Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair closes... 10.02.2010: ....draws accolades from both exhibitors and buyers Henrik Norgaard Nielsen, a jewellery retailer from Esjberg in the south of Denmark, said the three-day visit to Antwerp had been an eye-opener. "We had

....draws accolades from both exhibitors and buyers

 Henrik Norgaard Nielsen, a jewellery retailer from Esjberg in the south of Denmark, said the three-day visit to Antwerp had been an eye-opener. "We had a chance to meet many different companies and were exposed to wide choice of diamonds, all in a very short time span. The fact that the fair's 43 participating companies presented themselves in these exclusive surroundings - the trading hall of the Antwerp Diamond Bourse - very much added to the excitement of the event," he stated.

Rod Harris of WHY Jewellers of Corfe Castle, in Dorset in southwest England, noted that the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair had offered him an "espresso experience." Explaining, he said: "In just a few sips, one gets an excellent taste of the very essence, substance and strength of the Antwerp diamond business. I have made excellent contacts, made purchases and will absolutely be back next year."

Liam Shannon, a high-end jewellery retailer from Dublin, Ireland, said the format of the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair was refreshing. He predicted there would be extensive interest for the second edition in 2011. "The show was superbly organised and as such immediately felt like an established, recurring event. I made excellent contacts with a number of exhibiting companies I had not met before. It was a great networking show."

Shannon said he had shared with the exhibitors his growing concern about internet diamond trading and jewellery e-tailing "This show enabled us to talk with suppliers, and we discussed how we can forge relationships that will help brick-and-mortar jewellery retailers retain a competitive edge in the changing consumer market," he said.

Nicholas Wainwright of Boodles of Liverpool, United Kingdom, said the show was well- timed and well-organised. "I found a lot of goods, and the exhibitors were exemplary. A buyer could not ask for more. This is a show with a future. I'll be back," he said.

Artur Beller, president of the show's organiser, the Beurs voor Diamanthandel, said he was looking forward to planning the fair's next edition. "Practically without exception, both the members of our bourse who exhibited and the jewellers who were invited as buyers expressed their satisfaction about the show. We will begin working on its sequel right away," he said.

A 25-carat, D-colour, internally flawless round-cut diamond, on exhibit by Rosy Blue company

 The Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair is owned by the Antwerp Diamond Bourse- also photos