UBM Asia Enters a New Chapter in its Exhibition Industry

"We feel that the time is ripe for a new truly international event in Asia exclusively on minerals, fossils, rough gemstones and decorative stones," said Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia. "In Europe, there is The Munich Show, and in the U.S., there's the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show. We will launch what's destined to be one of the premier mineral and gemstone shows in the region - Mineral & Gem Asia in June next year."

Dinosaur Fossil and Rare Minerals to be displayed this June 2014 at the HKCEC

A special exhibition - Preview of Mineral & Gem Asia, to be held in conjunction with the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair (www.jewellerynetasia.com) from 19 to 22 June 2014 will be held at the Grand Foyer of Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. Visitors are going to be treated to a dazzling display of rare mineral specimens and a dinosaur fossil. The specimens, which belong to the extensive collections of dealers and serious mineral enthusiasts, including the dinosaur fossil - Tyrannosaurus Rex - King Kong, "Empress of China" Rhodochrosite by The Collector's Edge, "Native Gold" on Quartz by Crystal Classics, "Aquamarine" on Quartz by MBM GmbH and "Agate Carving" by roth-Cameo, coming from China, England, Germany, Monaco and USA.

Tyrannosaurus Rex - King Kong

The specimen of Tyrannosaurus Rex was found in the Hell Creek Formation in the Badlands of Montana. Approximately 65% of the skeleton of this Tyrannosaurus Rex has been preserved and thus this specimen is considered as one of the most complete ever found. The missing bones were made out of resin moulds to complete the skeleton. The bones of this specimen come from one animal and were found in two excavation seasons. This specimen owes its nickname "King Kong" to its black bone colour. As such, King Kong is not a composite specimen, like most of the mounted and exposed Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons.

UBM Asia has already received encouraging feedback from suppliers and high-profile buyers and collectors about the fair. As of May 2014, we have already received the exhibition space reservation from over 260 companies from 21 countries and regions including Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, mainland China, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Russia Federation, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, Uruguay and USA.

"I truly believe that this new fair will be another bright spot and create a new foothold for players in the mineral & gemstone industry to expand their business to the Fair East." Diener continued, "Demand is there, and we're looking at inviting business buyers and private collectors from the region. In addition, we will also invite architects, interior designers and furniture industries who are increasingly integrating natural decorative and fossil stones into their designs."

Wilson Yip, Vice President of Korite International, an ammolite mining company based in Alberta, Canada, commented, "We applaud UBM Asia for organizing Mineral & Gem Asia in Hong Kong, which extends their growing repertoire of fairs beyond jewellery fairs. We are certain that the fair will bring the wonderful collections of minerals and fossils from all over the world that will take you back to the old days. Do visit the fair and be amazed."

Gary, W. Bowersox, President of GeoVision, Inc., a gemstones importer & wholesaler in Honolulu, USA, expressed, "I am very excited to know about the launch of Mineral & Gem Asia as the fair will definitely serve as the gateway for my business to tap into the China market."

Mineral & Gem Asia will run at the AsiaWorld-Expo in parallel with the 2015 edition of the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair at the HKCEC, which is scheduled for June 25 to 28 next year.

For press enquiries, please contact:

Marketing Communications, Jewellery Fairs, UBM Asia
Tel: +852-2516-2135, Fax: +852-3749-7318
Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

About UBM Asia's jewellery fairs (www.jewellerynetasia.com)

UBM Asia, organiser of the most professional international jewellery fairs globally, offers opportunities to the world's jewellery trade. UBM Asia's jewellery fairs attract over 100,000 trade buyers and over 10,000 exhibitors from around the world. The September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, with over 3,630 exhibitors and over 52,000 visitors, is the world's number one fine jewellery event. The June Fair is Asia's biggest mid-year international jewellery fair. UBM Asia also organises jewellery fairs in Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Shanghai in mainland China; Chennai, Delhi, Gujarat, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai in India; Japan; Istanbul in Turkey; Singapore; Taiwan; Freiburg in Germany; and Moscow and St Petersburg in Russia.