The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show has kicked off this year, scheduled between 4-8 March. This is the 25th edition which is hosting 2,306 exhibitors from from 45 countries and regions – a new fair record. It is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. %% The fair stood out this year by the sheer scale of its participation. This year saw around 4,200 first time visitors including key buying representatives from leading retail and manufacturing companies like Goldmark Jewellers, Australia; French company Synalia and Galeries Lafayette; German-based QVC Handel; Italy's Songa Antonio; Japan's Tsutsumi and Ponte Vecchio; Suarez Joyeria and Carrera y Carrera of Spain; Switzerland's Bucherer and Juwelier Kurz; US-based Tiffany and Ben Bridge; and the UK's Goldsmiths. New buyers from emerging markets included Russia's Jewelux; Saudi Arabia's Al Farsi; South Africa's Efune and more. At the fair’s opening ceremony , Charles Chan, Chairman of the TDC's Jewellery Advisory Committee mentioned that this year’s event was significant of being the silver jubilee of the show as well as of the growing importance of Hong Kong as a world diamond trading centre. %% The event has been organised by many new attractions like 22 pavilions including country pavilions for the Chinese mainland, Dubai, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the US , along with pavilions for international associations including the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, the International Coloured Gemstone Association, the Israel Diamond Institute, and the Platinum Guild International, as well as the Japan Pearl Exporters' Association, Japan Jewellery Association, Japan Jewellery Designers Association and Japan Yamanashi Crystal Jewelry Association. The jewellery showcase section would be in seven zones; Treasures of Nature, Le Salon Extraordinaire, Les Salons Privs for business discussions, the Watch and Clock Pavilion, Designer Jewellery Galleria, Antique and Vintage Jewellery and Jade Jewellery. %% Also, there would be five sessions of seminars with discussions focused on jewellery design and inspiration, the latest treatments for rubies, sapphires and pearls, gold style trends and opportunities in the Middle East jewellery market. The scheduled auctions will include the Paspaley Pearl Auction, the Alrosa Diamond Auction, the Robert Wan Tahiti Pearl Auction. Winning designs of the 9th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition, the Chuk Kam Jewellery Design Competition 2008 and the JJA Jewellery Design Awards 2007 will be exhibited.