Baltic Jewellery News (March 2014) No. 26

FASTEST WAY TO THE BALTIC SEA REGION!

E XC L U S I V E M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E J E W E L L E R Y B U S I N E S S I N T H E B A LT I C S E A R E G I O N

March 2014 (26)

Dear Readers,

Changes that happened in 2013 and in the beginning of

2014 are promising a brighter future for jewellery business.

Let me go through some of these changes. A new team

has come to Kaliningrad Amber Combine with new ideas

and passion, and hopefully jewellers will not have to deal

with amber shortage issues in the near future. This is dis-

cussed in an interview with people who will bring fresh air

to amber industry. Kaliningrad Region RF Jewellery Report

has more details on the subject. Overall gold and silver de-

mand is increasing, and jewellery industry in Europe is get-

ting back on its feet. This growth manifested itself with the

new and big jewellery fair in April in Freiburg, Germany.

Introduction of the new fair by the well-known jewellery

fair organiser UBM Asia is a good sign for jewellery indus-

try in Europe. Furthermore, after the successful tenth an-

niversary Baltic Jewellery Show “Amber Trip“ is heading for

the second decade with more exhibitors and VIP buyers. In

his interview Giedrius Guntorius reveals expectations and

plans for the second decade. China’s economy is continu-

ously growing together with the growth of the middle-

class population with a big demand for amber jewellery

and other jewellery items. Vivian Yang kindly agreed to give

us her insights into jewellery demand in China and shared

her amber industry experience with us.

I extend my heartiest thanks to my predecessor Editor-in-

Chief Angele Juodzeviciene, whose work well done made

it easier for me to enter this new role. Most importantly I

thank all the contributors, who agreed to be interviewed by

us. Without you this issue would not have such a variety of

topics and interesting insights. Baltic Jewellery News is also

very grateful to all the sponsors and of course the readers

for their positive feedback.

Enjoy the issue!

Odilija GUNTORIUTE

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94

March 2014 (26)

CONTENT:

Topicalities4 Amber producers – to the Governor: give us raw material

and we will revive the amber industry

7 The volumes of illegal extraction of amber decreased by

almost a third in a year in the Kaliningrad Region

Kaliningrad Region RF Jewellery Report8 Mikhail Zatsepin – “We want to return Amber brand to

Russia”

Polish Jewellery Report16 Amberif 2014, the 21st international Fair of Amber, Jewellery

and Gemstones

19 Gold Silver Time – Made to Measure

24 Jewellery which uncovers the secrets of the past

26 Due to the Fascination with Amber...

Lithuanian Jewellery Report 32 Amber Trip is entering the second decade

36 AAfter 20 years of experience in the amber jewellery

business Aleksas Mazukna decided to bring some fresh air

38 Jewellery business trends in Lithuania

Latvian Jewellery Report 44 Amber in contemporary art jewellery

50

Estonian Jewellery Report 51 Alberto Martini – Conquering Baltic States

German Jewellery Report 54 Gemworld Munich – Towards the end, Autumn shows its

golden face

58 Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe meets the industry’s demands

Danish Jewellery Report 60 The Midnight Tiara

Swedish Jewellery Report62 The Nobel Jewellery Prize 2013

64 Precious, the leading watch and jewellery fair in the Nordic

region

Finnish Jewellery Report 66 Jewellery connecting environment with people

Norwegian Jewellery Report68

Chinese Jewellery Report72 Chinas’ hunger for Amber – how long will it last?

10

33

94

March 2014 (26)

CONTENT:

Topicalities4 Amber producers – to the Governor: give us raw material

and we will revive the amber industry

7 The volumes of illegal extraction of amber decreased by

almost a third in a year in the Kaliningrad Region

Kaliningrad Region RF Jewellery Report8 Mikhail Zatsepin – “We want to return Amber brand to

Russia”

Polish Jewellery Report16 Amberif 2014, the 21st international Fair of Amber, Jewellery

and Gemstones

19 Gold Silver Time – Made to Measure

24 Jewellery which uncovers the secrets of the past

26 Due to the Fascination with Amber...

Lithuanian Jewellery Report 32 Amber Trip is entering the second decade

36 AAfter 20 years of experience in the amber jewellery

business Aleksas Mazukna decided to bring some fresh air

38 Jewellery business trends in Lithuania

Latvian Jewellery Report 44 Amber in contemporary art jewellery

50

Estonian Jewellery Report 51 Alberto Martini – Conquering Baltic States

German Jewellery Report 54 Gemworld Munich – Towards the end, Autumn shows its

golden face

58 Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe meets the industry’s demands

Danish Jewellery Report 60 The Midnight Tiara

Swedish Jewellery Report62 The Nobel Jewellery Prize 2013

64 Precious, the leading watch and jewellery fair in the Nordic

region

Finnish Jewellery Report 66 Jewellery connecting environment with people

Norwegian Jewellery Report68

Chinese Jewellery Report72 Chinas’ hunger for Amber – how long will it last?

Baltic Jewellery News/ March 2014 (26) Ausros Vartu str. 15–5, LT-01129, Vilnius, Lithuania Tel.: +370 5 2120823; fax: +370 5 2608497; E-mail.: [email protected] Editor-in-chief/ODILIJA GUNTORIUTE /+370 5 2120823;

E-mail: [email protected]

Designer/DANA SMITIENE/ Translator/VERTIMU GURU/ CIRCULATION 4000

Reporter: Lithuania: O. Guntoriute/ [email protected]; V. Zygiene/ [email protected]; Poland: A. Sado/ [email protected]; Denmark: Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen/ [email protected]; Sweden: Åsa Dahlqvist/ [email protected]; Sanna Svedestedt & Karin Roy Andersson/ [email protected]; Technology: Elena Aiello/ [email protected]; Jewellery as a statement: AJF Members/ [email protected];

98

Distribution in the whole Baltic Sea Region Population over 80 million Copyright: Contents of “Baltic Jewellery News” are copyright. ISSN 2335-2132 Reproduction of material in part or in whole is no permitted in any form without the written authorization of the publisher. The editorial office is not responsible for the content of advertisements and for the accuracy of the facts presented by the authors.

We invite all those whose interests are related to our goals to join our project. Only with the help of various discussions perspective of the jewellery business of the region can become clear and the magazine – better. Thank you for the cooperation!

103

Ukrainian Jewellery Report77 Abundance of bright events at the Jeweller Expo Ukraine

2013 international exhibition

78 Prospects for the Ukrainian legal market of Amber

St. Petersburg Jewellery Report81 JUNWEX – jewellery celebration in St. Petersburg

Worldwide Report82

83 The worldwide price for Raw Amber

84 The worldwide price for Amber Silver 925 Jewellery

85 The worldwide Gold price

86 Istanbul Jewelry Show March – The Largest March Edition

To Date

88 Presenting International Amber Association

Technology92 RIACETECH. Listening and paying attention to details

Personality94 With Amber for almost half a century!

Jewellery as a Statement98 Dr. Madeleine Albright will take your questions

Jewellery Crime102 The “Amber room”, worth a billion roubles, found in

Kaliningrad region

Other103 LoveGold – created to inspire,

104 Major Jewellery Trade Fairs

105 Caricature. Silk Road – Amber Trip

106 Advertisement in “Baltic Jewellery News“

107 Subscription Form

108 Application Form for XI International Baltic Jewellery Show

“Amber Trip”

4

www.balticjewellerynews.com

The amber producers are still complaining about

the lack of amber raw material. On 25 December,

Wednesday, at the meeting that was organized

by the Governor of the region in the Amber Combine,

Vasilij Simonov, the chairperson of Kaliningrad Regional

Non-Governmental Organisation of Businessmen Amber

Union, stated that the most important factor for the de-

of raw material.

Local government repeatedly asserted that amber ob-

tained in Kaliningrad region must be processed by local

amber producers. However, the businessmen said that

of raw amber from the Amber factory.

“Many fake businessmen appeared and they buy am-

ber not for processing purposes, but sale”, – stated Mr.

-

ducers sell amber for the amount of millions in Poland,

Lithuania, China, while the ones with up to 60 producers

get only ten kilograms of amber?”

According to customs data, 18 t of raw amber have

been exported from the region from the beginning of the

year, while amber output was 500 kg only.

“Places in the list of purchasers are being sold in the

combine. Raw amber is being sold for those, who does

not need it, and then to others for higher amounts of

money”, – stated Mr. Simonov.

In turn, Michail Zacepin, the acting director general of

the combine, noted that the data presented by producers

“The supply procedure is going on in accordance

with the plan. We restricted the supply in the last month,

because a lot of re-sellers have appeared, – said Michail

Zacepin. – When we noticed that some businessmen buy

amber for processing, and some of them – for selling pur-

all companies, we reviewed the numbers of employees,

who are working therein, and the equipment used for

processing, and currently the process of amber sale de-

pends on their capacities of production”.

“The result is evident. If you compare the conferences

of the previous year and of the current year, they totally

differ”, – said the Governor Nikolaj Cukanov. At that time

the issues of illegal mining have arose, the present-day

issues differ absolutely. The work is going on further, re-

quirements are being followed, virtually, all orders are be-

According to him, the volumes of amber processing in

the region increased by 30%.

“We have to do what the producers were talking

about today – to bring order within. When 18 tonnes

are being transported in “pockets” to Russia, and sub-

sequently to China, order must be brought. We have to

supply our producers with raw amber as much as they are

capable of processing, instead of selling”, – emphasized

the Governor.

Kaliningrad Amber Combine is the only company in

the world engaged in industrial mining of amber.

Amber mining takes place on the coast of the Baltic

Sea. According to experts’ data, 90% of “sunstone” re-

serves in the world are located near the Yantarny village.

The company was established in 1947. Currently the

combine belongs to the state corporation Rostech.

AMBER PRODUCERS – TO THE GOVERNOR: give us raw material and we will revive the amber industry

By Klops.ru

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The amber producers are still complaining about

the lack of amber raw material. On 25 December,

Wednesday, at the meeting that was organized

by the Governor of the region in the Amber Combine,

Vasilij Simonov, the chairperson of Kaliningrad Regional

Non-Governmental Organisation of Businessmen Amber

Union, stated that the most important factor for the de-

of raw material.

Local government repeatedly asserted that amber ob-

tained in Kaliningrad region must be processed by local

amber producers. However, the businessmen said that

of raw amber from the Amber factory.

“Many fake businessmen appeared and they buy am-

ber not for processing purposes, but sale”, – stated Mr.

-

ducers sell amber for the amount of millions in Poland,

Lithuania, China, while the ones with up to 60 producers

get only ten kilograms of amber?”

According to customs data, 18 t of raw amber have

been exported from the region from the beginning of the

year, while amber output was 500 kg only.

“Places in the list of purchasers are being sold in the

combine. Raw amber is being sold for those, who does

not need it, and then to others for higher amounts of

money”, – stated Mr. Simonov.

In turn, Michail Zacepin, the acting director general of

the combine, noted that the data presented by producers

“The supply procedure is going on in accordance

with the plan. We restricted the supply in the last month,

because a lot of re-sellers have appeared, – said Michail

Zacepin. – When we noticed that some businessmen buy

amber for processing, and some of them – for selling pur-

all companies, we reviewed the numbers of employees,

who are working therein, and the equipment used for

processing, and currently the process of amber sale de-

pends on their capacities of production”.

“The result is evident. If you compare the conferences

of the previous year and of the current year, they totally

differ”, – said the Governor Nikolaj Cukanov. At that time

the issues of illegal mining have arose, the present-day

issues differ absolutely. The work is going on further, re-

quirements are being followed, virtually, all orders are be-

According to him, the volumes of amber processing in

the region increased by 30%.

“We have to do what the producers were talking

about today – to bring order within. When 18 tonnes

are being transported in “pockets” to Russia, and sub-

sequently to China, order must be brought. We have to

supply our producers with raw amber as much as they are

capable of processing, instead of selling”, – emphasized

the Governor.

Kaliningrad Amber Combine is the only company in

the world engaged in industrial mining of amber.

Amber mining takes place on the coast of the Baltic

Sea. According to experts’ data, 90% of “sunstone” re-

serves in the world are located near the Yantarny village.

The company was established in 1947. Currently the

combine belongs to the state corporation Rostech.

AMBER PRODUCERS – TO THE GOVERNOR: give us raw material and we will revive the amber industry

By Klops.ru

TOPI

CA

LITI

ES

THE VOLUMES OF ILLEGALExtraction of Amber Decreased by Almost a Third in a Year in the Kaliningrad Region

Report by Federal Official Institution The State Assay Chamber of Russia At the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation

This year the law enforcement bodies have notably

enhanced the struggle against the illegal extrac-

tion of the sun's stone. In result, the level of illegal

amber extraction has reduced almost in 30% in a year.

This estimation has been provided by Nikolai Tsukanov,

Governor of the Kaliningrad Region.

According to the press service of the regional gov-

ernment, Nicholas Cukanov has also indicated that the

measures to decriminalize the industry that have been

adopted this year have been effective. The amendments

of the KoAP (Code of Administrative Offences) that were

introduced in February created the opportunity not only

tools of extraction, for example, expensive pumps.

The governor indicated that the main event of the year

customs clearance of amber. Since July of this year, am-

ber dealers have been released from the time and money

consuming obligation to formalise examination and cer-

products from amber and precious metals through the

customs. Under the conditions of the experiment, the cus-

toms control is carried out on the basis of usual business

practice documents.

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Mikhail Zatsepin, Acting Director General of Kaliningrad Amber Combine

Last summer’s appointment of new management

for Kaliningrad Amber Combine – the world's

only company engaged in the commercial produc-

throughout the amber industry. Drastic changes have

redounded upon policy of "sun stone" sales both with

regard to domestic and foreign manufacturers of amber

products. Much attention has been paid to the position-

ing of the Kaliningrad Region as a centre of global mining

and processing amber industry. The region took on cre-

ating new jobs and new businesses producing jewellery,

souvenirs, and other articles of “sun stone.” Management

of the Amber Combine is seriously determined to return

amber brand to Russia. Of course, these changes have af-

fected the global market.

You will learn about how things are going in the am-

ber industry, what has changed in the enterprise as a re-

sult of the change of management, and what the industry

should expect in the near future, from the interview with

Mikhail Zatsepin, Acting Director General of Kaliningrad

Amber Combine.

Mikhail Ivanovich, you became the head of

Amber Combine in August last year. What changes

have occurred in the company in relation with the

change of management?

The Amber Combine has more than changed its

manager, it changed the owner. Ministry of Finance

has transferred the company to the State Corporation

“Rostekhnologii”. This Russian corporation comprises

many unique production units and technologies, a major

is a reliable partner of the state for innovative industry

development. This has become the base point for upgrad-

ing the unique amber extraction company and, thus, the

entire amber industry. First and foremost, the emphasis

was the technical re-equipment of the Amber Combine.

Scientists of the largest research institutes have explored

the possibilities of old equipment and developed new

and quality of amber extraction. Soon, we will introduce

them into practice.

Do you mean that existing amber production

technologies of the enterprise impair the quality of

the raw amber extracted?

MIKHAIL ZATSEPIN –“WE WANT TO RETURN AMBER BRAND TO RUSSIA”

Interview of Odilija GUNTORIUTE with Mikhail ZATSEPIN.

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Mikhail Zatsepin, Acting Director General of Kaliningrad Amber Combine

Last summer’s appointment of new management

for Kaliningrad Amber Combine – the world's

only company engaged in the commercial produc-

throughout the amber industry. Drastic changes have

redounded upon policy of "sun stone" sales both with

regard to domestic and foreign manufacturers of amber

products. Much attention has been paid to the position-

ing of the Kaliningrad Region as a centre of global mining

and processing amber industry. The region took on cre-

ating new jobs and new businesses producing jewellery,

souvenirs, and other articles of “sun stone.” Management

of the Amber Combine is seriously determined to return

amber brand to Russia. Of course, these changes have af-

fected the global market.

You will learn about how things are going in the am-

ber industry, what has changed in the enterprise as a re-

sult of the change of management, and what the industry

should expect in the near future, from the interview with

Mikhail Zatsepin, Acting Director General of Kaliningrad

Amber Combine.

Mikhail Ivanovich, you became the head of

Amber Combine in August last year. What changes

have occurred in the company in relation with the

change of management?

The Amber Combine has more than changed its

manager, it changed the owner. Ministry of Finance

has transferred the company to the State Corporation

“Rostekhnologii”. This Russian corporation comprises

many unique production units and technologies, a major

is a reliable partner of the state for innovative industry

development. This has become the base point for upgrad-

ing the unique amber extraction company and, thus, the

entire amber industry. First and foremost, the emphasis

was the technical re-equipment of the Amber Combine.

Scientists of the largest research institutes have explored

the possibilities of old equipment and developed new

and quality of amber extraction. Soon, we will introduce

them into practice.

Do you mean that existing amber production

technologies of the enterprise impair the quality of

the raw amber extracted?

MIKHAIL ZATSEPIN –“WE WANT TO RETURN AMBER BRAND TO RUSSIA”

Interview of Odilija GUNTORIUTE with Mikhail ZATSEPIN.

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At that date, when this equipment was introduced,

it was considered the advanced technology. However,

decades passed by, and the equipment was not updat-

ed. Today, we are faced with the fact that a large part of

amber is crushed during the mining process; many large

rocks split and develop cracks. Therefore, a full stone loses

its initial form. We seek to maximally preserve the origi-

nal appearance of amber, so that it, after passing through

all stages of production, could fall in hands of a crafts-

man in condition it had rested in the earth. I believe the

latest technology is capable to deal successfully with the

task – to preserve unique samples of amber and to protect

the fragile “solar stone” against adverse effects of rough

machinery.

Today, there are many opinions on the new pol-

icy of the Amber Combine. Tell us how are the com-

pany’s activities organised now?

Today, we mainly focus on selling amber to local

processers. Former long-lasting schemes inhibited the

Kaliningrad processers from buying the raw amber di-

rectly from the plant. They were forced to use various

schemes, including illegal, so that to get amber for work.

This was quite a paradox: local producers, who lived just

in the area, with all the world reserves of the "solar stone"

concentrated, did not have any opportunity to buy raw

materials and create amber products. Today, some of

them have managed to survive and overcome this stage;

others start from scratch. But it became possible now for

the local producers to apply to the plant for purchasing

amber and buying raw materials at cost. At the moment,

it is one of the key changes in the enterprise. Of course,

the company has much to modernize and improve in this

area yet, nevertheless, I may safely say that Kaliningrad

producers will be supplied with the raw material on a pri-

ority basis.

That is, priority is given to local producers? And

what about Lithuanian, Polish processers from oth-

er countries who are also engaged in production

of jewellery, souvenirs, and other articles using

Kaliningrad amber?

We see the solution of this problem in the establish-

ment of joint ventures. Foreign manufacturers found en-

terprises in the Kaliningrad Region together with partners

from Russia; they are provided with the required amount

of raw materials for production, and start easy operations.

In other industries, this practice has excellently proved it-

participation in the amber industry as well.

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What is the interest of foreign producers and

how might processers, whose plants are located in

the territory of the Kaliningrad Region, react?

First of all, foreign processers, starting up their busi-

nesses in our territory, would receive raw materials for op-

erations. Another advantage is a tax optimization. Foreign

manufacturers will be able to expand the sales area, to sell

amber goods in the territory of Russia. Local processers will

take advantage of expanding their production units, creat-

ing new jobs, sharing experiences. No surprise that joint

ventures tend to attract new technologies, additional ma-

increase in tax revenues in the region and the country itself.

What is the purpose of these activities?

We realise the fact that amber is considered a heritage

not only of the Kaliningrad Region, but the neighbouring

Baltic countries, including Poland and Lithuania, as well.

Yet, according to experts, about 90 percent of the world's

amber is deposited in Russia, namely, in the Kaliningrad

Region, and we are proud of it. It so happened that, until

recently, while running the world's only company in the

commercial production of the “solar stone,” our region

failed to develop amber processing practices to the desira-

ble extent. It had various reasons, and let it pass now. Our

today’s task – setting up new businesses by local produc-

ers in the Kaliningrad Region, attraction of jewellers and

artists who would design exclusive jewellery and items of

amber, by praising this unique stone.

But the Kaliningrad Region is anyway named

“the land of amber” today.

The bottom line is that we want to return amber brand

to Russia. I suppose that being known as “the land of am-

ber” is not enough just because we possess the unique de-

posit. It should be proved out the way we use these gener-

ous gifts of nature. After all, amber is unique indeed. And

every visitor to the Kaliningrad Region should satisfy himself

with this, admire the beauty, grandeur, and extraordinary

properties of amber. Meanwhile, local residents should be

proud of living in the “the land of amber”.

Should there be any changes in the policy with

neighbouring countries who’ve been regarding am-

ber a pride and a national treasure since long ago?

I know that amber is called the “Baltic gold” in Lithuania

and Poland – it is considered there a holy stone, praised in

every way and used to create truly exclusive articles. We

actually have much to learn from our nearest neighbours.

And we largely have to master the route that you have

already travelled through. But we hope that this “amber

Amber deposits in a layer of blue clay, the depth of "solar stone" depositing in the Amber Combine's seaside quarry is about 50 meters

The Combine's seaside quarry, this is where amber is mined on industrial scale

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Amber processing at a subsidiary plant JSC “Amber Yuvelirprom”

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What is the interest of foreign producers and

how might processers, whose plants are located in

the territory of the Kaliningrad Region, react?

First of all, foreign processers, starting up their busi-

nesses in our territory, would receive raw materials for op-

erations. Another advantage is a tax optimization. Foreign

manufacturers will be able to expand the sales area, to sell

amber goods in the territory of Russia. Local processers will

take advantage of expanding their production units, creat-

ing new jobs, sharing experiences. No surprise that joint

ventures tend to attract new technologies, additional ma-

increase in tax revenues in the region and the country itself.

What is the purpose of these activities?

We realise the fact that amber is considered a heritage

not only of the Kaliningrad Region, but the neighbouring

Baltic countries, including Poland and Lithuania, as well.

Yet, according to experts, about 90 percent of the world's

amber is deposited in Russia, namely, in the Kaliningrad

Region, and we are proud of it. It so happened that, until

recently, while running the world's only company in the

commercial production of the “solar stone,” our region

failed to develop amber processing practices to the desira-

ble extent. It had various reasons, and let it pass now. Our

today’s task – setting up new businesses by local produc-

ers in the Kaliningrad Region, attraction of jewellers and

artists who would design exclusive jewellery and items of

amber, by praising this unique stone.

But the Kaliningrad Region is anyway named

“the land of amber” today.

The bottom line is that we want to return amber brand

to Russia. I suppose that being known as “the land of am-

ber” is not enough just because we possess the unique de-

posit. It should be proved out the way we use these gener-

ous gifts of nature. After all, amber is unique indeed. And

every visitor to the Kaliningrad Region should satisfy himself

with this, admire the beauty, grandeur, and extraordinary

properties of amber. Meanwhile, local residents should be

proud of living in the “the land of amber”.

Should there be any changes in the policy with

neighbouring countries who’ve been regarding am-

ber a pride and a national treasure since long ago?

I know that amber is called the “Baltic gold” in Lithuania

and Poland – it is considered there a holy stone, praised in

every way and used to create truly exclusive articles. We

actually have much to learn from our nearest neighbours.

And we largely have to master the route that you have

already travelled through. But we hope that this “amber

Amber deposits in a layer of blue clay, the depth of "solar stone" depositing in the Amber Combine's seaside quarry is about 50 meters

The Combine's seaside quarry, this is where amber is mined on industrial scale

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Amber processing at a subsidiary plant JSC “Amber Yuvelirprom”

route” would make us allies rather than rivals. Amber is

should build up the work so that no one stands back and

everyone is happy. Again, our main focus of supply of raw

materials today is Kaliningrad processers, and that is why it

was decided at this phase to invite concerned foreign com-

panions to pursue their amber business in Russia, by creat-

ing joint ventures in the Kaliningrad Region.

In the near future, do you plan any major activi-

ties in the Kaliningrad Region associated with the

development of amber industry in Russia?

Amber Industry Forum “Amber World,” to be held from 11

to 13 July 2014. The exhibitors will be over 200 manufac-

turers of amber products from Russia, Lithuania, Poland,

Ukraine, India, and other countries. Amber Combine is

one of the organizers of this exhibition. As part of the

“Amber World” Show, our company will hold an auction

of large raw amber stones. Also, the Forum will include

-

onstration of machinery for the industry, an auction of

“solar” stone jewellery, and more. Everyone is welcomed

to the exhibition. We hope that visitors from neighbour-

ing countries will also become active participants of the

“Amber World”, as well as it is always a great pleasure for

us to regularly attend your exhibitions and conferences

dedicated to amber.

KALININGRAD OBLAST(RUSSIAN FEDERATION)

Administrative center KaliningradRussian

Currency Ruble (RUB); 1 EUR – 49.98 RUBTime zone (USZ1 (UTC+03:00)Area 15 100 km2

Population (2013) 954 978Government Federal semi-presidential republicGovernor Nikolay TsukanovPresident Vladimir PutinGDP (PPP) Per capita 15 570 EUREthnic groups

86.4% Russians13.6% Others

Largest citiesKaliningrad 431 100Chernyakhovsk 51 771Sovetsk 42 619

Belarus

Latvia

Lithuania

Kaliningrad Oblast(Russian Federation)

Poland

More than 450 exhibitors from 12 countries will

come to AMBERIF 2014, the International Fair

of Amber, Jewellery and Gemstones. In previ-

ous years, the event regularly attracted more than 6,000

trade visitors from more than 50 countries. As a trade-on-

ly event, AMBERIF is addressed mainly to jewellery stores,

wholesalers and art galleries.

The products showcased at

AMBERIF include: Baltic amber

jewellery; silver and gold jewellery

decorated with amber; silver, gold

and platinum jewellery; jewellery

with gemstones, pearls and dia-

monds. There will be diamonds,

gemstones and watches, decora-

tive and functional amber items, imported jewellery, hol-

lowware and jewellery packaging. The Designers’ Gallery

is a perennial favourite; this year it will host more than

70 artists who work in various techniques and materials.

Organised in partnership with the Goldsmithing Artists’

Association (STFZ), the Gallery is the heart and soul of the

Polish school of design. As always, jewellery industry ma-

chines and the latest technologies will also be featured.

It is no coincidence that the world’s largest amber

trade show takes place in Gdańsk: with its Hanse tradi-

tion, located on the Baltic Sea coast, Gdańsk is known as

the World Capital of Amber.

“Not everyone knows that Poland is the leading sup-

plier of silver worldwide,” says AMBERIF Project Director

Ewa Rachoń, “and that the Gdańsk region has more than

600 businesses and jewellery studios which specialise in

silver jewellery decorated with amber. It is precisely based

on the local jewellery handicraft that AMBERIF originated

and developed.”

We expect more than 450 companies from Poland,

Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hong

Kong, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Thailand, Turkey and Ukraine.

AMBERIF 2014, the 21st International Fair of Amber, Jewellery and Gemstones

Report by Amberif press office

“We look forward to receiving AMBERIF trade visitors,

with an expected turnout of about 6000 buyers from

more than 50 countries, who come to Gdańsk for am-

ber, unique amber and silver jewellery and also to look

for original designer jewellery with silver and gemstones.

This year, under the Ministry of Economy’s programme to

promote Polish jewellery abroad,

we will host a Buyers Study Tour

from four countries: the USA,

Germany, Italy and China,” an-

nounced Ewa Rachoń. Under the

programme, the latest edition of

the popular Trend Book 2014+ by

Prof Sławomir Fijałkowski, Gdańsk

Academy of Fine Arts, will be pub-

lished by the Polish Chamber of Amber Commerce.

Each year, AMBERIF is accompanied by many education

and popular science events. For example, it features a se-

ries of seminars dedicated to subjects that are important to

jewellery and amber experts and enthusiasts. There is the

Amber Laboratory, where every AMBERIF customer may not

the type of amber they’ve purchased – all free of charge.

The SRJ Association of Jewellery Experts organises a gem-

mology seminar in partnership with HRD Antwerp. This is

where the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand will pre-

sent quality standards for rubies and sapphires.

AMBERIF exhibitors will, as always, compete for the

Minister of Economy’s Grand Prix, by submitting their work

to the strict evaluation of the Mercurius Gedanensis inter-

national judging panel. For the 17th time, the designer

community from all over the world is invited to participate

in the Amberif Design Award. This year’s ADA subject is

Materia Prima. An international jury of renowned artists

and the valuable prize from the Mayor of Gdańsk have for

years encouraged participation from both students of the

best jewellery design schools and celebrated designers.

POLI

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More than 450 exhibitors from 12 countries will

come to AMBERIF 2014, the International Fair

of Amber, Jewellery and Gemstones. In previ-

ous years, the event regularly attracted more than 6,000

trade visitors from more than 50 countries. As a trade-on-

ly event, AMBERIF is addressed mainly to jewellery stores,

wholesalers and art galleries.

The products showcased at

AMBERIF include: Baltic amber

jewellery; silver and gold jewellery

decorated with amber; silver, gold

and platinum jewellery; jewellery

with gemstones, pearls and dia-

monds. There will be diamonds,

gemstones and watches, decora-

tive and functional amber items, imported jewellery, hol-

lowware and jewellery packaging. The Designers’ Gallery

is a perennial favourite; this year it will host more than

70 artists who work in various techniques and materials.

Organised in partnership with the Goldsmithing Artists’

Association (STFZ), the Gallery is the heart and soul of the

Polish school of design. As always, jewellery industry ma-

chines and the latest technologies will also be featured.

It is no coincidence that the world’s largest amber

trade show takes place in Gdańsk: with its Hanse tradi-

tion, located on the Baltic Sea coast, Gdańsk is known as

the World Capital of Amber.

“Not everyone knows that Poland is the leading sup-

plier of silver worldwide,” says AMBERIF Project Director

Ewa Rachoń, “and that the Gdańsk region has more than

600 businesses and jewellery studios which specialise in

silver jewellery decorated with amber. It is precisely based

on the local jewellery handicraft that AMBERIF originated

and developed.”

We expect more than 450 companies from Poland,

Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hong

Kong, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Thailand, Turkey and Ukraine.

AMBERIF 2014, the 21st International Fair of Amber, Jewellery and Gemstones

Report by Amberif press office

“We look forward to receiving AMBERIF trade visitors,

with an expected turnout of about 6000 buyers from

more than 50 countries, who come to Gdańsk for am-

ber, unique amber and silver jewellery and also to look

for original designer jewellery with silver and gemstones.

This year, under the Ministry of Economy’s programme to

promote Polish jewellery abroad,

we will host a Buyers Study Tour

from four countries: the USA,

Germany, Italy and China,” an-

nounced Ewa Rachoń. Under the

programme, the latest edition of

the popular Trend Book 2014+ by

Prof Sławomir Fijałkowski, Gdańsk

Academy of Fine Arts, will be pub-

lished by the Polish Chamber of Amber Commerce.

Each year, AMBERIF is accompanied by many education

and popular science events. For example, it features a se-

ries of seminars dedicated to subjects that are important to

jewellery and amber experts and enthusiasts. There is the

Amber Laboratory, where every AMBERIF customer may not

the type of amber they’ve purchased – all free of charge.

The SRJ Association of Jewellery Experts organises a gem-

mology seminar in partnership with HRD Antwerp. This is

where the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand will pre-

sent quality standards for rubies and sapphires.

AMBERIF exhibitors will, as always, compete for the

Minister of Economy’s Grand Prix, by submitting their work

to the strict evaluation of the Mercurius Gedanensis inter-

national judging panel. For the 17th time, the designer

community from all over the world is invited to participate

in the Amberif Design Award. This year’s ADA subject is

Materia Prima. An international jury of renowned artists

and the valuable prize from the Mayor of Gdańsk have for

years encouraged participation from both students of the

best jewellery design schools and celebrated designers.

POLI

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The Gold Silver Time Jewellery and Watch Trade

Show is a leading event for Poland’s jewellery and

watch industry. Its organisers have set a consist-

ent goal to consolidate GST’s image and to promote the

exhibitors and their products, in contribution to building

a recognisable brand for Polish jewellery both in Poland

and worldwide.

The Warsaw-based show will feature three currently

dominating trends: classics, design and fashion, the last of

which is developing the most dynamically, because follow-

ing fashion trends is the key to business success also in the

jewellery industry. The classical trend features mainly gold

with diamonds and gemstones and silver with natural and

synthetic stones. Designer and original jewellery trends

are set by the jewellery makers themselves – that is why

their work attracts such remarkable interest. Polish design

is highly valued worldwide for its fresh ideas, creativity

and openness to experiment with materials and textures.

have been appreciated by the Polish Ministry of Economy,

which since 2001 has been conferring the Minister of

Economy’s Gold Silver Time Best Product Award. At the

previous edition of the show, three awards were present-

ed (instead of the usual one). The winners were: Amber-

Ring Stanisław Całka, Paragon Dariusz Grzenkowski and

Ostrowski Design Jacek Ostrowski. “It is a remarkable

distinction for our exhibitors. We are very happy that

their contribution to promoting Polish design and tech-

nology in international markets has been acknowledged

and recognised. I hope that also this year there will be

Gold Silver Time 2013 is open: the ribbon was ceremoniously cut by art historian Irena HUML, president of the SWBJ Polish Association of Jewellery Industry Exhibitors Stefan DUK and singer and Amber Rose honouree Justyna STECZKOWSKA

Growing numbers of visitors from Asia, with interest focused mainly on Baltic amber

Gold Silver Time is also an opportunity for retail customers

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The Gold Silver Time Jewellery and Watch Trade

Show is a leading event for Poland’s jewellery and

watch industry. Its organisers have set a consist-

ent goal to consolidate GST’s image and to promote the

exhibitors and their products, in contribution to building

a recognisable brand for Polish jewellery both in Poland

and worldwide.

The Warsaw-based show will feature three currently

dominating trends: classics, design and fashion, the last of

which is developing the most dynamically, because follow-

ing fashion trends is the key to business success also in the

jewellery industry. The classical trend features mainly gold

with diamonds and gemstones and silver with natural and

synthetic stones. Designer and original jewellery trends

are set by the jewellery makers themselves – that is why

their work attracts such remarkable interest. Polish design

is highly valued worldwide for its fresh ideas, creativity

and openness to experiment with materials and textures.

have been appreciated by the Polish Ministry of Economy,

which since 2001 has been conferring the Minister of

Economy’s Gold Silver Time Best Product Award. At the

previous edition of the show, three awards were present-

ed (instead of the usual one). The winners were: Amber-

Ring Stanisław Całka, Paragon Dariusz Grzenkowski and

Ostrowski Design Jacek Ostrowski. “It is a remarkable

distinction for our exhibitors. We are very happy that

their contribution to promoting Polish design and tech-

nology in international markets has been acknowledged

and recognised. I hope that also this year there will be

Gold Silver Time 2013 is open: the ribbon was ceremoniously cut by art historian Irena HUML, president of the SWBJ Polish Association of Jewellery Industry Exhibitors Stefan DUK and singer and Amber Rose honouree Justyna STECZKOWSKA

Growing numbers of visitors from Asia, with interest focused mainly on Baltic amber

Gold Silver Time is also an opportunity for retail customers

POLI

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20


three winners because the line of deserving companies

is really long”, explains Rafał Galimski, president of the

MCT International Fair Centre, which together with the

PSP Visual Arts Studio organises Gold Silver Time.

amber industry at the time of the economic slowdown has

come from the Ministry’s 2012–2015 support programme,

with funding available for, among others, trade missions

of Polish companies abroad and foreign trade visitors

coming to Poland, advertising campaigns in the consumer

press and on billboards and participation in selected trade

exhibitions in Warsaw, Gdańsk, Munich, Hong Kong,

Las Vegas, Tucson and Vicenza. The programme is run

by the Amber-Treasure of Poland Consortium: the MCT

International Fair Centre, the MTG SA Gdańsk International

Fair Co., the KIGB Polish Chamber of Amber Commerce

and the S&A Company. Under the programme, in 2014

GST will be visited by an international press mission, there

will be jewellery shows from the participating companies

and the number of amber sector exhibitors will increase.

Today, GST is perceived as a tried and true form of

business communication for the jewellery and watch in-

dustry. Even in these economically challenging times, the

event has not experienced any visible drop in the exhibitor

or visitor attendance, which is proof of its stable market

standing. “We have noticed that businesses are coping

by responding quicker and more effectively to its needs.

And this gives us hope for the coming edition to be at

least as good as the previous one. All the more eagerly we

invite global jewelery and watchmaking industry to the

Gold Silver Time – fair that is a proven method of business

communication”, says Rafał Galimski. In 2014, as in the

preceding year, the organisers expect about 300 exhibi-

tors and ca. 6000 visitors.

The interest in the GST Show remains as great as ever

A jewellery show developed by the Amber. Treasure of Poland Consortium. Image: Jewellery from Marcin Zaremski.

21


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The Amber Museum, which was opened last sum-

mer, alongside with the Boruni Galleries and the

Amber Portal amber.com.pl have formed “the am-

ber empire” of Tomasz Mikołajczyk – Mikołajczyki Amber.

Its aim is to strengthen the Boruni brand through promot-

ing natural amber and products decorated with it. The

achievements in that sphere are truly impressive.

“I have been fascinated with amber for a long time

and I wish to show others what has allured me in this

stone” – says Tomasz Mikołajczyk who has been running

the chain of Boruni galleries for over 20 years. He started

Due to THE FASCINATION

with Amber...By Anna SADOEditor of the Amber Portal www.amber.com.pl

his adventure with amber as a jeweller – the knowledge of

the craft helps to evaluate not only the aesthetic and inno-

vative value of jewellery, but also the quality of its execu-

tion. He is famous within the industry for his attentive eye

and for being partial to the works by renowned designers

– though he buys with an intention to resell the products,

consists of many unique works of renowned Polish art-

ists such as Paulina Binek, Jacek Baron, Jacek Sumeradzki,

Janusz Wosik, Mariusz Gliwiński, Elżbieta and Marek

Pawłowski, or Magdalena and Tomasz Stajczak. The prod-

ucts are extraordinary due to the uniqueness of the amber

blocks and inimitable form of the frames. The were cre-

ated over the last two decades, and today they are still en-

chanting with their timeless beauty and patinated amber.

Some of the products from the collection have found

their appropriate place at the Amber Museum in Cracow,

a private enterprise of Tomasz Mikołajczyk, where they

are a contemporary benchmark for the currently pre-

sented exhibition “Amber – Its Beauty and History”. The

exhibition was prepared by the Museum of the Earth by

the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. However, the

most beautiful of the most beautiful works – both in terms

of highest level of artistic craft and the most fascinat-

ing natural forms – have been included in the Collection

Supernatural and they are presented at the Boruni Gallery,

belonging to the Museum.

The Boruni Galleries have always stood thanks to their

carefully selected amber product range: jewellery, sculp-

tures, or usable objects. Now the time has come to further

of galleries, at the European scale, where the most beauti-

Tomasz Mik Ołajczyk

I wish TO SHOW OTHERS what has allured me in this stone

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The Amber Museum, which was opened last sum-

mer, alongside with the Boruni Galleries and the

Amber Portal amber.com.pl have formed “the am-

ber empire” of Tomasz Mikołajczyk – Mikołajczyki Amber.

Its aim is to strengthen the Boruni brand through promot-

ing natural amber and products decorated with it. The

achievements in that sphere are truly impressive.

“I have been fascinated with amber for a long time

and I wish to show others what has allured me in this

stone” – says Tomasz Mikołajczyk who has been running

the chain of Boruni galleries for over 20 years. He started

Due to THE FASCINATION

with Amber...By Anna SADOEditor of the Amber Portal www.amber.com.pl

his adventure with amber as a jeweller – the knowledge of

the craft helps to evaluate not only the aesthetic and inno-

vative value of jewellery, but also the quality of its execu-

tion. He is famous within the industry for his attentive eye

and for being partial to the works by renowned designers

– though he buys with an intention to resell the products,

consists of many unique works of renowned Polish art-

ists such as Paulina Binek, Jacek Baron, Jacek Sumeradzki,

Janusz Wosik, Mariusz Gliwiński, Elżbieta and Marek

Pawłowski, or Magdalena and Tomasz Stajczak. The prod-

ucts are extraordinary due to the uniqueness of the amber

blocks and inimitable form of the frames. The were cre-

ated over the last two decades, and today they are still en-

chanting with their timeless beauty and patinated amber.

Some of the products from the collection have found

their appropriate place at the Amber Museum in Cracow,

a private enterprise of Tomasz Mikołajczyk, where they

are a contemporary benchmark for the currently pre-

sented exhibition “Amber – Its Beauty and History”. The

exhibition was prepared by the Museum of the Earth by

the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. However, the

most beautiful of the most beautiful works – both in terms

of highest level of artistic craft and the most fascinat-

ing natural forms – have been included in the Collection

Supernatural and they are presented at the Boruni Gallery,

belonging to the Museum.

The Boruni Galleries have always stood thanks to their

carefully selected amber product range: jewellery, sculp-

tures, or usable objects. Now the time has come to further

of galleries, at the European scale, where the most beauti-

Tomasz Mik Ołajczyk

I wish TO SHOW OTHERS what has allured me in this stone

POLI

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A horse by Jacek Sumeradzki

Boruni Gallery

purpose of the museum is to promote the natural beauty

of amber and what is widely understood, by education.

The exhibition “Amber – Its Beauty and History” provides

a lot of information about amber creation, the history of

its mining and treatment up until to the present day, and

at the Amber Laboratory one can check the authentic-

ity of the stone. “Amber is currently so highly valued and

authenticity any more, there's a need for advanced tech-

nology and we have it” – explains Tomasz Mikołajczyk.

designed and registered hologram with a number. Such

-

est end of the price range offered at the Boruni Gallery.

The purchase of products of other price ranges at the

Boruni Gallery are also safe as all the products have been

examined before.

The aim of what is widely understood by education

is also implemented by the Amber Portal amber.com.

pl which also belongs to the Mikołajczyki Amber. It has

been so effective that in March 2010 the owner, Tomasz

Mikołajczyk and the Editor in Chief Anna Sado have been

awarded the Medals of the President of the City of Gdańsk

for their contribution in promoting amber, the amber in-

dustry and Gdańsk – the World Capital of Amber. The

International Amber Association awarded the title of the

Amber Personality of the Year 2010 to the Editor in Chief

Anna Sado, and a Crystal Medal to Tomasz Mikołajczyk,

for many years of his contribution to promoting amber in

2011, and the prestigious title of the Amber Personality of

the Year 2012.

ful, individual products made of natural Baltic amber will

be offered” – declares the owner of galleries. The inspira-

tion to build a new image of the galleries was primarily

observing the market, which is receptive to unique prod-

ucts in the premium sector.

The image of the Boruni Galleries, as a unique place is

meant to be also highlighted by the Amber Museum. The

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A horse by Jacek Sumeradzki

Boruni Gallery

purpose of the museum is to promote the natural beauty

of amber and what is widely understood, by education.

The exhibition “Amber – Its Beauty and History” provides

a lot of information about amber creation, the history of

its mining and treatment up until to the present day, and

at the Amber Laboratory one can check the authentic-

ity of the stone. “Amber is currently so highly valued and

authenticity any more, there's a need for advanced tech-

nology and we have it” – explains Tomasz Mikołajczyk.

designed and registered hologram with a number. Such

-

est end of the price range offered at the Boruni Gallery.

The purchase of products of other price ranges at the

Boruni Gallery are also safe as all the products have been

examined before.

The aim of what is widely understood by education

is also implemented by the Amber Portal amber.com.

pl which also belongs to the Mikołajczyki Amber. It has

been so effective that in March 2010 the owner, Tomasz

Mikołajczyk and the Editor in Chief Anna Sado have been

awarded the Medals of the President of the City of Gdańsk

for their contribution in promoting amber, the amber in-

dustry and Gdańsk – the World Capital of Amber. The

International Amber Association awarded the title of the

Amber Personality of the Year 2010 to the Editor in Chief

Anna Sado, and a Crystal Medal to Tomasz Mikołajczyk,

for many years of his contribution to promoting amber in

2011, and the prestigious title of the Amber Personality of

the Year 2012.

ful, individual products made of natural Baltic amber will

be offered” – declares the owner of galleries. The inspira-

tion to build a new image of the galleries was primarily

observing the market, which is receptive to unique prod-

ucts in the premium sector.

The image of the Boruni Galleries, as a unique place is

meant to be also highlighted by the Amber Museum. The

POLI

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Lady with an Ermine by Bogumiła & Marian k elar A mechanical bracelet by Jacek Baron

REPUBLIC OF POLAND

EU, NATO, Hallmarking ConventionCapital Warsaw

PolishCurrency Złoty (PLN); 1 EUR – 4.1885 PLNTime zone CET (UTC+1) – Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)Area – 312 685 km2

Population (2012) 38 273 582 Government Parliamentary republicPresident Bronisław KomorowskiPrime Minister Donald TuskGDP (PPP) Per capita (2012) 16 527 EUR Ethnic groups

91.6% Poles8.4% others

Largest citiesWarsaw 1 716 855Krakov 755 546Lodz 739 832

Latvia

Belarus

Ukraine

Kaliningrad Region

Poland

Lithuania

“The amber empire” is constantly developing and at

the same time it contributes to promoting amber and am-

ber art as well as showing the new directions of develop-

ment in the sector and in the amber trade.

THE AMBER MUSEUM

2, Św. Jana Street31–018 Kraków tel.: +48 513 511 512, 601 824 646open every day from 10 am to 8 pm admission free

www.ambermuseum.eu

My aim is TO CREATE A UNIQUE CHAIN OF GALLERIES, at the European scale, where the most beautiful, individual products made of NATURAL BALTIC AMBER will be offered

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This year, the largest International Baltic

Jewellery Show “Amber Trip” is taking place the 11th

time. What goals have You set for the new decade?

The show has been living for as much as 11 years; it

has undergone more than one crisis and, still, has sur-

vived; therefore, both local and foreign markets, obvi-

ously, need it. I am happy that the show's organizers have

achieved their main objectives – to make amber popular

and to bring professional articles of jewellery from around

the world to the event. Vilnius became the capital of the

Baltic region jewellery, ahead of cities such as Tallinn,

Riga, or Kaliningrad.

Joint efforts of everyone around (I mean market sellers

and buyers) to hold the show make its organisation easy.

needs an organizer (in this case – the company “Amber

Trip”) for collecting all information and considering the

needs of all participants. However, it is safe to say that

real organizers of the show are market players themselves

since the state allocates no funds on the show organisa-

tion. Vilnius City Municipality is the annual sponsor of the

show that is also a meaningful estimate of the show.

We have created our own history and traditions, yet,

we did not stop there – we treat the new decade like a

new page and even more challenging start: we’ll seek to

further expand, to improve in order to place the show

organization to a higher level both in terms of quality of

products and its presentation.

How does “Amber Trip” Show stand out among

other jewellery exhibitions?

jewellery exhibition in the Baltic States, involving repre-

AMBER TRIP IS ENTERING THE SECOND DECADE

Interview of Virginija ZYGIENE with Giedrius GUNTORIUS

In mid-March, like every year, the “Amber

Trip” – the largest international jewellery

show in the Baltic countries – is opening. This

year, the decade-years-old show is held for

the 11th time. “We have achieved our goals

– Vilnius has become the capital of the Baltic

jewellery. We have created our own history

and traditions, yet, we did not stop there – we

treat the new decade like a new page and even

more challenging start: we’ll seek to further

expand, to improve in order to place the show

organization to a higher level both in terms

of quality of products and its presentation”

says the head of the show organizing company

“Amber Trip” Giedrius Gun TOr IuS.

CEO of “Amber Trip” Giedrius Guntorius: “Vilnius became the capital of the Baltic region jewellery, ahead of cities such as Tallinn, Riga, or Kaliningrad”

LITH

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This year, the largest International Baltic

Jewellery Show “Amber Trip” is taking place the 11th

time. What goals have You set for the new decade?

The show has been living for as much as 11 years; it

has undergone more than one crisis and, still, has sur-

vived; therefore, both local and foreign markets, obvi-

ously, need it. I am happy that the show's organizers have

achieved their main objectives – to make amber popular

and to bring professional articles of jewellery from around

the world to the event. Vilnius became the capital of the

Baltic region jewellery, ahead of cities such as Tallinn,

Riga, or Kaliningrad.

Joint efforts of everyone around (I mean market sellers

and buyers) to hold the show make its organisation easy.

needs an organizer (in this case – the company “Amber

Trip”) for collecting all information and considering the

needs of all participants. However, it is safe to say that

real organizers of the show are market players themselves

since the state allocates no funds on the show organisa-

tion. Vilnius City Municipality is the annual sponsor of the

show that is also a meaningful estimate of the show.

We have created our own history and traditions, yet,

we did not stop there – we treat the new decade like a

new page and even more challenging start: we’ll seek to

further expand, to improve in order to place the show

organization to a higher level both in terms of quality of

products and its presentation.

How does “Amber Trip” Show stand out among

other jewellery exhibitions?

jewellery exhibition in the Baltic States, involving repre-

AMBER TRIP IS ENTERING THE SECOND DECADE

Interview of Virginija ZYGIENE with Giedrius GUNTORIUS

In mid-March, like every year, the “Amber

Trip” – the largest international jewellery

show in the Baltic countries – is opening. This

year, the decade-years-old show is held for

the 11th time. “We have achieved our goals

– Vilnius has become the capital of the Baltic

jewellery. We have created our own history

and traditions, yet, we did not stop there – we

treat the new decade like a new page and even

more challenging start: we’ll seek to further

expand, to improve in order to place the show

organization to a higher level both in terms

of quality of products and its presentation”

says the head of the show organizing company

“Amber Trip” Giedrius Gun TOr IuS.

CEO of “Amber Trip” Giedrius Guntorius: “Vilnius became the capital of the Baltic region jewellery, ahead of cities such as Tallinn, Riga, or Kaliningrad”

LITH

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sentatives of the global jewellery market who work both

with amber and other forms of jewellery. “Amber Trip”

Show attracts companies from Poland, Russia, Lithuania,

Latvia, Estonia, Turkey, and other countries. Among the

exhibitors, there are about 60 pct of amber businesses,

about 40 pct of professional Baltic jewellers, and other

specialists of this area from around the world, who are

going to present their articles in Lithuania.

The show is also attended by representatives of large

companies from various countries. For example, we have

guests from China, who are currently buying up any-

America, where amber demand is rising again, and, of

course, from Europe. Every day, the exhibition is visited

by over 200 major customers (so-called VIP) from Japan,

America, China, the Arab world – they come here to make

transactions for the whole year ahead.

“Amber Trip” Show, compared with worldwide jewel-

lery exhibitions, is quite small, so, we seek to invite the

best exhibitors.

A particularly important fact is that “Amber Trip” is

thus, suggesting trends for the amber and jewellery mar-

they should expect in this market. Situation in the amber

and jewellery market remains complicated.

Please tell us more about this year's show.

We are very excited that “Amber Trip” Show, which

-

augurated by the new Director General of Kaliningrad

Amber Combine (“Kaliningradskiy Yantarny Kombinat“),

Michail Zacepin. The preliminary agreement with this fac-

Kaliningrad Region of Russia as well, thus, enabling them

to introduce Europe, and in future – the rest of the world

– to their products.

As I’ve already mentioned, during the show, repre-

sentatives from various countries will share their insights

about the jewellery business trends around the world.

Representatives of Kaliningrad Amber Combine will also

share their forecasts what to expect in the raw amber

market.

At the “Amber Trip,” there will be presented the lat-

est technology and modern machinery. The Show is also

proud to present you international jewellery art contest

“5D,” which will involve jewellers from Lithuania, Latvia,

Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Germany, and

other countries. In addition, it became a beautiful tradi-

tion to show remarkable or historical articles of jewellery.

Last year, on anniversary, we had 10 articles; this year,

there will be 11 of them presented.

How has “Amber Trip” Show changed during the

last 10 years?

Town Hall – now, the show is arranged in “Radisson Blue

Hotel”. During all these years, the show has experienced

both “growing” and “shrinking”: during the very crisis (in

2009–2010), it was greatly reduced; now, it reached the

pre-crisis times.

Our estimates should not be limited to how much the

number of exhibitor stands has increased or how many

square meters the exhibition space has increased per dec-

ade. However, we can really be proud of the fact that,

every year, amber and jewellery businesses have the op-

portunity to show their works in Vilnius and that not every

industry holds its own exhibition in this region. After all,

the world each month, and each company in this business

must choose a strategy in which region it wants to oper-

ate. Thus, we can rightly be proud that major companies

motivation to work in the Baltic region. LI

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What inspired you to renew – to form a new

team of amber specialists and enter the market un-

der the new name?

As a result of disagreement on the approaches to the

team, work and company development, I sold the share-

holding of the company Amber by Mazukna. I established

the company Amber Alex in Palanga,

-

sions and work. Amber specialists,

who had been working in my for-

mer company for many years, con-

tinue to work in the team with new

members.

The name of the company –

Amber Alex

activity. My name used in the name

of the company means my personal direct responsibility

for the success and fairness of the business created by me.

I have always wanted to live and work in Palanga, be-

cause of amber traditions, ‘bohemia’ and ‘philosophy’. Of

course, amber ‘philosophy’ in commercial aspect is not as

much developed here as in other places, but amber pro-

cessing traditions in its essence live in Palanga.

I really like the Baltic Sea. There is no other place in

Lithuania, where you can have a half-hour walking on the

seaside during your lunch break. I wanted such walking on

the beach to become an everyday instead of a holiday rou-

tine. Moving to Palanga means a comeback to family roots

and traditions: even three previous generations of my

spouse lived in Palanga and the majority of them has been

working with amber up to the present day. Therefore,

our decision was not a coincidental

decision, it was supported by family

members and relatives.

On the other hand, the amber

market in Palanga is the place where

amber traditions are alive. Palanga is

probably the only place all over the

world, where the market is open

every Saturday, unfortunately we do

not appreciate it.

-

ber sellers and manufacturers here;

and amber is the essence of their

lives as well as mine.

After 20 years of experience in the amber jewellery business

ALEKSAS MAZUKNA decided to bring some fresh air

“Family, amber roots, traditions, and the Baltic

Sea – the main reasons, why I have decided

to move to live and work in Palanga”, – said

Aleksas Mazukna, entering the amber jewellery

market with the company Amber Alex.

Interview of Virginija ZYGIENE with Aleksas MAZUKNA

Alesas Mazukna with his client Japanese company “Kohaku Koubou”

president Kaoru Tagawa

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What inspired you to renew – to form a new

team of amber specialists and enter the market un-

der the new name?

As a result of disagreement on the approaches to the

team, work and company development, I sold the share-

holding of the company Amber by Mazukna. I established

the company Amber Alex in Palanga,

-

sions and work. Amber specialists,

who had been working in my for-

mer company for many years, con-

tinue to work in the team with new

members.

The name of the company –

Amber Alex

activity. My name used in the name

of the company means my personal direct responsibility

for the success and fairness of the business created by me.

I have always wanted to live and work in Palanga, be-

cause of amber traditions, ‘bohemia’ and ‘philosophy’. Of

course, amber ‘philosophy’ in commercial aspect is not as

much developed here as in other places, but amber pro-

cessing traditions in its essence live in Palanga.

I really like the Baltic Sea. There is no other place in

Lithuania, where you can have a half-hour walking on the

seaside during your lunch break. I wanted such walking on

the beach to become an everyday instead of a holiday rou-

tine. Moving to Palanga means a comeback to family roots

and traditions: even three previous generations of my

spouse lived in Palanga and the majority of them has been

working with amber up to the present day. Therefore,

our decision was not a coincidental

decision, it was supported by family

members and relatives.

On the other hand, the amber

market in Palanga is the place where

amber traditions are alive. Palanga is

probably the only place all over the

world, where the market is open

every Saturday, unfortunately we do

not appreciate it.

-

ber sellers and manufacturers here;

and amber is the essence of their

lives as well as mine.

After 20 years of experience in the amber jewellery business

ALEKSAS MAZUKNA decided to bring some fresh air

“Family, amber roots, traditions, and the Baltic

Sea – the main reasons, why I have decided

to move to live and work in Palanga”, – said

Aleksas Mazukna, entering the amber jewellery

market with the company Amber Alex.

Interview of Virginija ZYGIENE with Aleksas MAZUKNA

Alesas Mazukna with his client Japanese company “Kohaku Koubou”

president Kaoru Tagawa

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How many workers are working in your new

manufactory? What are your plans and expectations

for the following 5 years?

The production facilities of the new manufactory will

cover 1.5 thousand sq. m., the construction and installa-

to our plan, up to 100 workplaces will be created in the

manufactory Amber Alex.

I am a specialist. So I will continue working in the same

market – I will be doing what I have been doing before.

Our aim is to take a strong position in the market, to be

visible and offer new ideas to our customers, and exhibit

the unique beauty of amber to them.

Will you continue working on the same classical

artworks, you have been selling before? Or you will

renew the assortment?

We will be further producing classical jewellery, i.e.

we will not change the products we have been selling up

to the present day. But we will also start producing art-

works of new design, which, in our opinion, will be at-

tractive to our customers. The customers buy our amber

jewellery due to the exclusive quality and price.

Classics will always persist, it never goes out of fash-

lack of amber in the market, customers particularly assess

high quality and price of classical jewellery artworks.

What are the countries, you have already found

business partners in? Does the renewal promote

looking for new customers abroad?

The major partners of our business are in Japan, China,

America, and the European Union member countries. We

will continue working with current partners, and will be

looking for the new ones in other countries.

This year, on the 22–25 of January Amber Alex par-

ticipated in the international jewellery exhibition in Japan

IJT 2014 (International Jewellery Tokyo 2014). We have al-

ready been taking part in this exhibition for 15 years, but

We met our business partners, presented the new name

and the team of the company, and we found new part-

ners at the exhibition.

How many exhibitions do you visit in a year?

We visit about ten exhibitions in a year. The exhibi-

tions are held in Japan, China, USA, Poland, and there are

new markets we are interested in.

Amber Trip is a perfect exhibition, featuring a par-

ticularly pleasant environment, where family cosiness is

felt. These are the things, similar to the ones that have

attracted me to move to Palanga. After all, large exhibi-

tions are loosing their touch. We simply do not manage to

participate everywhere due to a lack of time.

What is your place in amber jewellery business?

What would the alternative work be if not working

with amber?

I have never cogitated such issue. Other people, but

not me, should tell about me. Importantly, people believe

in me – in my works, words, actions and vision. I particu-

larly appreciate their support. Sometimes they even help

I will continue working with amber. It is a lifestyle.

Each amber stone is different, each customer and each

artwork are different as well. There is no monotony in

this work, there is nothing exhausting, the life and work

are diverse and frisky. In addition, I have to travel much

around the world, I do not have time for stopping. The

only way for me is to go forward!

Thank you for the conversation and wish you

success.

Aleksas Mazukna in International Jewellery

Tokyo (IJT) 2014

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Lpublic body) authorised to perform the supervision

of precious metals and gemstones in Lithuania.

has never been a budgetary institution, therefore it does

not receive any state budget appropriations and “lives”

on the revenue generated for provided services of assay

and jewel analysis.

Hallmarking prices

Hallmarking price of 1 gram of gold.

LTL 2.15 per piece + 0.9 Lt per gram = total LTL 3.05

(EUR 0.88).

If 1000 or more pieces of imported items of the same

hallmark are submitted for hallmarking, you get a 10%

discount.

Average prices (LTL) per 1 (one) gram for golden items

of 585 hallmark and silver items of 925 hallmark in the

Lithuanian retail market in 2010-2013 are given below

(EUR 1 = LTL 3.4528). (See statistics in Figure 1 and Figure 2).

How long does hallmarking take in Lithuania?

Hallmarking of 1–10 units takes up to 1 hour.

Hallmarking 10,000 or more units takes up to several

days. In each case the hallmarking time (period) is dis-

cussed and agreed with the customer. The demand of

services for higher value and therefore more expensive

jewellery products has increased by 19%.

How important is jewellery marking to Lithuanian

customers?

In Lithuania the consumers’ interest in jewellery mark-

stamped on the product, what it must be stamped by,

what hallmark guarantees the purity of the product, etc.

Most buyers are aware and understand that such num-

bers as “585” on the product does not prove that the

do not certify the purity.

A great achievement is that customers are interested

in and inquire if the products are tested by Lithuanian

Jewellery BUSINESS TRENDS in Lithuania

Report by Virginija PAVALKIENE

Head of Legal – Inspection Division of Lithuanian

Assay Office

0

50

100

150

200

250

2013 201220112010

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

2013 201220112010

Figure 1 Figure 2

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AU 585 AG 925

Lpublic body) authorised to perform the supervision

of precious metals and gemstones in Lithuania.

has never been a budgetary institution, therefore it does

not receive any state budget appropriations and “lives”

on the revenue generated for provided services of assay

and jewel analysis.

Hallmarking prices

Hallmarking price of 1 gram of gold.

LTL 2.15 per piece + 0.9 Lt per gram = total LTL 3.05

(EUR 0.88).

If 1000 or more pieces of imported items of the same

hallmark are submitted for hallmarking, you get a 10%

discount.

Average prices (LTL) per 1 (one) gram for golden items

of 585 hallmark and silver items of 925 hallmark in the

Lithuanian retail market in 2010-2013 are given below

(EUR 1 = LTL 3.4528). (See statistics in Figure 1 and Figure 2).

How long does hallmarking take in Lithuania?

Hallmarking of 1–10 units takes up to 1 hour.

Hallmarking 10,000 or more units takes up to several

days. In each case the hallmarking time (period) is dis-

cussed and agreed with the customer. The demand of

services for higher value and therefore more expensive

jewellery products has increased by 19%.

How important is jewellery marking to Lithuanian

customers?

In Lithuania the consumers’ interest in jewellery mark-

stamped on the product, what it must be stamped by,

what hallmark guarantees the purity of the product, etc.

Most buyers are aware and understand that such num-

bers as “585” on the product does not prove that the

do not certify the purity.

A great achievement is that customers are interested

in and inquire if the products are tested by Lithuanian

Jewellery BUSINESS TRENDS in Lithuania

Report by Virginija PAVALKIENE

Head of Legal – Inspection Division of Lithuanian

Assay Office

0

50

100

150

200

250

2013 201220112010

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

2013 201220112010

Figure 1 Figure 2

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AU 585 AG 925

state control hallmark certifying and guaranteeing that

the product is actually made of gold. Knowing if a pur-

chased piece of jewellery is actually made of gold or silver,

if it is worth buying and paying the purchase price, etc., is

important to consumers. Consumers are also encouraged

to take interest in the meaning of hallmarks stamped on

products by a simple folk proverb “all that glisters is not

gold”...

About more favourable and facilitated business

conditions

actually feel the alleviation of the administrative burden

reduced by legislative amendments in 2012.

Basically legal amendments adopted in 2012 facilitat-

activities with precious metals by reducing the administra-

tive burden for them: the compulsory registration of all

business entities engaged in the activities with precious

until the start of operations.

No additional documentation needs to be provided to

verify the data with the help of IT technologies, by directly

contacting other Government agencies or using publicly

available data of registers managed by other institutions,

without loading business entities with administrative bur-

check the applicant’s business license with State Tax

Inspectorate’s database, etc.

In 2013 the registration rules for business entities

engaged in the activities with precious metals and gem-

stones were repeatedly revised. The amendments legal-

ized the opportunity for business entities to submit their

applications for registration with the register of Lithuanian

written “paper” application form had been required.

So far Lithuanian entrepreneurs are taking little ad-

vantage of the opportunity to submit documents to

-

plication forms remain preferable.

As earlier, business entities may submit all their ap-

plications, including applications for registration of a

business entity itself and registration or re-registration of

-

Šiauliai and Druskininkai, or to email them.

Since 2012 all the business entities, including business

entities engaged in the activities with precious metals,

are technically enabled to contact all state institutions us-

ing “one-stop-shop” in the document submission system

www.verslovartai.lt. However, as practice shows in 2012

and 2013 entrepreneurs did not actively use the system.

-

plications via the said system. Entrepreneurs should be

-

courage all entrepreneurs to use the system, to saving

time and money. We are pleased to know that the start

has been made in this area, and hope that our customers

will be more interested in technical innovations enabling

to handle all the business related to precious metals and

gemstones at customer workplaces, and will easily adapt

methods of communication with customers, and in 2013

continued the project “The transfer of administrative pro-

cedures related to permits issued by state and municipal

institutions and agencies to the electronic medium” ini-

tiated in 2012 in partnership with the Public Institution

“Versli Lietuva”. The project intends to make more ser-

environment. The end of the project was planned in the

middle of 2013, however due to a high volume of project

works to engage all the Government institutions into the

overall system, the project completion is planned this year.

been publishing the list of all newly registered or dereg-

istered business entities in the publicly available register

of permits http://www.verslovartai.lt/lt/leidimu-registras.

The disclosure and availability of such information ena-

bles ordinary consumers, i.e., jewellery buyers, to learn

more about sellers of jewellery products and the legality

of their activities, and to “inspect” the legitimacy of busi-

ness partner activities.

to the requirements of the Declaration on the First Year

of Business signed in 2011. The Declaration was signed

-

business by providing methodological assistance and even

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restrictions, etc.) for committed violations. Instead, a time

limit was imposed to remove violations. The Declaration

does not apply, if an entity fails to remove violations with-

in an established time limit or commits new violations. In

this case it is subject to sanctions prescribed by law.

On business trends

From 31 December 2010 to 31 December 2013 regis-

tered business entities increased by 30%, i.e., from 931 (in

2010) to 1,342 (in 2013).

Joint-stock companies and/or limited liability compa-

nies prevail among business entities engaged in the activi-

ties with precious metals.

For example, in 2010 410 business entities were regis-

tered, meanwhile at the end of 2013 654 business entities

were registered.

The number of sole proprietorships in 2013 compared

to 2010 has not changed much, i.e., from 238 in 2010 to

248 by the end of 2013.

The number of small entrepreneurs working with busi-

by 137, i.e., from 258 to 395 during the period from 31

December 2010 to 31 December 2013.

After the Law on Small Partnerships of the Republic of

Lithuania has entered into force on 1 September 2012, 3

small partnerships were registered by 31 December 2012.

16 more partnerships were registered in 2013.

2010 2011 2012 2013

Total number of registered

business entities 931 1060 1196 1342

Newly registered business

entities 148 136 139 164

Deregistered business

entities 38 35 39 18

* Data as of 31 December of a calendar year

Dynamics of the number of business entities engaged in the activities with precious metals and gemstones in 2010-2013* (units)

Dynamics of the number of business entities engaged in the activities with precious metals and gemstones in 2010-2013* according to status (units)

0

300

600

900

1200

1500

Deregistered business entities

Newly registered business entities

Registered business entities in total

2013 201220112010

0

218

436

654

GP*****SC****CC***Public Ints.Nat.

pers.**IEJSC, Ltd

2013 201220112010

2010 2011 2012 2013

JSC, Ltd 410 483 568 654

IE 238 243 246 248

Nat. pers.** 258 308 348 395

Public Ints. 0 9 10 11

CC*** 0 7 7 7

SC**** 0 0 3 19

GP***** 0 2 3 3

* Data as of 31 December of a calendar year;

** Natural persons with a business licence or an individual activ

*** Cooperative company;

**** Small partnership (since 2012.09.01);

***** General partnership.

As in previous years, in 2013 the main activity of eco-

nomic entities in the sector remained to be retail and

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restrictions, etc.) for committed violations. Instead, a time

limit was imposed to remove violations. The Declaration

does not apply, if an entity fails to remove violations with-

in an established time limit or commits new violations. In

this case it is subject to sanctions prescribed by law.

On business trends

From 31 December 2010 to 31 December 2013 regis-

tered business entities increased by 30%, i.e., from 931 (in

2010) to 1,342 (in 2013).

Joint-stock companies and/or limited liability compa-

nies prevail among business entities engaged in the activi-

ties with precious metals.

For example, in 2010 410 business entities were regis-

tered, meanwhile at the end of 2013 654 business entities

were registered.

The number of sole proprietorships in 2013 compared

to 2010 has not changed much, i.e., from 238 in 2010 to

248 by the end of 2013.

The number of small entrepreneurs working with busi-

by 137, i.e., from 258 to 395 during the period from 31

December 2010 to 31 December 2013.

After the Law on Small Partnerships of the Republic of

Lithuania has entered into force on 1 September 2012, 3

small partnerships were registered by 31 December 2012.

16 more partnerships were registered in 2013.

2010 2011 2012 2013

Total number of registered

business entities 931 1060 1196 1342

Newly registered business

entities 148 136 139 164

Deregistered business

entities 38 35 39 18

* Data as of 31 December of a calendar year

Dynamics of the number of business entities engaged in the activities with precious metals and gemstones in 2010-2013* (units)

Dynamics of the number of business entities engaged in the activities with precious metals and gemstones in 2010-2013* according to status (units)

0

300

600

900

1200

1500

Deregistered business entities

Newly registered business entities

Registered business entities in total

2013 201220112010

0

218

436

654

GP*****SC****CC***Public Ints.Nat.

pers.**IEJSC, Ltd

2013 201220112010

2010 2011 2012 2013

JSC, Ltd 410 483 568 654

IE 238 243 246 248

Nat. pers.** 258 308 348 395

Public Ints. 0 9 10 11

CC*** 0 7 7 7

SC**** 0 0 3 19

GP***** 0 2 3 3

* Data as of 31 December of a calendar year;

** Natural persons with a business licence or an individual activ

*** Cooperative company;

**** Small partnership (since 2012.09.01);

***** General partnership.

As in previous years, in 2013 the main activity of eco-

nomic entities in the sector remained to be retail and

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wholesale trade (distribution) in precious metal products.

The number of companies, which have declared this activ-

ity has grown from 834 to 1,130 since 31 December 2010

to 31 December 2013, respectively. During 2013 the num-

ber of such economic entities increased by 114.

The number of pawnshops accepting precious metals,

precious stones, and their products as collateral for loans,

which grew during the economic crisis, continued to grow

in 2013 from 195 economic entities providing pawn ser-

vices in 2010, to 279 at the end of 2013. 39 new economic

entities began providing pawn services in 2013.

449 economic entities with 62 new economic entities

among them were entitled to engage in buying and sell-

ing precious metals, precious stones, their products and

scrap in 2013. Since 2010 the number of the above eco-

nomic entities has increased almost 1.5 times – from 299

(in 2010) to 449 (in 2013).

During the period from 31 December 2010 to 31

December 2013 the number of jewellers producing pre-

cious metal and precious stone products has increased,

respectively, from 256 to 356. At the end of 2013 this

number included 175 legal entities and 181 natural per-

sons. In 2013 the precious metal production activities

were declared by 48 economic entities.

In recent years the number of investment gold trad-

ers has increased from 26 economic entities in 2010 to

60 economic entities at the end of 2013. 38 economic

entities declared their trade in investment gold at the end

of 2012.

Moreover, e-commerce in precious metals and gems

has started, and it is gaining increasing popularity. 10 eco-

nomic entities were legitimately engaged in these activi-

ties at the end of 2010.

As of 31 December 2012, 24 economic entities de-

clared this activity and by 31 December 2013 this activity

was legalised by 68 economic entities.

Number of business entities engaged in the activities with precious metals and gemstones in * 2010-2013 according to the type of activity (units)

The above statistics shows that the market of precious

metals and gemstones is growing, that more favourable

conditions are provided to business entities engaged in

these activities, and that the administrative burden is re-

duced thus diminishing the shadow economy. The con-

sumers’ interests are protected. It is the most important

2010** 2011** 2012** 2013**

Pawnshops 195 224 240 279

Trade 834 920 1016 1130

Purchase, sale 299 346 387 449

Production 256 282 308 356

Trading in gold investment 26 31 38 60

Selling Online 10 15 28 68

* The same business entity may be engaged in several activities

** Data as of 31 December of a calendar year

0

226

452

678

904

1130

Selling Online

Trading in gold investment

Production

Purchase, sale

Trade

Pawnshops

2013** 2012**2011**2010**

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The core idea of the exhibition is to demonstrate

the possible range of application of amber in the

contemporary art jewellery created by profes-

sional jewellers. This area of interest is largely based on

-

„Amber Road” as the thematic background is not acci-

centuries AD as an exchange route of goods between the

Baltic Sea region and Roman Empire. The route started in

the eastern coastal area of the Baltic Sea, which at that

time was inhabited by the Prussians and Curonians. It con-

tinued down the Visla up to the city of Karnunta (cur-

rently in Hungary) and further to the coast of the Adriatic

Sea and the Apennine peninsula, providing Rome with the

precious and exclusive material. Many Roman coins and

antiquities found in the graveyards in the Baltic countries

is perceived as the evidence of this trade route together

with testimonies in the writings of Roman Empire era.

Thus not only will Latvian and Italian jewellers partici-

pate in the exhibition but also artists from countries that

Amber Road passed through (Russia, Estonia, Lithuania,

Poland, Austria, Slovenia and Hungary). This exhibition

will not only link the Amber Road geographically, but

also historically by connecting the ancient times with the

present, the past with the future and demonstrating the

spectacular miracle of amber jewellery creation.

The stage of the exhibition is set by an internation-

ally renowned fashion designer brand “MAREUNROL'S”.

The fashion designers – Mārīte Mastiņa and Rolands

Pēterkops

still being students at Riga Applied Art College. Since

then, they have participated and received awards in vari-

ous international fashion and arts festivals, including the

International Fashion and Photography Festival in Hyeres

(France). (www.mareunrols.com and http://putti.lv/

en/mareunrols )

Twenty artists take part in the exhibition: Andris Lauders

(Latvia), Claudia Steiner (Austria), Eva Tesarik (Austria), Eve

Margus-Villems (Estonia), Fanni Vékony (Hungary), Gigi

Mariani (Italy), Guntis Lauders (Latvia), Heidemarie Herb

(Italy), Helfried Kodré (Austria), Jānis Vilks (Latvia), Jurgita

Erminaitė-Šimkuvienė (Lithuania), Maria Cristina Bellucci

(Italy), Māris Auniņš (Latvia), Māris Šustiņš (Latvia), Nataša

Grandovec (Slovenia), Nikolai Balabin (Russia), Pawel

Kaczynski (Poland), Sara Gackowska (Poland), Valdis Brože

(Latvia) and Viktoria Münzker (Austria).

Art Gallery Putti is located in Riga and has been open

since 2000. Originally, the gallery was founded to promote

Latvian jewellery artists and their works of art. However,

gaining local and international recognition allowed the gal-

lery to expand its mission and now exhibitions also include

the works of outstanding foreign jewellery artists. The

artists who exhibit their work in Art Gallery “Putti” work

using different techniques, creating unique pieces of jew-

ellery, which represent both contemporary and conceptual

jewelery styles. Each year the gallery organizes four the-

matic or personal exhibitions, which can be viewed at the

same time as the permanent exhibiton, consisting mainly

of Latvian jewellery and fashion designers. The pieces of

art exhibited in the gallery are available for purchase.

AMBER IN CONTEMPORARY ART JEWELLERY

Dzintars mūsdienu laikmetīgajās mākslas rotās

Press release by Art gallery PUTTI

Fr OM MAy 23 rd un TIl Au GuST 2nd, 2014

within the European Capital of Culture

“r īga 2014” framework “Amber Vein” , Art

gallery PuTTI is organizing international

contemporary jewellery exhibition “AMBEr In

COnTEMPOr Ary Ar T JEWEll Ery ”.

Further information on

exhibitions and galleries:

www.putti.lv,

Diāna Jaunzeme–Meistere:

+ 371 26524361 (GSM)

[email protected]

45


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To represent yourself in Baltic region you

choose Estonia?

When our company developed, people started to know

us and to buy our brand goods; we decided to expand

Estonia, because it has good connection with Scandinavian

countries, Baltic region and the rest of Europe.

To which exhibitions in Baltic region do you

go to? Which one is the best?

We participated in many countries like Poland, Finland,

and Germany etc.

In the Baltic region we have been in the “Amber Trip”

exhibition in Vilnius. Concerning the amount of compa-

nies exhibiting, it is a small exhibition. In spite of it, we

because you meet people and customers from many dif-

ferent countries.

you are creating your own brand name. Why

WE CHOSE ESTONIA, because it has good connection with SCANDINAVIAN countries, BALTIC REGION and the rest of EUROPE

Who makes design for your jewellery?

I bring the ideas to my designers, after they draw and

make the jewellery, so I could say that it is our teamwork.

I also always appreciate when somebody gives new ideas

that we can discuss together.

Where is your jewellery manufactured?

The jewellery is manufactured in many countries like

Italy, other European countries and also Asia. It depends

from materials that are used in jewellery. Sometimes for

making one piece of jewellery we need to bring materials

from different countries. All our effort and soul is put to

prepare our goods, which make them adorable and gor-

geous. Our buyer can always be sure that all our goods

are of the highest quality.

Why did you establish company in England?

We decided to establish our company in England, be-

cause one of our owners lives in there. England is a big

country with a developed jewellery market, so the deci-

sion came itself.

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To represent yourself in Baltic region you

choose Estonia?

When our company developed, people started to know

us and to buy our brand goods; we decided to expand

Estonia, because it has good connection with Scandinavian

countries, Baltic region and the rest of Europe.

To which exhibitions in Baltic region do you

go to? Which one is the best?

We participated in many countries like Poland, Finland,

and Germany etc.

In the Baltic region we have been in the “Amber Trip”

exhibition in Vilnius. Concerning the amount of compa-

nies exhibiting, it is a small exhibition. In spite of it, we

because you meet people and customers from many dif-

ferent countries.

you are creating your own brand name. Why

WE CHOSE ESTONIA, because it has good connection with SCANDINAVIAN countries, BALTIC REGION and the rest of EUROPE

Who makes design for your jewellery?

I bring the ideas to my designers, after they draw and

make the jewellery, so I could say that it is our teamwork.

I also always appreciate when somebody gives new ideas

that we can discuss together.

Where is your jewellery manufactured?

The jewellery is manufactured in many countries like

Italy, other European countries and also Asia. It depends

from materials that are used in jewellery. Sometimes for

making one piece of jewellery we need to bring materials

from different countries. All our effort and soul is put to

prepare our goods, which make them adorable and gor-

geous. Our buyer can always be sure that all our goods

are of the highest quality.

Why did you establish company in England?

We decided to establish our company in England, be-

cause one of our owners lives in there. England is a big

country with a developed jewellery market, so the deci-

sion came itself.

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did you make such decision? After all, it is dif-

-

nies. Is your brand name getting more popular?

We do not compete with other brand companies; we

own niche in the jewellery market. The main difference

from the other brand companies is that all our goods are

made from rhodium plated silver with natural stones like

amethyst, topaz, different colour of quartz, fresh water

pearl etc. Of course it is not easy, but time is passing and

our brand is becoming more and more known and popu-

lar. Much effort is put to introduce our brand to other

people and other companies.

So far, where do you receive the most de-

mand in Baltic region?

The most demand in Baltic region we receive in Latvia

and Estonia.

What do you think of r ussian market?

Russia is a big country with a large jewellery market

with its own manufacturers of jewellery. To be involved in

Russian jewellery market would open plenty of opportuni-

its custom laws and duties.

What is the price range of your products per

unit?

In spite of the high quality of our goods our prices

are affordable for everybody. The price range is from 10

EUR–150 EUR.

Lithuania

Latvia

Kaliningrad Region

Belarus

Estonia

REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA

EU, NATOCapital Tallinn

EstonianCurrency Euro (EUR)Time zone EET (UTC+2) – Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)Area – 45 227 km2

Population (2013) 1 286 540 Government Parliamentary republicPresident Toomas Hendrik IlvePrime Minister Andrus AnsipGDP (PPP) Per capita (2012) 17 117 EUREthnic groups

69.0% Estonians,31.0 % others

Largest citiesTallinn 416 144Tartu 101 169Narva 65 886

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The concept of country pavilions launched in previ-

ous years has proved successful, and this year Sri Lanka

was well-represented as another Gemstone Nation at

Gemworld Munich. Together with the Brazilian Pavilion

and the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA

) Pavilion, more than 20 dealers offering the best qual-

ity raw materials from the most coveted regions of the

world were gathered together in the tightest of spaces.

The Gemworld Pavilion – the nucleus of the event – also

unveiled a new look this year and was rightly the centre of

attention, both visually and on account of the illustrious

names of the companies represented within.

GEMSTONES FROM OUTER SPACEThe special exhibition in Hall B6, “Pallavine – A Glint

from Space” proved to be a real visitor magnet. Under

the motto “small is beautiful”, the precious contents of a

meteorite found in Indonesia were displayed in four glass

cases. This meteorite is the only specimen found so far

Thanks to their spectacular history, these gemstones from

the olivine family engendered a huge amount of fascina-

tion and ensured amazement throughout the entire dura-

tion of the fair.

A GOLDEN JUBILEE THAT LIVES UP TO ITS NAMENext to Gemworld Munich was the Munich Show –

Mineralientage München, under whose umbrella three

further fair worlds opened their doors. Anyone with

the time to look around was rewarded with some very

interesting special exhibitions and fascinating natural re-

sources from areas which are devoted primarily to private

audiences. As it was the 50th anniversary of the overall

event, the overarching theme for the special exhibitions

was “GOLD”. In the minerals exhibition, the organisers

set up a treasure chest for the occasion, which provoked

wide eyes and enthusiasm in more than just amateur min-

eralogists. About 350 gold bars and nuggets from inter-

national museums and private collections, some of them

world-famous, went on display behind thick bulletproof

glass. In addition, Elvis Presley's gold phone and biathlete

Magdalena Neuner's gold medals served as examples of

“Gold of Mankind”. The golden jubilee was celebrated on

Friday evening in a specially constructed beer tent with

typical Bavarian dishes and a rousing Oktoberfest band.

If you were to use Gemworld Munich as the last mood

evaluator of the autumn period, then it would appear that

the currently cloudy outlook in the industry is showing

signs of brightening up and helping many exhibitors to

healthier year-end statements. In any case, thanks to its

layout – and not just the beautiful autumn weather – this

extraordinary event left visitors with a positive overall im-

pression. The next Gemworld Munich will take place on

the grounds of the Münchner Messe from 24th to 26th

October 2014.

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The concept of country pavilions launched in previ-

ous years has proved successful, and this year Sri Lanka

was well-represented as another Gemstone Nation at

Gemworld Munich. Together with the Brazilian Pavilion

and the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA

) Pavilion, more than 20 dealers offering the best qual-

ity raw materials from the most coveted regions of the

world were gathered together in the tightest of spaces.

The Gemworld Pavilion – the nucleus of the event – also

unveiled a new look this year and was rightly the centre of

attention, both visually and on account of the illustrious

names of the companies represented within.

GEMSTONES FROM OUTER SPACEThe special exhibition in Hall B6, “Pallavine – A Glint

from Space” proved to be a real visitor magnet. Under

the motto “small is beautiful”, the precious contents of a

meteorite found in Indonesia were displayed in four glass

cases. This meteorite is the only specimen found so far

Thanks to their spectacular history, these gemstones from

the olivine family engendered a huge amount of fascina-

tion and ensured amazement throughout the entire dura-

tion of the fair.

A GOLDEN JUBILEE THAT LIVES UP TO ITS NAMENext to Gemworld Munich was the Munich Show –

Mineralientage München, under whose umbrella three

further fair worlds opened their doors. Anyone with

the time to look around was rewarded with some very

interesting special exhibitions and fascinating natural re-

sources from areas which are devoted primarily to private

audiences. As it was the 50th anniversary of the overall

event, the overarching theme for the special exhibitions

was “GOLD”. In the minerals exhibition, the organisers

set up a treasure chest for the occasion, which provoked

wide eyes and enthusiasm in more than just amateur min-

eralogists. About 350 gold bars and nuggets from inter-

national museums and private collections, some of them

world-famous, went on display behind thick bulletproof

glass. In addition, Elvis Presley's gold phone and biathlete

Magdalena Neuner's gold medals served as examples of

“Gold of Mankind”. The golden jubilee was celebrated on

Friday evening in a specially constructed beer tent with

typical Bavarian dishes and a rousing Oktoberfest band.

If you were to use Gemworld Munich as the last mood

evaluator of the autumn period, then it would appear that

the currently cloudy outlook in the industry is showing

signs of brightening up and helping many exhibitors to

healthier year-end statements. In any case, thanks to its

layout – and not just the beautiful autumn weather – this

extraordinary event left visitors with a positive overall im-

pression. The next Gemworld Munich will take place on

the grounds of the Münchner Messe from 24th to 26th

October 2014.

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JEWELLERY & GEM Fair Europe meets the industry’s demands 99

already bookedReport by Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe Press Office

Freiburg, Germany – Leading representatives of

the international jewellery and gemstone industry has

expressed the need for an appropriate and commercially

focused jewellery sourcing platform in Europe. With the

Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe, UBM has responded by pro-

viding such a platform, at the cross roads of the industry’s

most important hubs, such as Antwerp, Idar-Oberstein,

Pforzheim, or in Switzerland and northern Italy. UBM, one

of the world’s leading organisers of jewellery fairs will

launch the highly anticipated Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe

on 1–4 April 2014 at Messe Freiburg.

Antonio Jakubowski, CEO of Vilma GmbH comments

“We are expecting the jewellery & Gem Fair Europe to

create a shining platform for international and European

buyers, sellers and manufacturers. So far this form of

framework has been absent in the industry, except on a

highly illustrious level and not for the broader jewellery

market at an international level. The positioning as the

exhibitors from luxury and mid-level jewellery, was devel-

oped to meet these industry’s vital demands”.

“To date, 400+ exhibitors, from 25 countries and re-

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JEWELLERY & GEM Fair Europe meets the industry’s demands 99

already bookedReport by Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe Press Office

Freiburg, Germany – Leading representatives of

the international jewellery and gemstone industry has

expressed the need for an appropriate and commercially

focused jewellery sourcing platform in Europe. With the

Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe, UBM has responded by pro-

viding such a platform, at the cross roads of the industry’s

most important hubs, such as Antwerp, Idar-Oberstein,

Pforzheim, or in Switzerland and northern Italy. UBM, one

of the world’s leading organisers of jewellery fairs will

launch the highly anticipated Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe

on 1–4 April 2014 at Messe Freiburg.

Antonio Jakubowski, CEO of Vilma GmbH comments

“We are expecting the jewellery & Gem Fair Europe to

create a shining platform for international and European

buyers, sellers and manufacturers. So far this form of

framework has been absent in the industry, except on a

highly illustrious level and not for the broader jewellery

market at an international level. The positioning as the

exhibitors from luxury and mid-level jewellery, was devel-

oped to meet these industry’s vital demands”.

“To date, 400+ exhibitors, from 25 countries and re-

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France

Czech Republic

Germany

Austria

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

EU, NATOCapital Berlin

GermanCurrency Euro (EUR)Time zone CET (UTC+1) – Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)Area – 357 021 km2 Population (2012) 81 305 856Government Federal parliamentary constitutional republicPresident Joachim GauckChancellor Angela MerkelGDP (PPP) Per capita 28 873 EUREthnic groups

91.5% German8.5% others

Largest citiesBerlin 3471 756Hamburg 1 786 448Bavaria 1 353 186

Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs, UBM Asia.

Among the exhibitors are names such as Richard Hans

Becker GmbH & Co KG, Friedrich Binder, Dily's Collection,

Emil Weis KG, Herbert Giloy & Söhne GmbH & Co KG,

Gustav O Hahn OHG, Karp Jewellery Mfg HK Ltd., Ph cock

sons, Pranda Jewelry Public Co Ltd, RMC Gems HK Co.

Ltd., Thien Po Ltd, plus many more.

“Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe is an important platform

for sourcing jewellery, combining the entire industry, un-

der one roof, while also learning industry knowledge and

current trends”, praises Giloy, Herbert & Soehne GmbH

& Co. KG, “the concept for the exhibition’s location

was to establish the event in the three-country triangle

of Germany, bordering France and Switzerland. Europe,

and especially Germany, has exceptionally high appeal for

exhibitors from all over the world, due to its sustained

economic power. Germany and this entire region are also

internationally renowned for quality of the jewellery pro-

duced, quality and innovations of designs and the distin-

guished craftsmanship.

Michael Thiel, Head of Sales at Giloy, Herbert & Sons

explains “The training and skill development in Germany

and surrounding regions is extremely high, making design,

product development and manufacturing in this region in-

ternationally recognised. In addition to this, the technical

becoming increasingly important. All of these things have

a direct impact on trends, such as sustainability, and mak-

ing quality jewellery in Germany and Europe unmistake-

able. For so long the label ‘Made in Europe’ or ‘Made in

Germany’ has been held with very high esteem”.

“With Jewellery and Gem Fair Europe, held at Messe

Freiburg, our hope is to establish a high quality and valuable

sourcing platform alongside the experiences of the world

renowned Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair”, explains

Celine Lau,”Freiburg is the ideal location for this show, with

its high ease of transport to Freiburg and the fair grounds,

and also being located at the heart of Europe”.

About the organiser

UBM Asia, organiser of highly professional, interna-

tional, global jewellery trade fairs creates possibilities for

business in the jewellery industry throughout the world.

More than 100,000 commercial agents visit the UBM Asia

jewellery trade fairs, where more than 9,500 exhibitors

from around the globe are registered. The Hong Kong

Jewellery & Gem Fair, which took place in September 2013,

is the world's leading trade fair with over 3,500 exhibitors

and around 5,2000 visitors. The regular trade fair taking

place in June is Asia's biggest international mid-year trade

fair in the jewellery industry. Furthermore, UBM Asia or-

ganises jewellery trade fairs in Shenzhen, Guangzhou and

Shanghai in China; Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata

und Mumbai in India; Japan; Istanbul in Turkey; Singapore;

Taiwan; Freiburg in Germany and Moscow as well as St

Petersburg in Russia.

› http://www.JGF-Europe.com

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For already 3 years Sanna Svedestedt and Karin

Roy Andersson announce winners of “The Nobel

Jewellery Prize” in their blog “Diagonal”. Check it

on http://klimt02.net/ They created their own award to

spread the word of their talented colleagues. The Baltic

Jewellery News was very exited about this unique idea

and asked authors to share it with our readers.

On December 10th the annual banquet celebrating

the Nobel Prize winners of 2013 was held in Stockholm.

This can only mean one thing – it is high time for us to

announce the Nobel Jewellery Prizes 2013.

PHYSICS Looking at the work of Frieda Dörfer can make you

question what it is your eyes are telling you. The engraved

Physics > Neckpiece by Frieda DÖRFER Title: Terror Vacui

Materials: brass, engraved (engine turning), blackened Size: 10 x 33 x 7 cm

Photo by Andreas KRUFCZIK

THE NOBEL Jewellery Prize 2013Sanna Svedestedt & Karin Roy Andersson / [email protected] | www.karin-roy.se

Karin Roy Andersson Sanna Svedestedt

Medicine > Brooches by Carole DELTENRE Title: Nymphs

Materials: porcelana and silver Photo by: Carole DELTENRE

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For already 3 years Sanna Svedestedt and Karin

Roy Andersson announce winners of “The Nobel

Jewellery Prize” in their blog “Diagonal”. Check it

on http://klimt02.net/ They created their own award to

spread the word of their talented colleagues. The Baltic

Jewellery News was very exited about this unique idea

and asked authors to share it with our readers.

On December 10th the annual banquet celebrating

the Nobel Prize winners of 2013 was held in Stockholm.

This can only mean one thing – it is high time for us to

announce the Nobel Jewellery Prizes 2013.

PHYSICS Looking at the work of Frieda Dörfer can make you

question what it is your eyes are telling you. The engraved

Physics > Neckpiece by Frieda DÖRFER Title: Terror Vacui

Materials: brass, engraved (engine turning), blackened Size: 10 x 33 x 7 cm

Photo by Andreas KRUFCZIK

THE NOBEL Jewellery Prize 2013Sanna Svedestedt & Karin Roy Andersson / [email protected] | www.karin-roy.se

Karin Roy Andersson Sanna Svedestedt

Medicine > Brooches by Carole DELTENRE Title: Nymphs

Materials: porcelana and silver Photo by: Carole DELTENRE

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highly seductive. The Physics Jewellery Prize is awarded

Frieda Dörfer for creating magnetism using optical effects.

MEDICINE Carole Deltenre has highlighted the genesis of all crea-

tivity, the source of life. Wearing her pieces is a strong

and proud statement that this is something important to

defend, value and homage.

Literature The magic of really good literature is its ability to

throw you in a certain state of mind. This necklace made

by Kellie Riggs forces the wearer into both physical and

mental position. It frames your thoughts and makes you

focused and concentrated.

ECONOMYConsumption is what fuels the global economy. But

for how long will this accelerating wheel be able to spin?

Tzu-Ling Lee presents an installation of stones made of

thousands of receipts collected by her friends. The “carat”

of each stone is directly in response to how much that in-

dividual have been shopping during a period of time and

stores. The message and the aesthetic qualities are the

genuine value of these precious stones.

PEACE The intention of the Nobel Jewellery “Piece” Prize is to

bring attention to a person, instance or phenomenon that

works hard to bring more light on contemporary jewellery.

The prize of 2013 is awarded to Inger Wästberg –

collector, art historian and author of the new book on

Contemporary Swedish Art Jewellery. The book presents

thirty-one Swedish jewel-

lery artists from the 1990s

to today and explores

how jewellery has evolved

materials and techniques

to its present state of con-

cept and content.

Since the release of

the book, Wästberg has

been spreading the word

of contemporary jewel-

lery through various chan-

nels and reached large

masses. The project has

been seen on daytime TV

and in fashion magazines,

During the (real) Nobel Prize event a TV-presenter wore a

necklace by Märta Mattsson, one of the artists featured in

the book. We applaud this force of energy and dedication

to bring more light on art jewellery.

Congratulations to all the awards winners of 2013!

Now we would like to take the opportunity to thank all of

our colleagues, friends and readers for a wonderful 2013

full of exciting projects

and hard work. We wish

you a spectacular new

year and lots of creative

energy for 2014!

Literature > Kellie RIGGS Neckpiece: continuity/structure (bronze III), 2011 Materials: Patinated bronze Size: 30 x 21 x 10 cm Photo: Jack SCHOW

Peace > Contemporary Swedish Art Jewellery by Inger Wästberg, ARVINIUS+ORFEUS PUBLISHING

Economy > Installation: The lightness of life, Tzu-LING LEE 2011–2013

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PRECIOUS, THE LEADING WATCH AND JEWELLERY FAIR IN THE NORDIC REGION

During 2012, Precious strengthened its posi-

tions as the Nordic watch and jewellery indus-

try’s leading trade fair. The all-out venture was

launched in 2012 in an effort to develop Precious over the

long term. Looking back, it actually surpassed all expecta-

in 2013. The choice of Stockholm as the dynamic hub of

Scandinavian fashion and design and Stockholmsmässan,

one of Scandinavia’s prime exhibition areas, proved to be

the right move.

“Our ambition has always been to create a forum for

the watch and jewellery industry, where leading manufac-

turers, suppliers and buyers representing Sweden and the

Åsa Axelson, Project Manager at Precious

Precious is the most important meeting ground for the Nordic watch and jewellery industry. During three intensive days at Stockholmsmässan in Sweden, purchasers and suppliers are gathered from all the Nordic countries. Visitors and exhibitors are provided with rich opportunities to do business, build relations, network, spot trends and to strengthen the industry together with other important actors.

Report by Åsa Dahlqvist, Precious Press Office

Nordic region can meet new and exiting representatives

from independent watch and jewellery stores”, says Åsa

Axelson, Project Manager at Precious.

Precious 2014 is held on the 5–7 September. For three

intense days and evenings Precious gather the industry

and move it forward. The overall goal of Precious is to in-

crease the interest in the craft, to make it more attractive

and to increase business within the whole sector.

“We have breathed new life and excitement into our

passion for our craft and the desire to create beautiful and

functional objects!”, Åsa Axelson says, and welcome visi-

tors and exhibitors from the Baltic countries to participate

in Precious 2014.

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PRECIOUS, THE LEADING WATCH AND JEWELLERY FAIR IN THE NORDIC REGION

During 2012, Precious strengthened its posi-

tions as the Nordic watch and jewellery indus-

try’s leading trade fair. The all-out venture was

launched in 2012 in an effort to develop Precious over the

long term. Looking back, it actually surpassed all expecta-

in 2013. The choice of Stockholm as the dynamic hub of

Scandinavian fashion and design and Stockholmsmässan,

one of Scandinavia’s prime exhibition areas, proved to be

the right move.

“Our ambition has always been to create a forum for

the watch and jewellery industry, where leading manufac-

turers, suppliers and buyers representing Sweden and the

Åsa Axelson, Project Manager at Precious

Precious is the most important meeting ground for the Nordic watch and jewellery industry. During three intensive days at Stockholmsmässan in Sweden, purchasers and suppliers are gathered from all the Nordic countries. Visitors and exhibitors are provided with rich opportunities to do business, build relations, network, spot trends and to strengthen the industry together with other important actors.

Report by Åsa Dahlqvist, Precious Press Office

Nordic region can meet new and exiting representatives

from independent watch and jewellery stores”, says Åsa

Axelson, Project Manager at Precious.

Precious 2014 is held on the 5–7 September. For three

intense days and evenings Precious gather the industry

and move it forward. The overall goal of Precious is to in-

crease the interest in the craft, to make it more attractive

and to increase business within the whole sector.

“We have breathed new life and excitement into our

passion for our craft and the desire to create beautiful and

functional objects!”, Åsa Axelson says, and welcome visi-

tors and exhibitors from the Baltic countries to participate

in Precious 2014.

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Was it always your dream to make jewellery?

-

narian. There was just so few places to study it in Finland,

that I had to change my plans. Making jewellery was the

next natural choice, for it still allowed me to work with na-

ture (stones) and later after school I also started to deal in

my work with animal themes. This way the circle became

ready for me, and I found my place.

What materials do you mostly use in your work?

Among traditional jewellery materials like silver, I pre-

fer working especially with stones and amber, for they

represent materials and colors directly from the nature.

They provide colors, which refer to genuine and prestig-

ious value, which the stories often need. Toys and por-

to start to work with. I also love to use glass. It looks

like a very cold material, but needs enormous amount of

warmth during it´s manufacture steps. It also gets it´s start

from the nature elements.

Most of your work is little statues of animals,

what is the idea behind your art?

I think myself as a reporter. My work tells about envi-

ronmental problems and animal right issues all around us.

At the same time I connect the stories of them to us as

well; I tell about people and our relationships.

Where do you look for an inspiration?

The stories come to me. I see them on the cities, read

about them on the newspapers or watch them on TV. I

can´t hide myself from them. I feel it as my personal duty to

JEWELLERYCONNECTING ENVIRONMENT WITH PEOPLE

Interview of Odilija GUNTORIUTE with Sari LIIMATTA

"Death & Birth" 2007 Necklace 48,0 x 20,0 x 7,0 cm Amber, glass beads, garnets, fresh water pearls, peridots, pins, silver, a plastic toy, steel wire

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Was it always your dream to make jewellery?

-

narian. There was just so few places to study it in Finland,

that I had to change my plans. Making jewellery was the

next natural choice, for it still allowed me to work with na-

ture (stones) and later after school I also started to deal in

my work with animal themes. This way the circle became

ready for me, and I found my place.

What materials do you mostly use in your work?

Among traditional jewellery materials like silver, I pre-

fer working especially with stones and amber, for they

represent materials and colors directly from the nature.

They provide colors, which refer to genuine and prestig-

ious value, which the stories often need. Toys and por-

to start to work with. I also love to use glass. It looks

like a very cold material, but needs enormous amount of

warmth during it´s manufacture steps. It also gets it´s start

from the nature elements.

Most of your work is little statues of animals,

what is the idea behind your art?

I think myself as a reporter. My work tells about envi-

ronmental problems and animal right issues all around us.

At the same time I connect the stories of them to us as

well; I tell about people and our relationships.

Where do you look for an inspiration?

The stories come to me. I see them on the cities, read

about them on the newspapers or watch them on TV. I

can´t hide myself from them. I feel it as my personal duty to

JEWELLERYCONNECTING ENVIRONMENT WITH PEOPLE

Interview of Odilija GUNTORIUTE with Sari LIIMATTA

"Death & Birth" 2007 Necklace 48,0 x 20,0 x 7,0 cm Amber, glass beads, garnets, fresh water pearls, peridots, pins, silver, a plastic toy, steel wire

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bring those often sad themes to daylight. With discussion

there can be always hope to change things in the future. I

also study the past by reading about ancient cultures and

the positions, which the animals used to have those days. I

love those travels in time, symbolism and layers of stories.

Do you make wearable jewellery?

I consider all my work to be wearable, but some of

them I call jewellery sculptures. Jewellery sculptures are

sculptures, which tell about jewellery. You can kind of im-

agine how to wear them. They may become worn in mind.

How many shows have you had in 2013?

In 2013 I had my work in six international exhibitions.

One for example was held at Paläontologisches Museum

München, Germany. Others were in China, Spain, Iceland,

France and UK.

Do you participate in the international jewellery

exhibitions?

For me it is more important to participate in the inter-

national exhibitions than national ones. This way my work

and the stories have a wider audience. I also feel today´s

-

cused on traditional industrial designing. Artists are pres-

sured to found companies instead of working as freelance

artists, which I feel very narrow-minded politics. Abroad

the jewellery exhibitions are more open for artistic values,

telling stories.

REPUBLIC OF FINLAND

EU, Hallmarking ConventionCapital Helsinki

Finnish, SwedishCurrency Euro (EUR)Time zone EET (UTC+2) – Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)Area – 338 424 km2 Population (2012) 5 421 827Government Parliamentary republicPresident Sauli Niinisto Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen GDP (PPP) Per capita 26 786 EUREthnic groups

93.4% Finn6.6% others

Largest citiesHelsinki 596 233Espoo 252 730Tampere 215 315

Russia

Estonia

Finland

"Mighty" 2013 Installation (11 parts)

25,0 x 16,0 x 19,0 cm Amber, glass beads, marble,

thread (polyamide), pins, a plastic toy

"The Competition" 2006 Jewellery sculpture 41,0 x 10,5 x 17,0 cm Amber, glass beads, diabase, hematite, lava, line, onyx, fresh water pearls, pins, plastic toys

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Background: Vanessa started out with studying for

a Masters of IT in Australia but was constantly day-

dreaming of making jewellery and other crafts but

never thought it could bring an income. Her mindset was

that she had to study IT which supposedly was a “mature

and respected” way to make a living. After all, Norway

the oil and today is a country that focus strongly on oil,

Returning to Norway she got a job as a webmaster

in the world’s second largest pharmaceutical corporation,

where she started to make Swarovski Earrings sometimes

during the lunch break instead of eating. She needed to

-

tals and sparkling colours. Vanessa later on lost her job

during the early stages of the Financial crisis in 2009.

After applying for job after job in the drought season of

the early Financial Crisis, she started out creating her own

jewellery. She then embarked on a new journey claiming

the entrepreneurial spirit and creating her own jewellery

collection. Knowing nothing about how business works –

a whole new journey of learning every step up the “busi-

ness, marketing– and production” latter by her self on

-

selling at uptown stores in Oslo such as Zenon, sold also

for some time at House of Oslo, Venti Uno, Ellie & Co,

MagMalou Maggie Wonka, Diin Brudekjolebutikk, had col-

laboration for photoshoots with the upcoming Norwegian

-

saw yrellewej eht erehw 2102 yawroN dlroW ssiM rof ros

shown to over 50 million people. Vanessa discovered one

evening while working and watching TV her earrings on

princess Märtha-Louise on a popular TV-Show called

“Senkveld med Harald& Thomas” and was quite surprised

by it. Vanessa was also asked to design for the Norwegian

bridal dresses company Agape and also the Norwegian

From the left Vanessa g unnestad c EO & c reative Director of t he n orway

tFASHION IS POLITICS

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Background: Vanessa started out with studying for

a Masters of IT in Australia but was constantly day-

dreaming of making jewellery and other crafts but

never thought it could bring an income. Her mindset was

that she had to study IT which supposedly was a “mature

and respected” way to make a living. After all, Norway

the oil and today is a country that focus strongly on oil,

Returning to Norway she got a job as a webmaster

in the world’s second largest pharmaceutical corporation,

where she started to make Swarovski Earrings sometimes

during the lunch break instead of eating. She needed to

-

tals and sparkling colours. Vanessa later on lost her job

during the early stages of the Financial crisis in 2009.

After applying for job after job in the drought season of

the early Financial Crisis, she started out creating her own

jewellery. She then embarked on a new journey claiming

the entrepreneurial spirit and creating her own jewellery

collection. Knowing nothing about how business works –

a whole new journey of learning every step up the “busi-

ness, marketing– and production” latter by her self on

-

selling at uptown stores in Oslo such as Zenon, sold also

for some time at House of Oslo, Venti Uno, Ellie & Co,

MagMalou Maggie Wonka, Diin Brudekjolebutikk, had col-

laboration for photoshoots with the upcoming Norwegian

-

saw yrellewej eht erehw 2102 yawroN dlroW ssiM rof ros

shown to over 50 million people. Vanessa discovered one

evening while working and watching TV her earrings on

princess Märtha-Louise on a popular TV-Show called

“Senkveld med Harald& Thomas” and was quite surprised

by it. Vanessa was also asked to design for the Norwegian

bridal dresses company Agape and also the Norwegian

From the left Vanessa g unnestad c EO & c reative Director of t he n orway

tFASHION IS POLITICS

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airline company called Norwegian

amongst others.

JEWELLERY WITH A MESSAGESince the tragedy happened in

Oslo and Utøya 22nd of July 2011

Vanessa designed a jewellery that

was her tribute to the victims, sur-

dellac snik fo txen eht dna sroviv

“Ja vi elsker” which means “Yes we

love”, – it was also a love message

to the Norwegian fashion design-

ers to embrace Norwegian design

and their effort to stand up and try-

assenaV .srengised sa evivrus ot gni

Earlier that year Vanessa had a trip

to Thailand and got introduced to

the work to help people out of traf-

the most was the reports of small

children found in garbage bins after

being sold by evil people and abused

by evil people. Vanessa designed a

jewellery that she wanted to sell and

promote for those homes. It is a pen-

dant with a baby saying “I am not

for sale”.

FASHION IS POLITICSLater on Vanessa was asked to

2012 which she designed some spe-

cial designed jewellery and gave to

the winners. Unfortunately the three

winners were go-go dancers in bars

in Oslo and thus the rules of Miss

Universe are quiet strict and The

beginning of the contract that jew-

ellery had to be under no circum-

stances promoted or displayed in

context of pornographic matters as

-

ly against the sex-industry thus being

a ambassador of protecting human

was furious and contacted both the

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KINGDOM OF NORWAY

Hallmarking ConventionCapital Oslo

NorwegianCurrency Norwegian krone (NOK); 1 EUR – 7.4350 NOKTime zone CET (UTC+1) – Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)Area 385 252 km2

Population (2012) 5 033 675Government Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchyKing King Harald VPrime Minister Erna Solberg GDP (PPP) Per capita 39 526 EUREthnic groups

86.2% Norwegians13.8% others

Largest citiesOslo 876 391Bergen 257 752Stavanger/Sandnes 189 828

Sweden

Norway

›

For more info and how to buy the jewellery go to

where the replies were more in lines with Bill Clinton com-

municating during the Monica Lewinsky case. Vanessa

stood her grounds and claimed the logos and everything

-

ing all the jewellery back, which she never got back. She

believes in building her business on higher standards.

2013 started on a low and Vanessa got sick for most

of the year and also her mother died from long time illness

with MS. Her boyfriend Tobias stepped in to take care of

Vanessa who fully recovered in August after being ill since

the beginning of February. Today she is slowly building up

the company again in social medias and hopes to produce

a line of clothes and accessories in the future, there is also

a book on the horizon teaching how to make some select-

ed jewellery models. Now they are also doing an online

videoblogging course at videoblogging.no that soon will

available at videoblogging.tv in English. Teaching people

how to videoblog and communicate through social me-

dias.

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KINGDOM OF NORWAY

Hallmarking ConventionCapital Oslo

NorwegianCurrency Norwegian krone (NOK); 1 EUR – 7.4350 NOKTime zone CET (UTC+1) – Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)Area 385 252 km2

Population (2012) 5 033 675Government Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchyKing King Harald VPrime Minister Erna Solberg GDP (PPP) Per capita 39 526 EUREthnic groups

86.2% Norwegians13.8% others

Largest citiesOslo 876 391Bergen 257 752Stavanger/Sandnes 189 828

Sweden

Norway

›

For more info and how to buy the jewellery go to

where the replies were more in lines with Bill Clinton com-

municating during the Monica Lewinsky case. Vanessa

stood her grounds and claimed the logos and everything

-

ing all the jewellery back, which she never got back. She

believes in building her business on higher standards.

2013 started on a low and Vanessa got sick for most

of the year and also her mother died from long time illness

with MS. Her boyfriend Tobias stepped in to take care of

Vanessa who fully recovered in August after being ill since

the beginning of February. Today she is slowly building up

the company again in social medias and hopes to produce

a line of clothes and accessories in the future, there is also

a book on the horizon teaching how to make some select-

ed jewellery models. Now they are also doing an online

videoblogging course at videoblogging.no that soon will

available at videoblogging.tv in English. Teaching people

how to videoblog and communicate through social me-

dias.

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yOur a DVErtis [email protected]

72


Could you please present your company

My company Sage Amber started amber wholesale

amber distributors in China. In 2003, after we started co-

operating with S&A, the biggest and best amber producer

in Poland with such recognizable designs and high qual-

ity work in amber market, we decided to ask to become

their exclusive distributor in China and the authorization

was granted at the end of 2003. In 2004 we started S&A

brand franchise shops in China. And now, after 10 years

of hard work, S&A is recognized as the top amber brand

by all the department stores in China and by the public.

CHINAS’ HUNGER FOR AMBER –

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

The boom of Baltic amber industry 20 years ago

was a result of the famous movie “Jurassic Park”

by Steven Spielberg. Today amber industry

is in the peak for a more sustainable reason,

the continuing growth of China. The growing

Chinese middle class can afford luxury goods

now, thus enabling amber business to prosper.

Baltic Jewellery news interviewed Vivian yang

on her views on how long the prosperity of

Baltic amber industry would last.

Vivian yang (forth from the left) at “s&a jewellery design” collection presentation

Interview of Odilija GUNTORIUTE with Vivian YANG

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Could you please present your company

My company Sage Amber started amber wholesale

amber distributors in China. In 2003, after we started co-

operating with S&A, the biggest and best amber producer

in Poland with such recognizable designs and high qual-

ity work in amber market, we decided to ask to become

their exclusive distributor in China and the authorization

was granted at the end of 2003. In 2004 we started S&A

brand franchise shops in China. And now, after 10 years

of hard work, S&A is recognized as the top amber brand

by all the department stores in China and by the public.

CHINAS’ HUNGER FOR AMBER –

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

The boom of Baltic amber industry 20 years ago

was a result of the famous movie “Jurassic Park”

by Steven Spielberg. Today amber industry

is in the peak for a more sustainable reason,

the continuing growth of China. The growing

Chinese middle class can afford luxury goods

now, thus enabling amber business to prosper.

Baltic Jewellery news interviewed Vivian yang

on her views on how long the prosperity of

Baltic amber industry would last.

Vivian yang (forth from the left) at “s&a jewellery design” collection presentation

Interview of Odilija GUNTORIUTE with Vivian YANG

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How many stores do you have? How many work-

ers do you have?

The number of stores is constantly growing. Now we

35 employees working in sales, marketing, inventory and

Do you do manufacturing?

I don’t do manufacturing. My focus is on building the

retail brand. S&A in Poland concentrates on design and

manufacturing of jewellery and supplies 80% of total col-

lections we have in all the S&A shops, and the remaining

20% are outsourced to other manufacturers.

Is your business concentrated more on whole-

sale or retail?

As I already explained we are concentrated on retail

much more although a part of our business is also whole-

saling to all amber jewellery dealers with mostly products

without metal setting and characteristics of our brand,

e.g., beads, bracelets and necklaces, pendants without

setting, amber sculptures, etc.

When was the time that you understood that

this was the right business to enter?

amber distributors in China. At the beginning the market

was very small and amber was not recognized by most of

the customers as a gemstone. The sales were not great but

on the other hand I almost didn’t have any competition,

which made it easy for me to sustain the business com-

fortably. Since 2009, the amber market started booming.

There are more and more investors starting amber busi-

ness. Amber has become more popular, more expensive

and sells much faster and in much bigger quantities. My

advantage of entering amber business so early was better

revealed when the market started to boom because when

ways to learn about the design, the taste, the producers...

I already had all the knowledge and resources at hand to

enjoy the boom.

Vivian, you started your career as a translator,

now you have over 100 amber jewellery shops in

China, when did you begin your business what were

your fears?

I started my career as a translator working for a 85

million dollar loan World Bank poverty reduction project

undertaken by the company I worked for. When the com-

pany built a 2000 square meter jewellery trading centre in

Guangzhou in 1997, I was appointed the General Manager

in Hong Kong Jewellery Fair of 1997. I went there to buy

some jewellery because we had some space still available

and we wanted to run our own jewellery shop with that

space stocked. I knew nothing about amber then but I

was attracted by it, and amber was very affordable then.

After several purchases, I approached Mr. Roman Talis

from Amber # 1 company asking for support and terms of

more serious cooperation. Here I really would like to use

this opportunity to thank Mr. Roman Talis for the trust he

had in me to consign goods for me to sell almost without

any risk to take in 1998. That is how I started my business

in amber.

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At the beginning when there was almost no aware-

ness about amber in China, therefore almost no clients,

my greatest fear was never about the possibility of losing

money since the merchandise was for consignment and I

could return whatever I could not sell, the fear was more

about losing the trust.

Although your success is overwhelming, you

have kept the tradition to touch every piece of jew-

ellery yourself before you buy it. What is it that you

are looking for each time?

I think my success has partly come from the fact that I

really love amber and I feel for it. Customers also feel the

soul of our amber design when they come to our shops.

Even after so many years in amber business, I haven’t got

tired of amber at all. I always joke that I enjoy buying

amber much more than selling it. When I buy, I look for

the following factors in the order of priority: the quality

of amber, the setting design and quality and the price.

amber? How much has your business grown since

then?

I noticed that the Baltic amber boom started in 2009.

Since then, our sales have grown a few times although

-

The amber price rise since 2009 is

still continuing, and it is at its high-

est now, how long do you think it

will last?

In my opinion, the rapidly ris-

ing price of amber is very danger-

ous for the industry. A very good

example is jade in China. In the

last couple of years, the jade price

also jumped to a rocket high price.

Now, the market is stuck. The price

is high, and people cannot afford it

any more. But if the price starts to go

down, Chinese people, with the mental-

ity of always buying for investment with

value gaining perspective, will stop buying

completely.

Could you name top exhibitions you go to look

for new suppliers?

Amberif and Ambermart are the only two shows

I am attending now because I only deal with amber.

March 2014 looking for new suppliers from Lithuania.

What are your efforts to promote amber and

sustain its popularity?

Together with S&A company in Poland and my part-

ner Adam Pstragowski, we do a lot of amber promotion

in China. The Shanghai World Expo in 2010 saw the huge

success of amber selling in Polish Pavilion and helped a lot

to make amber recognized by the public. We are also in-

volved in almost all the Polish events held in China, show-

ing Baltic amber to the public as the national treasure of

Poland. We had an annual promotion agreement with the

most popular fashion magazine and jewellery magazine

in China. Twice a year, we host two major amber fashion

shows in the most prestigious department stores, one in

Shenzhen and one in Beijing, inviting a lot of amber lov-

ers, celebrities and media.

S&A company has received a lot of awards,

which ones were the most important for you?

I am very proud to be the exclusive distributor for

S&A in China because it is really strong and advanced in

design, which is very crucial for the development of the

brand. All those awards S&A had won are equally impor-

tant because it shows the appreciation of our design by

different people.

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At the beginning when there was almost no aware-

ness about amber in China, therefore almost no clients,

my greatest fear was never about the possibility of losing

money since the merchandise was for consignment and I

could return whatever I could not sell, the fear was more

about losing the trust.

Although your success is overwhelming, you

have kept the tradition to touch every piece of jew-

ellery yourself before you buy it. What is it that you

are looking for each time?

I think my success has partly come from the fact that I

really love amber and I feel for it. Customers also feel the

soul of our amber design when they come to our shops.

Even after so many years in amber business, I haven’t got

tired of amber at all. I always joke that I enjoy buying

amber much more than selling it. When I buy, I look for

the following factors in the order of priority: the quality

of amber, the setting design and quality and the price.

amber? How much has your business grown since

then?

I noticed that the Baltic amber boom started in 2009.

Since then, our sales have grown a few times although

-

The amber price rise since 2009 is

still continuing, and it is at its high-

est now, how long do you think it

will last?

In my opinion, the rapidly ris-

ing price of amber is very danger-

ous for the industry. A very good

example is jade in China. In the

last couple of years, the jade price

also jumped to a rocket high price.

Now, the market is stuck. The price

is high, and people cannot afford it

any more. But if the price starts to go

down, Chinese people, with the mental-

ity of always buying for investment with

value gaining perspective, will stop buying

completely.

Could you name top exhibitions you go to look

for new suppliers?

Amberif and Ambermart are the only two shows

I am attending now because I only deal with amber.

March 2014 looking for new suppliers from Lithuania.

What are your efforts to promote amber and

sustain its popularity?

Together with S&A company in Poland and my part-

ner Adam Pstragowski, we do a lot of amber promotion

in China. The Shanghai World Expo in 2010 saw the huge

success of amber selling in Polish Pavilion and helped a lot

to make amber recognized by the public. We are also in-

volved in almost all the Polish events held in China, show-

ing Baltic amber to the public as the national treasure of

Poland. We had an annual promotion agreement with the

most popular fashion magazine and jewellery magazine

in China. Twice a year, we host two major amber fashion

shows in the most prestigious department stores, one in

Shenzhen and one in Beijing, inviting a lot of amber lov-

ers, celebrities and media.

S&A company has received a lot of awards,

which ones were the most important for you?

I am very proud to be the exclusive distributor for

S&A in China because it is really strong and advanced in

design, which is very crucial for the development of the

brand. All those awards S&A had won are equally impor-

tant because it shows the appreciation of our design by

different people.

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77


Tparticipants of Jeweller Expo Ukraine are the

300 leading companies from Ukraine, Belgium,

Georgia, Italy, China, Lithuania, Turkey, Poland,

and Russia.

metals business took part in the exposition. The diversity

of the represented products was indeed impressive. The

range of styles was quite large. Silver products were rang-

ing from tableware to unique author works for admirers

of original products. Gold astonished with the multiple

form and combinations both in the mass market items and

exclusive works. The exhibition allowed visitors diving into

the atmosphere of ancient jewelry traditions and simul-

taneously appreciate the latest trends, as jewelry is still a

symbol of beauty, luxury and welfare.

The Best Jewelry of the Year

On the 16th of November, the totals of the Best

Jewelry of the Year contest held during the exhibition

were summed up. The laureates and the award winners of

contest were announced. Both participants and exhibition

items.

The competent jury consisting of the leading art crit-

ics and renowned jewelers summarized the results of the

contest. In general, 71 works had been offered for it.

The contest winner and the winner of the Grand Prize

was Andrii A. Kovalyk for the table set “The Miracle of St.

George”.

Abundance of bright events at the Jeweller Expo Ukraine 2013 international exhibition

Report by Jeweller Expo Ukraine press office

The 26th edition of the Jeweller Expo u

the 14th till the 17th of november, about 30,000 visitors came to KyivExpoPlaza exhibition center

to admire the brightest jewelry. r epresentatives of more than 300 jewelry companies from 9

countries gathered in the capital city of ukraine to show their products and tell about the trends

of the season.

In the series of the events of the same day another

important event was held, i.e. the ceremony of awarding

the outstanding jewelers of Ukraine with the awards of

Carl Faberge International Memorial Fund.

of all due to professional approach to organization of the

event, which ensured quality and quantity characteristics

of the participants and visitors, and preparation of unique

and extremely interesting program of events.

The Jeweller Expo Ukraine exhibition has once again

proved its status of the main industry exhibition event of

Ukraine!

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The world jewelry and watch industry will gath-

er at one of the most important events of the

year at Istanbul Jewelry Show March on 20–23

March 2014 in six halls of Istanbul Fair Center (CNR

Expo). The four-day event will occupy more than 60,000

square metres of exhibition space and gather over 1200

exhibitors from 25 countries with an extensive display of

the latest products and trends exclusive for industry pro-

fessionals. UBM Rotaforte is UBM Asia’s JV company in

Turkey.

Gold jewelry, diamond jewelry, diamonds & pearls,

silver jewelry, mountings, watches, machinery, tools &

equipments, display units, packaging, security devices and

softwares will be displayed just for industry professionals.

With Turkey’s strategic location, Istanbul Jewelry

Show March has a unique positioning as an important

marketplace for both Europe and the Middle East, serv-

ing as the gateway for the World jewelry industry and

an outstanding trading hub for countries in the EU, the

Middle and Near East, Russia and the CIS Nations, Eastern

Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean providing

the best opportunities to source new psoducts, meet and

technological innovations.

Turkish jewellery is both an art and a craft. Inspired by

5,000 years of cultural and historical heritage in Anatolia

and combined with the latest technology, outstanding

-

the shortest delivery time, Istanbul Jewelry Show March

is an ideal place to source products in every category of

price and quality, from price point merchandise to high-

ISTANBUL JEWELRY SHOW MARCH The Largest March Edition To Date

end design Jewellery for the coming spring-sumer and au-

tumn retail season orders.

Istanbul Jewelry Show March is supported by the

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organisation

by the Union of International Fairs (UFI) and the Quality

Management System ISO-9001, ensuring that it repre-

sents an outstanding international trade event serving

the fast growing domestic and international markets sur-

rounding Turkey.

The exhibition halls are designed and grouped

by product in order to save time and increase ef-

be international pavilions from Hong Kong, Italy

and Thailand.

Report by Rotaforte Press Office

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Michał k osior Vice-President of IAA

What are the goals of the Interna-

tional Amber Association?

Our goals were formulated back in

1996, when the IAA was founded, and in-

clude mainly: to develop a system for Baltic

-

ing house; to work with schools, with local

and national government authorities on

amber extraction and crafting; to stimu-

late amber research and the exploration

of amber deposits; to work with science centres; and to

provide education and training. At present, our most im-

and to promote it in the global market. The International

Amber Association has 250 individual members and many

of them have their own agenda which coincides with the

Association’s. We do our best to support our members’

initiatives and create synergies in the process.

Looking back to 2013, which projects initiated by

the International Amber Association do you think

were the most important?

Last year we focused mainly on publishing, informa-

tion and promotion campaigns. Our main projects includ-

ed participating in the Baltic Amber Festival ran by the

IAA’s Ambassador to China Nancy Chui and in the Beijing

First International Amber Fair. We take part in Polish and

Lithuanian amber trade exhibitions in order to always

keep in touch with the customers.

In August, at Ambermart Gdańsk, we organised the

Understanding Amber Training Course. We have noticed

that even those who sell amber may have serious gaps in

their knowledge about it. This one-day course gives the

people who work with amber the essential information,

including: the location of amber deposits, the origin of

-

geries and how to recognise them and

many other topics. The course proved

to be a big success, which is why we

are planning more editions, with English

translation as well. Speaking about edu-

cation, I cannot fail to mention our book-

lets about Baltic amber, which we publish

in many languages, including Chinese and

Japanese. Last year, we printed nearly

20,000 copies and had more than 10,000

PDF downloads from our website.

Very importantly, last year we worked

with journalists from jewellery magazines

and elsewhere. It is mainly through our contacts with

journalists that information about amber and IAA activi-

ties can reach wide audiences worldwide. The Promotion

Programme for the Jewellery and Amber Industry run by

Poland’s Ministry of Economy has allowed us to invite sev-

eral trade journalists from the USA, China, Italy, Germany

and Japan to Amberif Gdańsk. Their reports have had a

resounding effect. We provided them with IAA amber

info packs in order to promote Baltic amber as a perfect

jewellery material. The media’s interest in amber is now

-

ingly better amber jewellery design but also to increased

amber prices.

A very important project, which we will certainly

continue, is the STOP Illegal Amber Mining campaign.

In November, together with the seaside municipality of

Stegna and the Elbląg Forest Authority, we planted pine

trees in the areas degraded by illegal mining.

We also have something for the kids: an international

school competition titled School on the Amber Route,

which we have run for six years now. The competition al-

lows us to tell children about amber’s place in the history

of humankind and what role trade routes, including the

Amber Route, played in the development of Europe and

the world.

PRESENTING INTERNATIONAL AMBER ASSOCIATIONInterview with Michał kos Ior by Odilija GUNTORIUTE

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Michał k osior Vice-President of IAA

What are the goals of the Interna-

tional Amber Association?

Our goals were formulated back in

1996, when the IAA was founded, and in-

clude mainly: to develop a system for Baltic

-

ing house; to work with schools, with local

and national government authorities on

amber extraction and crafting; to stimu-

late amber research and the exploration

of amber deposits; to work with science centres; and to

provide education and training. At present, our most im-

and to promote it in the global market. The International

Amber Association has 250 individual members and many

of them have their own agenda which coincides with the

Association’s. We do our best to support our members’

initiatives and create synergies in the process.

Looking back to 2013, which projects initiated by

the International Amber Association do you think

were the most important?

Last year we focused mainly on publishing, informa-

tion and promotion campaigns. Our main projects includ-

ed participating in the Baltic Amber Festival ran by the

IAA’s Ambassador to China Nancy Chui and in the Beijing

First International Amber Fair. We take part in Polish and

Lithuanian amber trade exhibitions in order to always

keep in touch with the customers.

In August, at Ambermart Gdańsk, we organised the

Understanding Amber Training Course. We have noticed

that even those who sell amber may have serious gaps in

their knowledge about it. This one-day course gives the

people who work with amber the essential information,

including: the location of amber deposits, the origin of

-

geries and how to recognise them and

many other topics. The course proved

to be a big success, which is why we

are planning more editions, with English

translation as well. Speaking about edu-

cation, I cannot fail to mention our book-

lets about Baltic amber, which we publish

in many languages, including Chinese and

Japanese. Last year, we printed nearly

20,000 copies and had more than 10,000

PDF downloads from our website.

Very importantly, last year we worked

with journalists from jewellery magazines

and elsewhere. It is mainly through our contacts with

journalists that information about amber and IAA activi-

ties can reach wide audiences worldwide. The Promotion

Programme for the Jewellery and Amber Industry run by

Poland’s Ministry of Economy has allowed us to invite sev-

eral trade journalists from the USA, China, Italy, Germany

and Japan to Amberif Gdańsk. Their reports have had a

resounding effect. We provided them with IAA amber

info packs in order to promote Baltic amber as a perfect

jewellery material. The media’s interest in amber is now

-

ingly better amber jewellery design but also to increased

amber prices.

A very important project, which we will certainly

continue, is the STOP Illegal Amber Mining campaign.

In November, together with the seaside municipality of

Stegna and the Elbląg Forest Authority, we planted pine

trees in the areas degraded by illegal mining.

We also have something for the kids: an international

school competition titled School on the Amber Route,

which we have run for six years now. The competition al-

lows us to tell children about amber’s place in the history

of humankind and what role trade routes, including the

Amber Route, played in the development of Europe and

the world.

PRESENTING INTERNATIONAL AMBER ASSOCIATIONInterview with Michał kos Ior by Odilija GUNTORIUTE

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We ran a remarkable cooperation project with the

Villa de Bondt, Ghent (Belgium) and the Gdańsk Academy

of Fine Arts (Poland). Together, we invited 20 renowned

European designers, who had not worked with amber be-

fore, to make amber jewellery or amber objects. We sent

pieces of raw amber to them and, several months later,

they sent us back their projects. An exhibition of their work

was successfully displayed at the Ghent gallery, Amber

Museum Ribnitz-Damgarten, Amber Museum Gdańsk and

the Legnica Gallery of Art. This year, it will be further pre-

sented in other locations, including the Kaliningrad Amber

Museum. We are planning to continue this experiment.

What plans do you expect to accomplish during

2014?

This year, we want to focus on fundamental educa-

tion, especially in the Chinese market. Next to the courses,

which are scheduled to coincide with our trade exhibition

presence, we want to develop an online training course.

Many organisations are seen to be shifting basic-level

training to the World Wide Web. It will be a great aid to

companies at distant locations or those who are too busy

during trade exhibitions.

We also plan to publish several more posters to pre-

sent amber’s colours, amber inclusions and commercial

We have received offers to present amber designs by

the IAA members in several locations worldwide. I think

that an exhibition developed to present contemporary

amber design alongside abstract amber art should prove

an interesting and novel form of presentation.

Since January, we have had a new staff member who

amber products. I have been receiving positive market

feedback on it as a much needed initiative. Amber is get-

ting more and more expensive, so customers increasingly

want their valuable jewellery or raw amber to have been

goes for all gemstones.

The International Amber Association took part in

the Baltic Amber Festival in Hong Kong. What were

the goals of the Festival? How successful was it?

The Hong Kong Baltic Amber Festival was created

by our member and IAA’s Ambassador to China Nancy

Chui. Last year saw the festival’s second edition titled A

Kaleidoscope of Amber Art & Designer Jewellery from

Poland. The exhibition included works by Professor

Sławomir Fijałkowski and Mariusz Gliwiński, who ran an

amber workshop the previous year for the students of the

Hong Kong Design Institute, and by companies includ-

ing S&A, Art7, NAC Amber, Jacek Ostrowski, plus collec-

tions of natural specimens and inclusions courtesy of John

Fudala, Jonas Damzen and Doug Lundberg.

The festival’s aim was to promote Baltic amber, its

diverse history, cultural heritage and use in jewellery.

Amber in contemporary jewellery is remarkable and beau-

tiful–and yet remains little known. In principle, the BAF’s

aim is to change this, to show the collaboration between

European and Chinese designers and students. Last year,

Mariusz Gliwiński and Janko Lam, a Hong Kong fashion

designer, produced a joint jewellery and fashion show.

The fashion show in Baltic Amber Festival in Hong Kong

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Fashion shows, the experience exchange between Polish

and Chinese designers, students and teachers are all very

important and media-friendly events. The festival led to

several publications in China’s jewellery and designer

magazines. I take my hat off to Nancy Chui for the work

and effort that she and her team have put in promoting

amber and I very much look forward to the forthcoming

festivals they’ve planned.

The International Amber Association released

were the aims of this project?

The IAA’s Amber Expert Commission developed two

-

ber by colour variety, degree of transparency, impurities

and shape. This detailed categorisation can be used for

transactions based not just on weight fractions but also

on other factors, which determine how raw amber can be

used. It seems to me that the amber industry still pays too

little attention to amber sorting but treats raw amber as

a cheap material instead, the way it did 20 years ago. In

recent years, both the price and availability of amber have

changed considerably so we have to change our approach

-

ber, while an artist would rather buy amber in rare shapes

than pieces useful for mass production.

-

sponse to the global trend to identify gemstones by name,

as described in the Blue Book published by CIBJO–The

World Jewellery Confederation. According to the world’s

gemstone organisations (CIBJO, AGTA, GIA; or ICA, of

which the IAA is a member), whoever subjects a stone to

amber, it is common practice, which is nothing wrong in

itself. But, unfortunately, sometimes the customer is not

informed that the stone in the ring they have bought was

heated up in an autoclave to alter its colour or transpar-

-

egories to suit amber. The Chinese market, which has

been very receptive in recent years, is used to having such

information and expects it. That is why we persuade our

members to apply the principles that are used worldwide.

The STOP Illegal Amber Mining campaign was

initiated by the International Amber Association.

Do you think such events will have any impact? Who

else supported the campaign?

For many years, we have been observing a degrada-

tion in the natural environment due to the illegal mining

of Holocene amber deposits. In recent years, following the

-

tire Polish coast, affecting especially the natural beauty of

sand dunes. Illegal mining is a huge problem in the shal-

low Palaeogene deposits of the Kaliningrad Region and in

Ukraine. Certainly, it results from both market shortages

of raw amber and its high price tag.

Since its establishment, the IAA has been lobbying in

favour of legal mining and against the degradation of the

Part of the poster “c ommercial c a mber”

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Fashion shows, the experience exchange between Polish

and Chinese designers, students and teachers are all very

important and media-friendly events. The festival led to

several publications in China’s jewellery and designer

magazines. I take my hat off to Nancy Chui for the work

and effort that she and her team have put in promoting

amber and I very much look forward to the forthcoming

festivals they’ve planned.

The International Amber Association released

were the aims of this project?

The IAA’s Amber Expert Commission developed two

-

ber by colour variety, degree of transparency, impurities

and shape. This detailed categorisation can be used for

transactions based not just on weight fractions but also

on other factors, which determine how raw amber can be

used. It seems to me that the amber industry still pays too

little attention to amber sorting but treats raw amber as

a cheap material instead, the way it did 20 years ago. In

recent years, both the price and availability of amber have

changed considerably so we have to change our approach

-

ber, while an artist would rather buy amber in rare shapes

than pieces useful for mass production.

-

sponse to the global trend to identify gemstones by name,

as described in the Blue Book published by CIBJO–The

World Jewellery Confederation. According to the world’s

gemstone organisations (CIBJO, AGTA, GIA; or ICA, of

which the IAA is a member), whoever subjects a stone to

amber, it is common practice, which is nothing wrong in

itself. But, unfortunately, sometimes the customer is not

informed that the stone in the ring they have bought was

heated up in an autoclave to alter its colour or transpar-

-

egories to suit amber. The Chinese market, which has

been very receptive in recent years, is used to having such

information and expects it. That is why we persuade our

members to apply the principles that are used worldwide.

The STOP Illegal Amber Mining campaign was

initiated by the International Amber Association.

Do you think such events will have any impact? Who

else supported the campaign?

For many years, we have been observing a degrada-

tion in the natural environment due to the illegal mining

of Holocene amber deposits. In recent years, following the

-

tire Polish coast, affecting especially the natural beauty of

sand dunes. Illegal mining is a huge problem in the shal-

low Palaeogene deposits of the Kaliningrad Region and in

Ukraine. Certainly, it results from both market shortages

of raw amber and its high price tag.

Since its establishment, the IAA has been lobbying in

favour of legal mining and against the degradation of the

Part of the poster “c ommercial c a mber”

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environment. In 2007, the Mayor of Gdańsk made it pos-

sible to lease shallow deposits under the local law. No il-

legal digging was recorded for almost a year but the prob-

lem returned after the lease expired. It follows from trade

press and discussions within the IAA that a new genera-

tion of consumers is entering the market. They want their

products to be neutral to the environment. It is very signif-

icant especially in religious products; let us not forget that

in Buddhism amber is both one of seven most important

treasures and an increasingly popular rosary material.

Our campaign was supported by the municipality of

Stegna, which is one of the locations were illegal min-

ing takes place, and by the Elbląg Forest Authority, which

supervises the seaside forests that often grow on amber

deposits. On a November Saturday, IAA members and

friends planted pine seedlings in the areas where amber

is illegally mined. The IAA’s Russian friends also took part

in the campaign as they want to counteract illegal mining

at home. We will certainly repeat our campaign in the

spring.

The amber price rise since 2009 is still continu-

ing, amber’s price is at its highest, how long do you

think it will last?

I have recently been comparing raw amber prices. In

1997, the industry’s stock 10–20g fraction cost an equiva-

lent of EUR 100. Today, its price is over a dozen times

from the Chinese market but also by Russian policy, which

has practically made it impossible to export raw amber.

In my opinion, this policy is too harsh and will give rise

to corruption. We realise that the amber market has not

been systematised so far but blocking exports will not im-

prove its condition at all. There is no Russian, Lithuanian

or Polish amber–we are all interconnected. What we have

is Baltic amber–a brand that we should be promoting to-

gether. And this requires Russians, Lithuanians and Poles

to work together. Market-wise, we are now in a place

where it is only by working together that we can promote

the Baltic amber brand and avoid a speculation bubble.

It may sound strange but let us use the opportunity of

Baltic amber being as valuable now as during the Roman

Empire. Let us elevate it to the position, which it had at

the dawn of humankind, when it was a uniquely precious

material or even an amulet.

The markets for jadeite and amber share certain fea-

tures. When comparing them, I’m concerned that the

price rise is not over yet.

92


What lies behind Intuitive,

your new injector ?

Simply a new intuitive way of

working. The use of a tablet with

Android interface to manage the

machine offers many new possi-

bilities for the operator: mobility, as

each unit can be moved from one

machine to another, the conserva-

tion of programs thanks to photos

the most inexperienced operators.

What new features does the tablet controlled

injector offer?

This formula offers the opportunity to constantly keep

the machine up to date simply by downloading new appli-

cations through which production management is quick

and easy. For example, the Production App for monitor-

ing the progress of orders directly on the injector. The

Network App leverages the interconnectivity of the tab-

let and, in a few easy steps, you can create a network

between the devices to share information and to control

production by going back to the causes of defects.

What does the new RiaceChem plant deal with ?

In two words? Research and development or to im-

prove the quality of waxes for use on all RiaceWax ma-

the model. This also allows us to provide a complete ser-

vice to the client.

Why is there a need to create new types of wax?

Our customers are becoming more demanding and

one of their recurring requirements is the possibility of

moving the limit on the minimum thickness required by

RIACETECH. LISTENING AND PAYING ATTENTION TO DETAILS

Interview of Elena AIELLO with Giovanni LEJKOWSKI

r iaceGroup returns to talk about itself and three major new features: Intuitive, the new machine

from the r iaceWax line, r iaceChem the opening of a new facility for research and development on

wax, and r iaceThai, a branch in Bangkok.

current waxes, and on the reduction of withdrawal; they

request waxes that are easier to inject into increasingly

complex molds and waxes which are soluble in water in

order to obtain 3D models by avoiding the costs of proto-

typing machines.

Why did you decide to open a non-commercial

branch in Thailand ?

Basically to provide a complete service to our clients: to

meet market demand as supplying machinery also implies

providing a service to our clients, especially in the case of

large companies with whom we already collaborate. The

Asian market has become a strategic area, a reservoir of

multinational companies and growing opportunities. For

this reason, it has become crucial for RiaceTech to provide

support tailored to client needs.

Why did you chose Bangkok?

The centrality of Bangkok allows us to be present in

all the major companies for which we have become, from

being mere suppliers, partners in research and develop-

ment for lostwax casting, and the opening of RiaceThai,

with its 750sqm, aims to be a technological hub for the

entire Asian market.

intuitive, the

wax research and the Bangkok branch?

Our ongoing research in interpreting and responding

to market demands, for which RiaceTech participates in

major international trade shows. We have re-sellers and

clients around the whole world with very different needs

and, through our innovations, we try to satisfy them by

making it easier for them to work.

What are your objectives for 2014 , Mr. Lejkowski ?

Everything starts from the pleasure of running a com-

pany comprised of young people who are passionate

about innovation and the future. This makes me believe

that 2014 will also be a year of growth similar to the previ-

ous year. A year in which we will be able to be even closer

to our clients and support them in the innovation process:

Riacetech is “No stopping innovation!”

Giovanni Lejkowski, CEO and founder of the RiaceGroup

TEC

HN

OLO

GY

92


What lies behind Intuitive,

your new injector ?

Simply a new intuitive way of

working. The use of a tablet with

Android interface to manage the

machine offers many new possi-

bilities for the operator: mobility, as

each unit can be moved from one

machine to another, the conserva-

tion of programs thanks to photos

the most inexperienced operators.

What new features does the tablet controlled

injector offer?

This formula offers the opportunity to constantly keep

the machine up to date simply by downloading new appli-

cations through which production management is quick

and easy. For example, the Production App for monitor-

ing the progress of orders directly on the injector. The

Network App leverages the interconnectivity of the tab-

let and, in a few easy steps, you can create a network

between the devices to share information and to control

production by going back to the causes of defects.

What does the new RiaceChem plant deal with ?

In two words? Research and development or to im-

prove the quality of waxes for use on all RiaceWax ma-

the model. This also allows us to provide a complete ser-

vice to the client.

Why is there a need to create new types of wax?

Our customers are becoming more demanding and

one of their recurring requirements is the possibility of

moving the limit on the minimum thickness required by

RIACETECH. LISTENING AND PAYING ATTENTION TO DETAILS

Interview of Elena AIELLO with Giovanni LEJKOWSKI

r iaceGroup returns to talk about itself and three major new features: Intuitive, the new machine

from the r iaceWax line, r iaceChem the opening of a new facility for research and development on

wax, and r iaceThai, a branch in Bangkok.

current waxes, and on the reduction of withdrawal; they

request waxes that are easier to inject into increasingly

complex molds and waxes which are soluble in water in

order to obtain 3D models by avoiding the costs of proto-

typing machines.

Why did you decide to open a non-commercial

branch in Thailand ?

Basically to provide a complete service to our clients: to

meet market demand as supplying machinery also implies

providing a service to our clients, especially in the case of

large companies with whom we already collaborate. The

Asian market has become a strategic area, a reservoir of

multinational companies and growing opportunities. For

this reason, it has become crucial for RiaceTech to provide

support tailored to client needs.

Why did you chose Bangkok?

The centrality of Bangkok allows us to be present in

all the major companies for which we have become, from

being mere suppliers, partners in research and develop-

ment for lostwax casting, and the opening of RiaceThai,

with its 750sqm, aims to be a technological hub for the

entire Asian market.

intuitive, the

wax research and the Bangkok branch?

Our ongoing research in interpreting and responding

to market demands, for which RiaceTech participates in

major international trade shows. We have re-sellers and

clients around the whole world with very different needs

and, through our innovations, we try to satisfy them by

making it easier for them to work.

What are your objectives for 2014 , Mr. Lejkowski ?

Everything starts from the pleasure of running a com-

pany comprised of young people who are passionate

about innovation and the future. This makes me believe

that 2014 will also be a year of growth similar to the previ-

ous year. A year in which we will be able to be even closer

to our clients and support them in the innovation process:

Riacetech is “No stopping innovation!”

Giovanni Lejkowski, CEO and founder of the RiaceGroup

TEC

HN

OLO

GY

94


Mr. Rudloff, we have been seeing You in Vilnius

and Gdansk amber fair for many years. How long

have You been working with amber?

pieces of amber in a small beach of St. Peter-Ording resort

at the North Sea. My father produced me a simple grinding

and polishing machine, so in the same year, at the age of

for my grandmother and aunt

And from this moment You were caught by the

virus of amber?

Yes, it was a nice hobby. In my early life, I collected

many kilograms of amber, processed and sold everything all

on my own. After graduating from school at the beginning

of 80’s I studied business administration and engineering

at the Technical University of Berlin. I paid for my education

from income received from my small business of amber.

What happened next?

After graduating, I worked for some years at a Institute

I did not like designing factories for large trusts, and in 1986

I decided to engage in amber trade as my core business.

At that time the Berlin Wall was still standing.

Where did You get amber from?

The State Enterprise of Foreign Trade “Cepelia” was op-

erating in Poland, which organized sales of about 20 works

of artists in the West. “VEB Ostseeschmuck”, with which

WITH AMBER FOR ALMOST HALF A CENTURY!

Interview with Knut RUDLOFF by Odilija

GUNTORIUTE

Democratic Republic. After the fall of the communist sys-

tem, initially it was hard to create replacement for existing

structures.

What was the most interesting event during

Your working years with amber?

There are a lot of interesting stories to be told. Each

new product, each new collection is an interesting chal-

lenge and adventure. However, in 1990, a visit to the lig-

nite mine in the GDR at Bitterfeld was a special adventure.

In the mine, about 20 tons of amber were dug up every

year. After the Fall of the Berlin Wall, there was a small

period of time when one could quite legally go to the mine

and collect amber. On some days I collected over 200 kg.

Amazingly, the amber pieces, washed out of the soil by rain

and wind, were just lying on the ground! It was a sort of

“Blue earth” as in Samland of about 10 km² area. Around

a lake, which in some places reaches up to 35 m deep.

Can amber still be found there?

From geological research, I know that a reservoir of

approximately 1,000 tons is predicted. If the prices of raw

materials continue to rise, probably this accumulation of

amber in the middle of Germany will be re-mastered with

a new extraction method (hydro-digging). So far it is not

150 grams of amber can be found in one cubic meter of

this “Blue earth”, i. e. much less than in Kaliningrad.

About Your current job. What is Your company

“Nordschmuck GmbH” engaged in and what are

Your strengths?

We supply our collections to almost 500 jewellery and

souvenir shops in Germany. Our strength is the creation of

gifts and jewellery, which precisely meet the taste of con-

sumers in Germany. It may be quite simple products such as

gnitekram detrats eW .nerdlihc rof tik gnihsilop rebma ruo

ten years ago. At that time our competitors mocked us be-

cause the product was cheap. To this day, we have sold over

half a million of such kits. In other words, more than 500

k nut r

PER

SON

ALI

TY

94


Mr. Rudloff, we have been seeing You in Vilnius

and Gdansk amber fair for many years. How long

have You been working with amber?

pieces of amber in a small beach of St. Peter-Ording resort

at the North Sea. My father produced me a simple grinding

and polishing machine, so in the same year, at the age of

for my grandmother and aunt

And from this moment You were caught by the

virus of amber?

Yes, it was a nice hobby. In my early life, I collected

many kilograms of amber, processed and sold everything all

on my own. After graduating from school at the beginning

of 80’s I studied business administration and engineering

at the Technical University of Berlin. I paid for my education

from income received from my small business of amber.

What happened next?

After graduating, I worked for some years at a Institute

I did not like designing factories for large trusts, and in 1986

I decided to engage in amber trade as my core business.

At that time the Berlin Wall was still standing.

Where did You get amber from?

The State Enterprise of Foreign Trade “Cepelia” was op-

erating in Poland, which organized sales of about 20 works

of artists in the West. “VEB Ostseeschmuck”, with which

WITH AMBER FOR ALMOST HALF A CENTURY!

Interview with Knut RUDLOFF by Odilija

GUNTORIUTE

Democratic Republic. After the fall of the communist sys-

tem, initially it was hard to create replacement for existing

structures.

What was the most interesting event during

Your working years with amber?

There are a lot of interesting stories to be told. Each

new product, each new collection is an interesting chal-

lenge and adventure. However, in 1990, a visit to the lig-

nite mine in the GDR at Bitterfeld was a special adventure.

In the mine, about 20 tons of amber were dug up every

year. After the Fall of the Berlin Wall, there was a small

period of time when one could quite legally go to the mine

and collect amber. On some days I collected over 200 kg.

Amazingly, the amber pieces, washed out of the soil by rain

and wind, were just lying on the ground! It was a sort of

“Blue earth” as in Samland of about 10 km² area. Around

a lake, which in some places reaches up to 35 m deep.

Can amber still be found there?

From geological research, I know that a reservoir of

approximately 1,000 tons is predicted. If the prices of raw

materials continue to rise, probably this accumulation of

amber in the middle of Germany will be re-mastered with

a new extraction method (hydro-digging). So far it is not

150 grams of amber can be found in one cubic meter of

this “Blue earth”, i. e. much less than in Kaliningrad.

About Your current job. What is Your company

“Nordschmuck GmbH” engaged in and what are

Your strengths?

We supply our collections to almost 500 jewellery and

souvenir shops in Germany. Our strength is the creation of

gifts and jewellery, which precisely meet the taste of con-

sumers in Germany. It may be quite simple products such as

gnitekram detrats eW .nerdlihc rof tik gnihsilop rebma ruo

ten years ago. At that time our competitors mocked us be-

cause the product was cheap. To this day, we have sold over

half a million of such kits. In other words, more than 500

k nut r

PER

SON

ALI

TY

95


000 children in Germany polished their own amber pen-

dants and experienced an exciting adventure. This is how

we promote a positive approach to amber from the early

age because today’s children are our future customers.

Every year we attempt

to create at least one new

collection with our brand.

Last year, for example, we

began selling the collec-

tion “My Island”, which

was a huge success across

the North and Baltic Sea

region. We have developed

15 popular holiday island-

shaped pendants, using

silver on the outside and

amber of various shapes

and colour inside. For the

design of amber and silver

we used exact contours of

a certain island. We closely

cooperated with a company in Gdansk; over a year, I trav-

-

dellac si noitcelloc wen a dna dnarb wen rehtonA

“Amber meets black oak”. In this regard, we are closely co-

operating with the Polish artist Tadeusz Dobkowski, who,

in his company in Gdynia, produces a unique and nice col-

lection of two fossil materials: amber and black oak.

Amber Meets With Swamp Oak

What major problems arise in Your daily work?

We call our concept of decorating and logistics “the

sale of amber under the system”. It is highly important that

for many years we have been providing our customers with

the product No. “AB” or a collier with the product No.

“XY” must look and have the same dimensions and the

same weight as it is now. Of course, this condition puts

strong demands on our suppliers in Lithuania and Poland.

How many companies do You cooperate with,

and do You keep close relations with them?

There are 15 companies in Lithuania, from which we

regularly receive goods; there are more such companies in

Poland. In most cases we provide own designs and patterns

for production with very strict quality standards, we have

to trust each other at 100%. After regularly visiting each

manufacturer, sometime even meeting their families, very

friendly relations have developed in both countries during

the past year, which I did not wish to abandon. Special reli-

ability of our suppliers forms the basis of our continuous

growth and success.

What do you think about the future?

in obtaining supplies of the raw materials. It is said that

Russia would stop exporting raw amber and is going to

process everything on its own. Probably Russia considers it

an attractive idea, however, I believe that its implementa-

tion is not realistic. The Soviet Union tried to do the same

in the 70’s, however, it resulted in amber mining becoming

a branch of industry in another country, namely, the GDR.

Amber polishing kit in a bag at the sales stand

How large is Your range of products and how

many people are employed in “Nordschmuck”?

We offer about 2000 different products, which are

placed on various displays, , sales racks or baskets. All to-

gether we offer more than 100 displays with different top-

ics. Eight employees work in the unit of preparation and

dispatch of products for the German market, four more

employees work in administration and sales.

The stand of the company “Nordschmuck GmbH” in a fair (January, 2013)

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jewellery from amber and silver at this fair and in the fair

“Amberif”. In Gdansk, I was demonstrating a new design

idea: processing of amber with black oak. Rudloff noticed

these great design products, however, he bought only a

few pendants “on a trial” as he said, and “maybe next time

I will buy more”. After that time I have not heard anything

from him and almost forgot him.

In February, Rudloff suddenly called me and arranged

a meeting in my gallery in Gdynia. Rudloff wanted to cre-

ate a collection in my workshop for the wholesale trade

of his company “Nordschmuck GmbH”. The problem was

that we had been making only single products, however,

Rudloff wanted products of the same size, even the same

not ready for such “serial production”. We continued the

conversation at my home, we made dozens of sketches and

after two bottles of whiskey at dawn we reached a unani-

from us a few thousand pendants, and now my staff in the

Over the years, trade relations have strengthened and I

am glad that I can continue to maintain and develop friend-

ly business relations with Rudloff as my “best customer”

in Germany.

Mr. Dainius Milius, please tell us about your busi-

ness partner Knut Rudloff.

With Knut Rudloff we cooperate for about eight years.

Knut is loyal partner and client. He is very concrete and tac-

tical. He always knows what he wants and what is needed;

it will not be a surprise that he values high quality.

Most of all he values communicating with people. He

has a very good sense of humor. It is nice to work with en-

ergetic and ambitious person, who never forgets to show

his gratitude.

Although the “Blue earth” in Kaliningrad is under ground

level, however, the geological layer containing amber

stretches up to Poland and Lithuania, therefore, upon rising

prices of raw materials, industrial excavation can be started

elsewhere. Currently a kind of poker is being played. Later,

the situation returns to normal, which I am sure.

Mr. Rudloff, thank You very much for the inter-

view and I wish You a happy and successful life with

amber.

Mrs. Thode, You have a

typical souvenir shop on the

island Usedom. How long

have Your been selling amber

and when did You start to co-

operate with Rudloff?

I took over the store from

my parents only three years ago.

They have known Rudloff for

many years. I meet Rudloff once

or twice a year at the fair, where I

inspect season innovation and lis-

ten to Rudloff’s interesting advice

on amber.

We had the amber corner

in the store from the very beginning, however, in recent

In particular, it is related to an attractive collection of

“Nordschmuck” and fast delivery of goods. We continu-

ously offer modern jewellery that exactly meets our cus-

tomers’ tastes. Everything is already decorated in nice sales

displays to attract the attention of our customers. All prod-

high season every week I order amber products through

our mechandise management system. I receive goods with-

in two days; therefore I do not need a large warehouse

with a frozen capital.

Mr. Dobkowski when and

where did You meet Rudloff?

It was the autumn of 2010, at

the “Ambermart” fair in Gdansk.

For many years I have been pre-

senting my hand-made unique

Nicole Thode in her store “Galerie Inselstuv” in Usedom Island

Tadeusz Dobkowski in Gdynia (Poland) in his workshop (www.artofamber.com)

Dainius Milius and his wife Dovile

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jewellery from amber and silver at this fair and in the fair

“Amberif”. In Gdansk, I was demonstrating a new design

idea: processing of amber with black oak. Rudloff noticed

these great design products, however, he bought only a

few pendants “on a trial” as he said, and “maybe next time

I will buy more”. After that time I have not heard anything

from him and almost forgot him.

In February, Rudloff suddenly called me and arranged

a meeting in my gallery in Gdynia. Rudloff wanted to cre-

ate a collection in my workshop for the wholesale trade

of his company “Nordschmuck GmbH”. The problem was

that we had been making only single products, however,

Rudloff wanted products of the same size, even the same

not ready for such “serial production”. We continued the

conversation at my home, we made dozens of sketches and

after two bottles of whiskey at dawn we reached a unani-

from us a few thousand pendants, and now my staff in the

Over the years, trade relations have strengthened and I

am glad that I can continue to maintain and develop friend-

ly business relations with Rudloff as my “best customer”

in Germany.

Mr. Dainius Milius, please tell us about your busi-

ness partner Knut Rudloff.

With Knut Rudloff we cooperate for about eight years.

Knut is loyal partner and client. He is very concrete and tac-

tical. He always knows what he wants and what is needed;

it will not be a surprise that he values high quality.

Most of all he values communicating with people. He

has a very good sense of humor. It is nice to work with en-

ergetic and ambitious person, who never forgets to show

his gratitude.

Although the “Blue earth” in Kaliningrad is under ground

level, however, the geological layer containing amber

stretches up to Poland and Lithuania, therefore, upon rising

prices of raw materials, industrial excavation can be started

elsewhere. Currently a kind of poker is being played. Later,

the situation returns to normal, which I am sure.

Mr. Rudloff, thank You very much for the inter-

view and I wish You a happy and successful life with

amber.

Mrs. Thode, You have a

typical souvenir shop on the

island Usedom. How long

have Your been selling amber

and when did You start to co-

operate with Rudloff?

I took over the store from

my parents only three years ago.

They have known Rudloff for

many years. I meet Rudloff once

or twice a year at the fair, where I

inspect season innovation and lis-

ten to Rudloff’s interesting advice

on amber.

We had the amber corner

in the store from the very beginning, however, in recent

In particular, it is related to an attractive collection of

“Nordschmuck” and fast delivery of goods. We continu-

ously offer modern jewellery that exactly meets our cus-

tomers’ tastes. Everything is already decorated in nice sales

displays to attract the attention of our customers. All prod-

high season every week I order amber products through

our mechandise management system. I receive goods with-

in two days; therefore I do not need a large warehouse

with a frozen capital.

Mr. Dobkowski when and

where did You meet Rudloff?

It was the autumn of 2010, at

the “Ambermart” fair in Gdansk.

For many years I have been pre-

senting my hand-made unique

Nicole Thode in her store “Galerie Inselstuv” in Usedom Island

Tadeusz Dobkowski in Gdynia (Poland) in his workshop (www.artofamber.com)

Dainius Milius and his wife Dovile

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Dr. Madeleine Albright, the 64th Secretary

of State of the United States and a

formidable collector of jewelry, was a

rather unique advocate for the strategic and provocative

use of pins. Her love affair with jewelry, while not new to

her, erupted on the political scene in 1994 while she was

ambassador to the United Nations for the Clinton admin-

istration. Albright, who had just been described by the na-

tional Iraqi newspaper as an “unparalleled serpent,” was

she recalls in her jewelry memoirs.

Dr. Albright’s choice of a small gold and diamond

snake pin made diplomatic history. “It was just my way

of sending a message,” she told the UN press corps. In

subsequent years, as she rose to political prominence, the

impact of her choices of “what to wear” grew. In turn

chiding and wishful, her pins were soon read as personal

Read my Pins, Albright’s jewelry memoir published

in conjunction with the eponymous show at New York’s

Museum of Arts and Design, bears testimony to the

Secretary’s awareness of jewelry’s long history as a propa-

-

gle, or a dove would amount to a footnote in that history,

were it not for the conjunction of three factors: being a

Secretary of State gave her picks unparalleled exposure;

being a woman meant she could vastly expand on the

rather limited range of masculine ornament; and being

who she was meant she was rather less than subservient

to diplomatic etiquette.

She will now take your questions.

DR. MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WILL TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS

By AJF Memberswww.artjewelryforum.org

Madeleine ALBRIGHT wore snake pin to meetings with i

I AM PRETTY CAREFUL about not wearing things that are insulting-that’s an

IMPORTANT PART of being a diplomat

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Dr. Madeleine Albright, the 64th Secretary

of State of the United States and a

formidable collector of jewelry, was a

rather unique advocate for the strategic and provocative

use of pins. Her love affair with jewelry, while not new to

her, erupted on the political scene in 1994 while she was

ambassador to the United Nations for the Clinton admin-

istration. Albright, who had just been described by the na-

tional Iraqi newspaper as an “unparalleled serpent,” was

she recalls in her jewelry memoirs.

Dr. Albright’s choice of a small gold and diamond

snake pin made diplomatic history. “It was just my way

of sending a message,” she told the UN press corps. In

subsequent years, as she rose to political prominence, the

impact of her choices of “what to wear” grew. In turn

chiding and wishful, her pins were soon read as personal

Read my Pins, Albright’s jewelry memoir published

in conjunction with the eponymous show at New York’s

Museum of Arts and Design, bears testimony to the

Secretary’s awareness of jewelry’s long history as a propa-

-

gle, or a dove would amount to a footnote in that history,

were it not for the conjunction of three factors: being a

Secretary of State gave her picks unparalleled exposure;

being a woman meant she could vastly expand on the

rather limited range of masculine ornament; and being

who she was meant she was rather less than subservient

to diplomatic etiquette.

She will now take your questions.

DR. MADELEINE ALBRIGHT WILL TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS

By AJF Memberswww.artjewelryforum.org

Madeleine ALBRIGHT wore snake pin to meetings with i

I AM PRETTY CAREFUL about not wearing things that are insulting-that’s an

IMPORTANT PART of being a diplomat

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Agita Putaane, r iga, l atvia: Your jewelry pieces

are your lips for the public. Do you have any jewelry that is

just for you? That doesn’t communicate anything to any-

one else?

Dr. Madeleine Albright: I have many different

pins that I have bought or that have been given to me over

the years simply because they are pretty or well-crafted

or just plain fun. Sometimes it’s nice to wear a piece for

message.

The piece of jewelry that is by far the most personal to

me is a heart-shaped pin made of clay and painted haphaz-

ardly in bright colors. It was given to me one Valentine’s

-

ual observer, it is neither expertly crafted nor particularly

valuable. But to me, it symbolizes the unbreakable bonds

of love between mother and daughter and is therefore

Susan Cummins, Tiburon, California: Did you

meaning based on different cultural points of view? Did

this ever get you in trouble?

Dr. Madeleine Albright: I am pretty careful about

not wearing things that are insulting-that’s an important

part of being a diplomat. On the contrary, I try to wear

things that are representative of the place that I am visit-

ing. I have a whole hanging bag of pins that are actually

organized by their country of origin. I particularly like a

pin that was given to me in Lebanon, which is my name

in Arabic. In that case, I had to do some research to make

sure it really was my name in Arabic and not some other

word that might be embarrassing.

Luckily, it really did say “Madeleine.”

Marthe l e Van, Asheville, north Carolina:

During your service as Secretary of State, did you come

across dignitaries who met pin with pin, answering the

“mute eloquence of pins with attitude” with ornaments

of their own?

Dr. Madeleine Albright: Interestingly enough, I

have come across quite a lot of men that wear lapel pins

signifying their position in government or representing

pins. In our own government, many members of Congress

or the Congressional seal.

Sharon Sindell, l os Angeles, California: Was

there ever a situation when a piece you wore was a dis-

traction and got in the way of actual diplomatic work?

Dr. Madeleine Albright: There was one instance

where my choice of pins got me into trouble. I had

traveled with President Clinton to Moscow to meet with

President Vladimir Putin, and among a number of issues

I wanted to raise was Russia’s feigned ignorance of hu-

man rights abuses in Chechnya. To show my displeasure,

I wore three monkey pins representing the “see no evil,

hear no evil, speak no evil” adage. While walking into a

meeting, President Putin turned to President Clinton and

remarked that the Russians always took great interest in

what pins I wore and what they might symbolize about

the US-Russian relationship. He then asked me what my

monkeys were supposed to signify.

I replied point blank that I thought his policies regard-

ing Chechnya were “pure evil.” The resulting look on

Iradj Moini, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil 2000, three-brooch set Materials: tagua nuts, yellow gold-plated base metal, simulated pearls, antique German glass cabochons, crystals, Size: 30 x 53 mm. Photo: John Bigelow Taylor

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President Clinton’s face made it clear that I had taken my

pins a bit too far on that occasion.

Joan Dutton, Chicago, Illinois: What brooch

would you wear to a meeting with President Vladimir

Putin? With President Bashar al-Assad?

Dr. Madeleine Albright: In lieu of wearing the

monkeys again, I think I would wear a very large American

-

time I met President Assad’s father Hafez al-Assad, be-

cause Assad means “lion” in Arabic. However, I think a

more apt pin would have been a mule due to his stub-

bornness. In his son’s case, I would probably wear a scor-

pion to depict how he has hurt the Syrian people.

Bella neyman, new york, new york: How

much of her own opinion is a Secretary of State expected

(or allowed) to pack in her diplomatic bag and express in

public? Did your use of pins-your “personal diplomatic ar-

senal” – ever come under criticism by your administration

for being too personal?

Dr. Madeleine Albright: As Secretary of State, I

was a member of the presidential cabinet as well as the

national security team. Part of my job was to help formu-

late the foreign policy of the United States, and ultimately

I was responsible for packing my own diplomatic bag. The

pins were just one particular tool that I used to reinforce

the message of the day.

Donald Wallens, l os Angeles, California:

Having had the pleasure of seeing your jewelry collection

at the Clinton Library, I wondered how you feel about it

as a museum display, disembodied rather than adorning

your self?

Dr. Madeleine Albright: Actually, I love it! I am

always surprised at how beautifully the various museums

display the exhibit. Each one has done it a little differently

in terms of spacing and lighting, but the result is always

stunning.

and continue to wear them, many of the ones on display

are custom or vintage pieces, and so I’ve had to let them

go. I do miss them at times, but I am glad that others have

the opportunity to see them and learn more about the

nuances of foreign policy as a result.

Benjamin l ignel, Montreuil, France: Your col-

lection, while coming from a wide range of sources, bears

witness to a particular penchant for costume jewelry.

What qualities does it have that more upmarket pieces

lack? Are you interested in commissioning work from liv-

ing jewelers and artists, or do you prefer the adventure

of shopping?

Dr. Madeleine Albright: I really enjoy combing

catch my eye or speak to me in some way. It’s great fun.

One of the reasons I traditionally opt for costume jew-

elry is because of the price. And while I hate the idea of

losing any of my jewelry, I suppose that at least with cos-

tume pieces the loss would hurt a little less. I also appreci-

ate the accessibility of costume jewelry, because I want to

make it clear that anyone can do what I’ve done with my

pins. I believe that jewelry doesn’t have to come from a

fancy store or be made of precious gems to have a power-

Thanks!

THERE WAS ONE INSTANCE where my choice of pins GOT ME INTO

TROUBLE

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The policemen and FSS (Federal Safety Service) of-

of amber, which is worth more than a billion

roubles. This was reported by the Regional MIA Board

Information Service.

The hideout was found during the search of the am-

ber processing workshop, equipped in one of the houses

in Yantarny village. The entry to a basement was bricked

up. There were 227 bags of amber stored under the ce-

ment layer. Preliminary calculation indicated that the value

At the same time MIA noted that many rare speci-

mens, weighing more then 1.5 kg, were found in the

bags. The prices of every stone can reach 100 thousand

dollars.

The search was carried out through the investigation

of the proceedings brought against the former owner of

Specialist Ltd. Viktor Bogdan, for attempting to defraud

THE “AMBER ROOM”, worth a billion roubles, found in Kaliningrad regionBy Klops.ru

on a large scale in order to offset VAT amounting to 250

million roubles illegally. Currently the hunt of the interna-

tional fugitive is being held.

There were 227 BAGS OF AMBER stored under the cement layer

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The policemen and FSS (Federal Safety Service) of-

of amber, which is worth more than a billion

roubles. This was reported by the Regional MIA Board

Information Service.

The hideout was found during the search of the am-

ber processing workshop, equipped in one of the houses

in Yantarny village. The entry to a basement was bricked

up. There were 227 bags of amber stored under the ce-

ment layer. Preliminary calculation indicated that the value

At the same time MIA noted that many rare speci-

mens, weighing more then 1.5 kg, were found in the

bags. The prices of every stone can reach 100 thousand

dollars.

The search was carried out through the investigation

of the proceedings brought against the former owner of

Specialist Ltd. Viktor Bogdan, for attempting to defraud

THE “AMBER ROOM”, worth a billion roubles, found in Kaliningrad regionBy Klops.ru

on a large scale in order to offset VAT amounting to 250

million roubles illegally. Currently the hunt of the interna-

tional fugitive is being held.

There were 227 BAGS OF AMBER stored under the cement layer

JEW

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What are the aims of the LoveGold?

LoveGold is a global digital destination and we seek to

build relationships with young consumers wherever they

are. The aim of LoveGold is a simple one: to inspire indi-

viduals with images of beautiful gold jewellery.

What are the results of this project so far? How

successful is it?

LoveGold is only a year into its growth and has so far

gathered over 300,000 followers across its channels such

as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and the Chinese social net-

work Weibo. We are extremely proud of the designers and

other collaborators with whom we work and are delighted

that the response to the jewellery we feature is so positive.

How many jewellers are taking part in the pro-

ject? From which countries are they?

In our platform www.lovegold.com, we feature very

many jewellers whose designs and craftsmanship we re-

spect and admire. Those jewellers span the entire world,

from North America, South America, the UK, France, Italy,

Greece and Denmark to the other reach of the globe with

designers in countries such as India and China. There is so

much talent to be discovered and many more countries to

explore, and we would encourage Baltic Jewellery News

readers to reach out to us with suggestions of designers

or gold jewellery pieces that they think should be featured

on our platform and channels.

How many awards has LoveGold already been

nominated for?

For only a-year-old brand, we were delighted to be

nominated in January for a prestigious GEM Award for

Communications and proud to be shortlisted for this

award alongside brands Tiffany & Co and Tacori.

What are the plans for the future?

To continue to seek out the world’s most beautiful

gold jewellery, the designers creating it and the people

wearing it – and to extend the reach of our community.

“We Wo Uld e NCo Ur Age BAl TiC JeWeller Y NeWS re Ader S to reach out to us with suggestions of designers or gold jewellery pieces that they think should be

featured on our platform and channels”

LOVEGOLD – created to inspire

Sally Morrison (Managing Director, Jewellery, World Gold c ouncil), Photographer Mario t estino & Editor-in-c hief of Vogue China Angelica Cheung (at Vogue China’s 100th Issue Celebration) – Photo by Ted Wong

Actress Michelle Dockery (at a LoveGold luncheon to celebrate her at Chateau Marmont) – Photo by John Sciulli (Jewellery: David Yurman)

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MAJOR TRADE FAIRS IN March 2014 – August 2014XI International Baltic Jewellery Show Amber TripDate: 12–15 March, 2014Location: Vilnius, Lithuaniawww.ambertrip.com [email protected]

International Jewelry & Watch Show Abu Dhabi (JWS)Date: 13–17 March, 2014Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirateswww.adnec.ae [email protected]

Amberif, International Fair of Amber, Jewellery and GemstonesDate: 19–22 March, 2014Venue: Exhibition Center Gdansk, Gdansk, Polandwww.mtgsa.com.pl [email protected]

Istanbul Jewelry Show MarchDate: 20–23 March, 2014Venue: CNR Expo Center, Istambul, Turkeywww.istanbuljewelryshow.com [email protected]

BASELWORLD 2014Date: 27 March – 3 April, 2014Location: Basel, Switzerlandwww.baselworld.com [email protected]

Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe Date: 1–4 April, 2014Locationa: Messe Freiburg,, Freiburg, [email protected]

OroarezzoDate: 5–8 April, 2014Location: Arezzo, Italywww.oroarezzo.it [email protected]

Aru-Almaty, 11 International Jewellery FairDate: 10–13 April, 2014Location: Almaty, Kazakhstanwww.kazexpo.kz [email protected]

12th International Gold & Jewelry Exhibition 2014Date: 21–26 April, 2014Location: Mishref, Kuwaitwww.kif.net [email protected]

Jewelry Fair KoreaDate: 24–27 April, 2014Location: Seoul, Koreawww.jewelfair.com [email protected]

36th Mideast Watch & Jewellery Show 2014Date: 29 April – 3 May, 2014Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirateswww.mideastjewellery.com [email protected]

Vicenzaoro SpringDate: 10–13 May, 2014Location: Vicenza, Italyspring.vicenzaoro.com

IJK – International Jewellery Kobe 2014Date: 14–16 May, 2014Location: Tokyo, Japanwww.ijk-fair.jp [email protected]

Jewellery Expo UkraineDate: 15–18 May, 2014Location: Kiev, [email protected]

G.L.D.A. Las Vegas Gem & Jewelry ShowDate: 26–29 May, 2014Location: Las Vegas, USAwww.glda.com [email protected]

New Russian StyleDate: 28 May – 01 June, 2014Location: Moscow, Russiawww.eng.rjexpert.ru [email protected]

CK Las VegasDate: 30 May–02 June, 2014Venue: Las Vegas, USAwww.jckonline.com [email protected]

JUBINALE 2014Date: 5–7 June, 2014Venue: Krakow, Polandwww.jubinale.com [email protected]

Asia Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair-JuneDate: 19–22 June, 2014Venue: HKCEC, Hong Konghttp://[email protected]

June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair Date: 19–22 June, 2014Venue: HKCEC, Hong Kongwww.Jewellerynetasia.com [email protected]

METS exhibition Date: 25–28 June, 2014http://www.mets.hk/en/[email protected]

Jovella 2013Date: 01–02 July, 2014Venue: Tel Aviv, Israelwww.stier.co [email protected]

India International Jewellery ShowDate: 17–21 July, 2013Venue: Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, [email protected]

Norwegian Gold & UrDate: 21–24 August, 2014Venue: Lillestrøm Exhibition's,Norwaywww.gull-og-ur-messe.no [email protected]

Japan Jewellery Fair (JJF)Date: 26–28 August, 2014Venue: Tokyo, Japanwww.japanjewelleryfair.com [email protected]

AMBERMARTDate: 28–30 August, 2013Venue: Gdansk, Polandwww.mtgsa.com.pl [email protected]

104


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MAJOR TRADE FAIRS IN March 2014 – August 2014XI International Baltic Jewellery Show Amber TripDate: 12–15 March, 2014Location: Vilnius, Lithuaniawww.ambertrip.com [email protected]

International Jewelry & Watch Show Abu Dhabi (JWS)Date: 13–17 March, 2014Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirateswww.adnec.ae [email protected]

Amberif, International Fair of Amber, Jewellery and GemstonesDate: 19–22 March, 2014Venue: Exhibition Center Gdansk, Gdansk, Polandwww.mtgsa.com.pl [email protected]

Istanbul Jewelry Show MarchDate: 20–23 March, 2014Venue: CNR Expo Center, Istambul, Turkeywww.istanbuljewelryshow.com [email protected]

BASELWORLD 2014Date: 27 March – 3 April, 2014Location: Basel, Switzerlandwww.baselworld.com [email protected]

Jewellery & Gem Fair Europe Date: 1–4 April, 2014Locationa: Messe Freiburg,, Freiburg, [email protected]

OroarezzoDate: 5–8 April, 2014Location: Arezzo, Italywww.oroarezzo.it [email protected]

Aru-Almaty, 11 International Jewellery FairDate: 10–13 April, 2014Location: Almaty, Kazakhstanwww.kazexpo.kz [email protected]

12th International Gold & Jewelry Exhibition 2014Date: 21–26 April, 2014Location: Mishref, Kuwaitwww.kif.net [email protected]

Jewelry Fair KoreaDate: 24–27 April, 2014Location: Seoul, Koreawww.jewelfair.com [email protected]

36th Mideast Watch & Jewellery Show 2014Date: 29 April – 3 May, 2014Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirateswww.mideastjewellery.com [email protected]

Vicenzaoro SpringDate: 10–13 May, 2014Location: Vicenza, Italyspring.vicenzaoro.com

IJK – International Jewellery Kobe 2014Date: 14–16 May, 2014Location: Tokyo, Japanwww.ijk-fair.jp [email protected]

Jewellery Expo UkraineDate: 15–18 May, 2014Location: Kiev, [email protected]

G.L.D.A. Las Vegas Gem & Jewelry ShowDate: 26–29 May, 2014Location: Las Vegas, USAwww.glda.com [email protected]

New Russian StyleDate: 28 May – 01 June, 2014Location: Moscow, Russiawww.eng.rjexpert.ru [email protected]

CK Las VegasDate: 30 May–02 June, 2014Venue: Las Vegas, USAwww.jckonline.com [email protected]

JUBINALE 2014Date: 5–7 June, 2014Venue: Krakow, Polandwww.jubinale.com [email protected]

Asia Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair-JuneDate: 19–22 June, 2014Venue: HKCEC, Hong Konghttp://[email protected]

June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair Date: 19–22 June, 2014Venue: HKCEC, Hong Kongwww.Jewellerynetasia.com [email protected]

METS exhibition Date: 25–28 June, 2014http://www.mets.hk/en/[email protected]

Jovella 2013Date: 01–02 July, 2014Venue: Tel Aviv, Israelwww.stier.co [email protected]

India International Jewellery ShowDate: 17–21 July, 2013Venue: Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, [email protected]

Norwegian Gold & UrDate: 21–24 August, 2014Venue: Lillestrøm Exhibition's,Norwaywww.gull-og-ur-messe.no [email protected]

Japan Jewellery Fair (JJF)Date: 26–28 August, 2014Venue: Tokyo, Japanwww.japanjewelleryfair.com [email protected]

AMBERMARTDate: 28–30 August, 2013Venue: Gdansk, Polandwww.mtgsa.com.pl [email protected]

Dear Readers,

I am welcoming you to sunny August, just returning from a

whole year planned vacation, and now you are rested, full

of new energy and forces. Summer for most of our holi-

day time, when for a short time makes you want to break

away from the carefully designed fast pace of life, business

change agenda mild and pleasant relaxation with its closest

humans ... just to be alone and relax.

Our summer issue of the magazine as well as less business,

it takes you to the wonderful world of art, introduse you

to jewellery art events “Number 10. Victoria“ in Lithuania,

“Legnica Festival of SILVER“ in Poland and the “Aqua

Terra“ in Kaliningrad (Russia) over the jewelry art for events.

We invite you to take a look at professional and distinctive

styles of the artists from various countries, evaluate diverse

jewelry art pieces created with infinitive imagination. Enjoy

the works of the authors, who were already well-known

and get to know new names. Find yourself a new idea here,

get inspired.

Also, you will learn about the most interesting and unex-

pected events of the 10th anniversary exhibition of Baltic

jewelry “Amber Trip”.

The region of Kaliningrad (Russia) remains the most scan-

dalous neighbor in the Baltic region. The radical changes

in makes to believe that the adopted programe for strate-

gic development of amber jewelry industry eventually will

give the results, and very soon we will have an international

exhibition of amber. You never know, whether Gdansk

should be worried, but they will have to share the name of

the Amber Capital...

This time the rubric of personalities introduces two au-

thoritative figures who are recognized in the world of

amber art, who are always warm and smiling – Virginija

and Kazimieras Mizgiriai from Lithuania. The International

Amber Association awarded them with “The Best Partner

of Amber Business 2012” award.

I would like to congratulate jewelry companies that are cel-

ebrating the anniversaries.

This year, “House of Amber” in Denmark is celebrating its

80th anniversary. It is one of the oldest and largest com-

panies in the world that produce exquisite jewelry pieces.

One of largest amber companies of Lithuania that are well

known in the international world of amber “Amber by

Mazukna” celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Have a nice reading!

ANGELE JUODZEVICIENE

Editor-in-Chief

Documents

Baltic Jewellery News (March 2014) No. 26