Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani at the 15th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, yesterday.
DOHA: A total of QR1.99m was raised at the first-ever charity auction held yesterday night at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) as one of the main features of the quindecennial edition of Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE).
Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani visited the Exhibition yesterday. He toured the pavilions of the exhibition and saw the latest designs of Qatari and global companies.
The Prime Minister also toured the pavilion of female Qatari jewellery designers to support and encourage Qatari talents in this field.
Six bespoke jewellery pieces crafted by local jewellery designers in addition to four luxury ladies watches and two bangles by Swiss jewellery and watchmaker Chopard comprised the 12 lots which went under the hammer at the ‘Milestones’ charity auction, whose proceeds will benefit the Education Above All (EAA) foundation’s ‘Educate A Child’ programme. The signature pieces created by the Qatari designers especially for the auction included three pairs of earrings, a necklace, a bangle and a tiara.
The charity sale conducted by local auction house AlBahie raised a total of QR1.99m after an exciting auction which saw some of the most prominent businessmen in Qatar bid for the items showing support for the young Qatari designers while helping children around the world get quality education. Of the signature pieces sold, the most valued was ‘Qatar’ which fetched QR400,000. The white gold hinged bangle with round-cut diamonds inspired by the Qatari flag was designed by Nouf Al Meer of Nouf Jewellery. A white gold tiara with a Qatar-shaped mother of pearl central stone from Al Ghla Jewellery sold for QR300,000 while ‘Sleeping Beauty’ – a pair of drop earrings from Hairaat’s Al Zubarah Collection also fetched QR300,000.
Other luxurious pieces auctioned were ‘Mirhab’ – a pair of diamond and while gold earrings by Ghand Jewellery, which sold for QR180,000; ‘Ombres’ sapphire and yellow diamond studded white gold earrings by Leila Issam Fine Jewellery which fetched QR240,000 and ‘Pipe in Gold’ necklace made of white gold and natural pearls by Ghada Al Buainain Jewellery which fetched QR130,000. The auction concluded with the sale of six Chopard luxury watches and bangles which sold for a combined QR440,000.
The six designers are taking part at the second edition of Young Qatari Designers (YQDs) initiative under the Patronage of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister.
Launched last year, the YQDs initiative aimed to support and develop young creative talent by providing a global platform to present their jewellery. This year, it shines a spotlight on three new and three returning talented designers, including Nada Al Sulaiti (Hairaat), Nouf Al Meer (Nouf Jewellery), Ghada Al Buainain, Leila Abu Issa (Leila Issam Fine Jewellery), Shikha Mohamed (Al Ghla Jewellery), and Jawaher and Hissa Mohammed Al Mannai (Ghand Jewellery).
The designers showcase their unique collections alongside more than 490 acclaimed brands from 10 countries at the show which concludes today. Presented by Qatar Tourism Authority and delivered by Auditoire, DJWE 2018 features many new events and activities, in addition to daily industry talks, jewellery and watches workshops, free consultation and valuations.
