Russian Jewellery Network

Jewellry show-fair Basel, or as the connoisseurs call it, the Jewellery Fascination in the Alps, is the oldest among like events. The show history, however paradoxical it may sound, is parallel to the history of our country. At least there are some astonishing concurrences to be noted.

The first Basel show was held in 1917. There is no need to tell about the significance of this year in the Russian history. Following the event for both the show and Russia was the stage of position strengthening and gaining acknowledgement in the world. Of course, there can be no real comparing of development process for the country and the show, yet this makes the magic of figures and parallels, which surfaces when comparing the incomparable, even more fascinating. And carrying on the analogies would make us feel creators and prophets. In 1995 the world-famous and prestigious show gained the official "world" status.

In the history of our country the 90s are too marked by a number of meaningful events. Thus, in 1995 is the year of the first non-emergency State Duma elections in the post-Soviet Russia. Finally, the present 2000. How this year will be special for the political Russia is a matter of time, but for the jewellery Russia it is first of all marked by gaining the right to present the national jewellery art at the largest jewellery show in the world - Basel 2000.

Someone might object that our jewellers have lived happily without the show so far and could live on. Such a view would betray an amateur. Nevertheless, we will make an attempt to substantiate the importance of Russia's participation in the show.

The international show-fair in Basel is a very sensitive barometer of jewellery market reflecting its present and marking down future trends. To cite one of the show's regular visitors, head of Yuvelirnye Izdelia company of Almazyuvelirexport Mr. Ya. Kovsh: "The show displays reflect all the magnificence of modern world jewellery art and combined with the perfect reputation of the show make participation in it both prestigious and extremely beneficial: the location of Basel in the center of Europe and its adjoining the main jewellery producers and consumers - France, Germany and Italy - makes it the shortest path to the European and world markets".

The fact that the market has empty spaces for Russian jewellers is confirmed by the words of executive director of Krasnoselsky Yuvelirniy Zavod Mr. A. Sagdakov, "We had several goals for Basel 99. First, we wanted to find out about the possibility of export supplies by our plant. And we can confirm that even considering the exteme density of the market, there is space for our merchandise. We did sense the interest. All we have to do now is take care of some organization matters."

Russian participation in the show has been widely discussed at all levels. Even more so, several large jewellery companies made numerous attempts to take part in the show, but without success. The event was possible thanks to the effort and hard work of the executives of the Marketing Center of the Fund "Jewellers Guild of Russia".

Since March 1999 the Marketing Cente has been working on Russia's participation in international shows and interaction with world jewellery associations.

In May 1999 an application was submitted for Russian participation in the show Basel 2000. Waiting for vacant space may take from 3 to 5 years. However, the long and complicated talks between the Center executives and the show organizers lead to the Marketing Center receiving on November 12, 1999 an official confirmation of Russia's participation in the show Basel 2000. Russia was given a right to present a national stand. This is how other show exhibitors - jewellers of Israel, India, Thailand and others gained their representation at the show.

Coming back to the magic of figures and parallels, we want to believe that this is really a good sign for the jewellery art of Russia and the country as a whole. Let's hope that Russia's debut at the show Basel 2000 will be a success.