Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show Draws 96,000 Visitors as UAE Unveils First Locally Sourced Gemstone

More than 96,000 visitors attended the 57th Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show (WJMES) in Sharjah, marking a 6% increase over the previous edition and reinforcing the event's position as one of the region's leading jewellery exhibitions.

Organised by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the five-day exhibition brought together 400 exhibitors from 19 countries across a 30,000-square-metre venue. Participants showcased the latest collections in gold, diamonds, gemstones, luxury jewellery and watches, alongside innovations in laboratory-grown diamonds, precious metals, jewellery manufacturing and packaging technologies.

International participation featured exhibitors from China, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States, in addition to representatives from eight Arab countries. Dedicated pavilions represented Italy, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.

One of the exhibition's most significant announcements was the launch of "Spirit of the Emirates," the UAE's first locally sourced gemstone. Developed by the Emirati Goldsmiths Platform in partnership with the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation, the gemstone is crafted from natural red jasper extracted from the Al Siji region of Fujairah, marking a milestone in the development of the country's jewellery industry.

The launch reflects the platform's efforts to strengthen the UAE's jewellery value chain and encourage the use of local resources in luxury jewellery production. The platform recorded its strongest participation to date, featuring 20 Emirati designers, including seven women making their exhibition debut, as well as creative contributions from people of determination.

Designers showcased collections that blended Emirati heritage with contemporary aesthetics, presenting gold jewellery adorned with diamonds and precious stones alongside creations inspired by local culture, architecture and nature. The exhibition also highlighted the growth of the domestic jewellery ecosystem, with some participants expanding into gemstone sourcing and supply-chain activities. Notably, one member has become the first Emirati gemstone supplier, sourcing authentic stones from international mines and museums to support local designers.

Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, described the launch of the first Emirati gemstone as a strategic development that strengthens the country's jewellery value chain and enhances the competitiveness of the UAE's gold and jewellery sector. Mona Al Suwaidi, Director of the Executive Office of SCCI's Chairman and the official overseeing the Emirati Goldsmiths Platform, said the initiative demonstrates the platform's evolution from supporting designers and sales activities into a broader entrepreneurship-driven ecosystem encompassing sourcing, procurement and supply-chain development.

Among the highlights were two signature creations by Emirati designer Fatima Al Muhairi, recognised as the first internationally accredited young Emirati specialist in gemology. Crafted from Emirati jasper, the first piece, "Spirit of the Emirates," tells the story of the gemstone's journey from Fujairah's geological resources to a finished luxury jewellery product. The second, "Erth" (Heritage), is a camel-head brooch combining jasper from Fujairah with a pearl from Ras Al Khaimah, symbolising the link between the UAE's pearl-diving heritage and its emerging gemstone industry.

The natural red jasper features a hardness of 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale and a waxy-to-glassy lustre, making it suitable for premium jewellery applications and enhancing the appeal of UAE-made luxury jewellery in regional and international markets.

Another major attraction at this year's show was a gold dress valued at AED 5 million, created by Al Romaizan Gold & Jewellery. Made from more than 10 kilograms of 21-carat gold, the dress holds the Guinness World Record as the world's most expensive gold dress and was displayed publicly for the first time.

Exhibitors also offered a variety of promotions, including VAT absorption on selected products, discounts of up to 75% on diamond jewellery and reduced manufacturing charges on gold ornaments, contributing to strong visitor engagement throughout the event.