CARAT+, Antwerp’s unique exhibition focussing on diamonds – loose, set in jewellery and services for the industry – got off to a high voltage start on May 7, 2017.  While the organisers reported brisk visitor traffic from DAY 1, the spotlight that day was on the glamorous evening event – CARAT+ Night -- where the best and the brightest of the diamond industry had gathered together.

The highlight of the evening itself was the red carpet entry of Caterina Murino, star of the 2006 James Bond film, Casino Royale, and a member of the exclusive Bond Girls club.

“Inside the Antwerp Expo, guests swayed to the sound of saxophones, while a group of artists put the finishing touches to a giant mural, which was split up and distributed at the end of the evening,” the organisers said, describing another unique feature of the evening.

On Monday, May 8, a seminar was held at which world-renowned expert on jewellery trends, Paola De Luca, presented the keynote speech on “Future of Diamonds: How Social Changes and the New Consumers are Impacting the Diamond Sector”.

As the trade fair draws towards a close today, the first edition of CARAT+ seems to have confirmed that it is an idea whose time has arrived.

“The group of companies exhibiting at CARAT+ are an exceedingly diverse and colourful community, representing eight countries, major corporations as well as boutique and niche firms, high-end branded jewellery, mass produced jewellery, loose polished diamonds, loose rough diamonds, and a range of diamond and diamond jewellery-related services,” the organisers had elaborated in a newsletter.

India was one of the countries participating and The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) had organised an India Pavilion with the participation of five companies:  Arihant Star; Core Jewellery Pvt. Ltd.; Janam Corporation Pvt. Ltd.; P. Hirani; and Veer Gems. The Indian companies had on display an array of elegantly designed and exquisitely crafted high-end diamond jewellery which was much appreciated at the show.