like its unique jewellery designs and bespoke leather bags.
Spokeswoman for Asprey Middle East, Alexandra Anastasio, said: "We are exhibiting in Bahrain for the first year in hopes of expanding in the future as we already have a store in Dubai. We have been very busy with lots of lovely compliments not only about our jewellery but also about our tent as it is very original in comparison to the other exhibitors.
"Platinum and white gold are really hot at the moment with Arab women but obviously coloured stones do very well here and we have brought quite a variety of those designs. We brought all of our new collections with us this year and some have literally just been launched.
"Victoria Beckham owns our lovely three rose daisy diamond necklace and Celine Dion wore the 'Coeur de la Mer' necklace that we made for the movie Titanic to the Oscars where she was nominated. Kierra Knigthley used to be the face of Asprey.
"In terms of the exhibition, we will definitely be coming back next year."
Lubna Kayyali, a teacher at Ibn Khuldoon School, from A'ali, found the exhibition both beautiful and tempting. She said: "I realised after browsing around that you really have to have a set budget for this exhibition as it can get quite pricey. I was newly introduced to rose gold, beige gold and many new shades of gold. I used 'ladies only' morning to find what I like and will be coming back later in the evening with my husband to show him what I want."
Aside from the women of the GCC, Jewellery Arabia received grand reviews from internationally acclaimed business women.
Yolanda Stern came all the way from California just to see the jewels on offer. The president of the American Chamber of Commerce said: "This is one of the best shows that I have been to. I have been to the Dubai and Hong Kong Jewellery exhibitions but I really like Jewellery Arabia because it is very organised and I have seen really good quality jewels."
Brenda Walker, a realtor and photographer from Berkeley, California, said: "I came to Jewellery Arabia because it is the biggest exhibition in the Middle East. My husband is in the pearl business and has been coming to Bahrain for the past 15 years."
