The World Gold Council at the Dubai World Trade Club launched Tuesday the GOLD Virtuosi 2 contest - the World's Oscars for Gold Jewelry design and craftmanship – gathering multinational artists exhibiting their neat designs.
For the second consecutive year, the council has teamed up with Fiera di Vicenza, widely known for its design and manufacture of gold jewelry, to organize the most authoritative international jewelry competition, said Khaleej Times.
Joining them in this endeavor are Damas Jewelry and Arushi.
The Dubai-based paper quoted Moaz Barakat, Regional Director for the World Gold Council, as saying that the Gold Virtuosi, open to all nationalities throughout the world, was basically an invitation to creativity.
"This year, we wish to make it even more global, prestigious and fruitful for the gold jewellery industry by inviting more entrants from all over the world and introducing various new prestigious awards," he said.
The contest was first held last year to widespread acclaim, attracting some 3,000 entrants with the finale in Vicenza, Italy. "What makes Gold Virtuosi 2 different is the fact that we had added another category - technology and craftsmanship - with up to five best craftsmen to win Gold Virtuosi Awards.
Winners will be given more opportunity for global recognition," Barakat said.
During the first quarter of the current year, UAE’s gold market showed a high rise in the gold demand.
According to the industry-funded World Gold Council (WGC), UAE consumption of gold rose 17 percent.
Indian consumption rose 23 percent to 243 tons. This led to a rise in official imports by 26 percent, the WGC said. Dubai is a traditional supplier of bullion to India, said the report – Albawaba.com
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