#DJWE2018: Outstanding jewels of the Doha Jewellery Fair

March 9, 2018

By Katerina Perez

4 min read

The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition 2018 was held over February 21st – 26th in the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in Qatar. With over 400 brands exhibiting from more than 10 countries, I did not want to miss the 15th edition of the showcase which has developed a reputation for being unlike any other.

It was my first time exploring the fair, and I instantly noticed the main difference between the DJWE and many other international jewellery and watch fairs; it focused on the end consumer – rather than members of the jewellery trade – meaning that the selection of jewellery differed in kind. This is the fair to discover a veritable constellation of diamonds and gemstones in more traditional designs; such as grand parures, and statement pieces which are influenced first and foremost by the gems themselves.

Bussatti

Ara Vartanian

Ilias Lalaounis

Moussaieff

Wedding sets, exclusive pieces, opulent designs, jewellery with large diamonds as well as novelties were all on display to impress discerning Qatari clientele, and especially the Royal Family. All in all, I felt that the selection of jewellery was more finely curated than for other fairs, and was of course tailored to the audience of the region. It was a difficult task to choose just a handful of my favourite pieces for the article, but here they are… 

Sartoro Peacock collection ring and bracelet in diamonds

Extravagant design was the order of the day at Doha, with pieces such as Sartoro diamond ‘Peacock’ bracelet and ring, which wrap around the hand and demonstrate the efficacy of a variation of diamond cuts when combined together.

David Webb

David Webb is also notorious for creating ‘larger than life’ jewellery, and one of the brooches which caught my eye was no exception – it was comprised of luscious cabochons of emeralds, sapphires and rubies, and embellished with a touch of diamonds. 

The extraordinary necklace and earrings which caught my eye from David Morris were completed just before the Doha show. Set with black opals, Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds, the amazing play of colour which black opals provide, paired with the neon blue Paraiba tourmaline created a visually intriguing effect.

David Morris

The combination of pearls and diamonds was heralded as en vogue by brands such as Lorraine Schwartz, Mikimoto and Sarah Ho. The American jeweller put together a spectacular necklace with rows of pearls complemented by sparkling diamonds, while the pearl experts at Mikimoto exhibited an extraordinary ‘waterfall’ style necklace with flowers comprised of two individual parts combined – one of pearls and one with diamonds. Pearls also took centre stage in the designs by Sarah Ho, who told me that she loves mixing conch pearls with different colour jades; such as in her Jade Fan necklace.

Mikimoto

Mikimoto

Lorraine Schwartz

Sarah Ho

Precious gemstones of various hues are always popular with Middle Eastern audiences, and Kamyen showcased a very special necklace featuring an abundance of natural ruby beads from Mozambique, accented with diamond snowflakes resting on top of them. Ara Vartanian presented a ring which featured an enormous rubellite just under 30 carats, complemented by designer’s signature inverted champagne and colourless diamonds.

Kamyen ruby and diamond one-of-a-kind necklace

Here I can select only a small part of my favourite designs, you can see more of my choices on my @katerina_perez Instagram. For now, I cannot wait for another Doha Watch & Jewellery exhibition, which I would recommend to those who love diamonds, gemstones, and truly luxurious designs fit for Royalty.

Heavy Metal: The Trend For Bold Gold Medallions Gathers Pace

Medallions infused with meaning are hot property right now, as jewellery lovers fall for the symbolism and style of these statement designs.

by Rachael Taylor

New Horizons: Building a New Life in Hong Kong with Valentina Fine Jewellery 

Life can take you in unexpected directions – this is one thing I know for sure. Sometimes, though, these directions can lead to hugely exciting, life-altering events!

by Sarah Jordan

Star of Singapore: Exploring the Incredible Legacy of B.P. de Silva 

The brand’s heritage traces back more than 150 years and it is now run by the fifth generation of the founding family. It is a real destination.

by Katerina Perez

Kiss and Tell: How Selena Gomez Put Marquise Diamonds on the Map

The marquise diamond has found itself in the spotlight once again as the star of Selena Gomez's engagement ring

by Rachael Taylor

Hero Talisman: My Bespoke Superwoman Ring by Sabine Roemer and Minehaus

Sabine has known me for many years; she has witnessed me grow and develop as a writer and a key opinion leader (KOL), so she felt that I deserve my own ring – an exquisite reminder of who I am

by Katerina Perez

Dramatic or Demure: The Best Jewellery Looks of the Golden Globes 2025

Think ultra-feminine jewellery dressing and you’ll be on the right lines! Here’s a rundown of the top looks…

by Sarah Jordan

Paraiba Provenance: Exclusive Access to Rare Minerals with Brasil Gem Commerce

One of the many wonderful things that emerged from co-authoring a book on Paraiba tourmaline with Kevin Ferreira was meeting so many new people who either love Paraiba tourmalines or work with them. One of those people was Kevin’s cousin, Victor Lima, who is the CEO of Brasil Gem Commerce

by Katerina Perez

Subscription banner

Katerina PerezClub

Step into a universe devoted to jewellery that has been especially curated to indulge your passion, impart knowledge and inspire the next steps on your jewellery journey. Discover exclusive content you won’t find elsewhere.

join the club

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Gem Focus:Brazil Gem Commerce

Discover a company specialising in the cutting and trading of Brazilian and African precious gems, including Paraiba, rubellite and morganite

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Ask Katerina:Diamond Jewellery Styling Tips for Modern Dressing

Here are some of the answers I gave during the presentation to aid your jewellery dressing…

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.