Event organiser Gary Fitz-Roy has announced the Mystery Box Bench Jewellers Challenge.
“Talented and emerging bench jewellers will compete in a high-stakes battle for more than $5,000 in cash and prizes, with daily challenges culminating in the finals on Monday,” he told Jeweller.
“This daily competition will showcase the artistry and precision of manufacturing and repair work, proving that these essential skills are very much alive and thriving in Australia.”
Among the most interesting activities is the World Famous Diamonds presentation, which will be on show across three days.
“It is a truly unique display of some of the world’s most well-known diamonds, in perfect replica form. We will have 38 stones on display, and Scott Sucher, the master gemstone cutter and creator of the collection, will conduct a daily floor talk about the project and be available to answer visitor questions,” Fitz-Roy said.
This is the third time that the World Famous Diamonds and Sucher, who is based in the US, have been brought to Australia by Expertise Events.
“Scott is one of the most knowledgeable guys you can meet on the history of gemstone cutting and historical diamonds, and he loves chatting with people about these famous stones,” Fitz-Roy said.
In addition to these significant draw cards, the Darling Harbour event will include two new attractions, including an Interactive 3D Wall for retailers and suppliers that will leave people questioning what’s real and what’s an illusion.
Spot the Difference is expected to be another fun attraction where visitors can test their skills and eye for detail across two large jewellery images.
All retail buyers visiting the Sydney Fair can also participate in the Treasure Trail to compete for a $3,000 cash prize.
As part of the bench jeweller skills competition, the event will also recognise the importance of the tradespeople who work behind the scenes with the Benchies Wall of Fame.
Jeweller has assisted with a walled installation featuring posters of the magazine’s popular My Bench column. The Benchies Wall of Fame will include all the manufacturing jewellers featured in the monthly column since 2020.
Gerrim International recently announced plans for a $30,000 giveaway of colour gemstone jewellery as part of an anniversary celebration. Visitors will also have the chance to win a $5,000 package with Retail Edge Consultants.
As has been the case in previous years, visitors will also have the chance to snap a selfie holding a $1.3 million gold bar.
“The gold bullion has its own security guards, but it is as simple as visiting the Palloys stand at the front of the hall to get your photo,” Fitz-Roy explained.
He added that this year’s show will be one of the largest assemblies of exhibiting companies in the past 10 years.
“In addition to our local suppliers, we welcome a mix of international participants from Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong, and Dubai,” Fitz-Roy said.
“Even better, around 15 per cent of exhibitors are new, exhibiting in Australia for the first time.”
The International Jewellery Fair will run from 17-19 August at the ICC Darling Harbour. It opens at 10am daily, and retailers can enjoy free coffee in the foyer between 9am and 10am.
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