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History of Facets


Held annually in Colombo since 1991, Facets Sri Lanka made an exciting new beginning in September 2005 when the show moved to a smart new venue, the BMICH Exhibition and Convention Centre in Colombo. Exhibitors increased by more than 50 percent and the show took on a whole new professional and international atmosphere, with smart new booths displaying a greater variety of fine gemstones and exquisite jewellery.

Facets Sri Lanka 2012 promises to be even bigger and better. Exhibitor numbers are expected to grow by a further 30 percent and the Fair will showcase a wide variety of sapphires and gemstones from producers and wholesalers from all the main producing areas of Sri Lanka.

To give the show an international flavour, producers and wholesalers from the main gemstone producing countries in Africa, Asia, South America and Australia are being invited to exhibit their gemstone products at the show.

FACETS 1991 was the first International Exhibition of Gems and Jewellery held in Sri Lanka. It was held at Hilton Colombo from September 9 th -12 th in 1991. There were to begin with 50 stalls which displayed for the first time in Sri Lanka a rare collection of precious stones owned by the Gem Traders of Sri Lanka.

The exhibition created an awareness in the country among the Gem Merchants, the importance of holding an Annual Exhibition of this nature. The exhibition also created an opportunity for all Gem Traders to display their collections and market them. This effort was pioneered by the Sri Lanka Gem Traders Association.

FACETS 1992 was held at Hilton Colombo from August 3rd to 6th 1992. The interest created by Facets 1991 was evident in 1992 as there were more stalls, more participants and more people attending the exhibition.

FACETS 1993 was held at the Hilton Colombo from August 28th to 31st. The exhibition drew the attention of foreign buyers and the International recognition of the event, by being included in the calendar of International Exhibitions. Foreigners took an active interest in the event and more International Buyers visited the exhibition. They were highly impressed by the stunning display of a vast variety of quality Gems.

FACETS 1994 was held at the Galadari Hotel from 10th to 13th September. The exhibition now became a talking point in the Gem circuit the world over. Local gem traders rallied round the exhibition and got interested in International Trading of Gems. More foreign participation gave the exhibition an International flavour.

FACETS 1995 was held at the Hiiton Colombo from 9th to 12th September. The Show organisers decided to limit the total booth space to 60, as many foreign dealers indicated that keeping to the adage "Small is Beautiful" suited the requirements of the Industry.

FACETS 1996 The Organisers decided to have four International personalities in the Gem Trade to declare open the exhibition each day. Facets '96 which was held from September 9th -12th at the Hiiton Colombo had the following leading dealers to grace the occasion each day. They were:-

  • Mr. Paoio Valentini - President, International Colored Gemstone Association ( ICA)
  • Mr. G. Torroni - President, G. Torroni S.A., Switzerland
  • Mr. Fred Mouawad, Vice President, Mouawad, Geneva
  • Mr. Simon J. Watt, Vice President, American Gem Trade Association (AGTA)
Apart from the usual Foreign Exhibitors from Hong Kong and Australia, two new foreign participants from Tanzania viz. Tanzanian Mineral Dealers Association and Vietnam viz. Vietnam National Gem and Gold Corporation (Vigeco) participated at Facets.

FACETS 1997 was held from August 25th -28th that year and had the following International Personalities to declare open Facets. Mr. Dhanna Senanayake of H. Sena (Pte) Ltd -Singapore, Mr. Hitoshi Mori of K. Mikimoto & Co. Ltd, Japan, Ms. Cynthia Marcusson of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) and.Mr Dr Gaetano Cavaeieri, President, Italian Gem & Jewellery Association. The buyer turnout increased over the years and brought an inflow of representatives from around 26 countries.

FACETS 1998 was held from September 5th - 8th at the Hiiton Colombo with the following personalities gracing the occasion each day. Ms. Nanette Forester, President, American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), Mr. Yukihiro Kuwayama, President, Kuwayama Corporation, Japan. Mr. Emmanuel Piat of Danial H. Piat & Company, France and Mr. Jeffrey Bilgore of Oscar Heyman & Brothers Inc., U.S.A. The presence of these distinguished names in the industry was a morale boost to the Gem and Jewellery Industry of Sri Lanka.

FACETS 1999 was held from September 13 - 16th at the Hiiton Colombo with the following as Chief Guest each day. Mr. Eric Braunwart, Vice President, American Gem Trade Association, Mr. Nilam Alawdeen, President, N. Alawdeen Ltd., Japan, Mr. Israel Z. Eliezri, President, International Colored Gemstone Association, Mrs. Edith Wimalaratne, President, Universal Gems (Pte) Ltd., Australia. Facets had now become a must - attend event in the Calendar of Gem and Jewellery Shows and in the words of Mr. Nilam Alawdeen, one of the Chief Guests, "Before, people used to ask 'what is Facets?', now they ask 'when is Facets? 1. Come September and Global attention is towards Facets.

FACETS 2OOO was held from llth -13th September with two personalities Mr. Joe Menzie, Vice President, Inter Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) and Mr. M. S. F . Haqque, President -Haqmil Trading Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, as Chief Guest, and Guest of Honour respectively on opening day. The presence of leading dealers that visit Facets each year was a welcome blessing to the Gem and Jewellery Dealers in Sri Lanka.

FACETS 2001 was held from 3rd -5th September at the Hiiton Colombo with Mr. Richard Greenwood President of the International Colored Gemstone Association U.S.A. as the Chief Guest. The holding of this event in the aftermath of the June 24th tragedy at the Katunayake Airport was due to a courageous stand taken by the Organising Committee, despite the adverse reports on Sri Lanka in the International Media.

Facets 2001 turned out to be the only International Event held in Sri Lanka in the last half of the year. Sri Lanka Tourist Board and Sri Lankan Airlines backed the Organisers by providing special facilities for incoming visitors. Facets also dispelled many doubts among the International Media about the security situation in the Country. The climate of normalcy created within a short period brightened the hopes of the International buyers who visited Sri Lanka.

FACETS 2002 was held at the Colombo Hilton from September 9-11, 2002. The show gained greater importance due to peace prevailing in the country.

Local gem and jewellery traders have evinced greater interest this year and this is evident by the largest number of stalls being sold to them. To be exact 65 stalls were exhibited a rare collection of gems which is a record in the history of FACETS.

The most significant feature of the event was the visit of a large contingent of International buyers who attended the exhibition. They came from America, Australia, Britain, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

FACETS 2003 was held at Hilton Colombo from September 8-10, The ongoing peace process has injected new life to the Exhibition. There has been an unprecedented demand for stalls this year as such the maximum capacity of the venue is utilized to accommodate 75 stalls, an all time record in the Facets history.

This year saw a growing interest among foreign buyers to attend the exhibition. The buyers attended the exhibition from countries like America, Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan. Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan , Thailand, Hong Kong,

FACETS 2004 was held at the Colombo Hilton from September 9-11,2002.

Local gem and jewellery traders have evinced greater interest this year and this is evident by the largest number of stalls being sold to them. To be exact 65 stalls were exhibited a rare collection of gems which is a record in the history of FACETS.

The most significant feature of the event in additional to the full capacity of stalls, was that the venue could no longer support the growing need of the show.

FACETS 2005 was held at the BMICH Exhibition & Convention Centre from the 31st of August to 3rd September, 2005. approximately 150 booths were on show.

FACETS 2006 was held at the BMICH Exhibition & Convention Centre from the 31st of August to 3rd September, 2005. approximately 160 booths were on show.

Facets Sri Lanka 2007 - August 30th to 2nd September held at the BMICH Exhibition & Convention Centre.
  • Chief Guest - Mr. Edward E. Boehm
  • Geologist, G.G., e.G
  • President - JOEB Enterprises
  • Vice President - ICA
Facets Sri Lanka 2008- 6th to the 9th September held at the BMICH Exhibition & Convention Centre.
  • Chief Guest - Hon.Sarth Amunugama
  • Minister of Enterprise Development & Investment Promotions
  • Ministry of Enterprise Development & Investment Promotions

6th to the 9th September held at the BMICH Exhibition & Convention Centre.
Chief Guest - Hon.Sarth Amunugama

Minister of Enterprise Development & Investment Promotions Ministry of Enterprise Development & Investment Promotions

Facets Sri Lanka 2009 - 3th to the 8th September held at the BMICH Exhibition & Convention Centre.
Facets Sri Lanka 2010 - 2nd to the 7th September held at the BMICH Exhibition & Convention Centre.

on this occasion the chief guest was Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa (Minister of Environment) And guest of honers were Ms. Nina Dmitrievskaya H.E. Mr. Qin Guangrong (Governor of Yunan Province) Mr. Wilson Yuen  (ICA President) Hon. Faiszer Mustapha (Deputy Minister of Environment) Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce)

Facets Sri Lanka 2011 - was a astounding succsess, buyers deligations from around the world partisipated.

2011 at the BMICH Exhibition & Convention Center was a astounding succsess, buyers deligations from around the world participated giving glamour and elegance. On this occasion the chief guest was Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa (Minister of Environment) And guest of honers were Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce) Hon. Abdul Cardar (Deputy Minister)

 
 
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