(Editor’s note: the following text was provided by the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok and has been minimally edited to conform with the magazine’s editorial style. It is being run as a preview to Showcase ’91, Israel’s annual Jewelry Week on January 8-10, 1991 in Jerusalem).
The Israeli jewelry industry is considered one of the leaders in the world market, and is fast becoming a serious competitor to industries larger and better established than herself. Amongst the reasons for this rapid expansion are the Israeli companies’ diversification of designs, their high quality of technology and their competitive prices.
Until fairly recently, Israel’s jewelry industry was small and primarily addressed the local market. However, within the last fourteen years, a revolution has occurred; the previously small workshops have developed into modern, high-tech industries that direct their sales towards the prosperous international market.
Israel does not include gold and diamonds amongst its natural resources, labor is not cheap and it is geographically removed from international customers and the world’s jewelry exchanges. Thus, the industry’s rapid development could almost be considered an economic miracle. Last year, Israel exported 250 million U.S. dollars worth of jewelry, about 70 percent of which went to the United States, and the remaining 30 percent to Britain Germany, France, Switzerland and Japan.
Worldwide demand for Israeli jewelry is rooted in its enormous diversity and unique design. Overseas customers appreciate, and are willing to pay for design which is characterized by innovation and originality. The jewelry exhibited by the 100 Israeli designers and manufacturers during the last Jewelry Week in Israel created great interest and excitement for the 250 buyers who came from all over the world.
Israeli jewelry design covers the gamut of styles: conservative, classical, innovative, ultra-modern, ethnic and folkloristic.
Along with traditional gold jewelry, diamonds and inland precious stones, chains, rings, bracelets, clip-earrings and brooches, many other styles are available:
- Silver sculptured pendants inland with semi-precious stones
- Square silver bracelets with creased design
- Interwoven smooth and rough textures
- Bracelets with raised designs
- Necklaces with three dimensional silver squares
- Sapphire and emerald inlaid bracelets
- Ethnic and folkloristic jewelry with engravings and filigrees
- Chains and rings designed in the style of antique jewelry found at archaeological excavations, and including inlays of ancient Hebrew letters
- Inlaid Roman-era glass and coins
- Byzantine and Islamic motifs
- Motifs from nature
- Jewish motifs and artifacts such as mezuzot and candle-sticks.
The reasonable price of Israeli jewelry is undoubtedly a factor in its attractiveness to buyers. The advantage of Israel over its competitors stems from the free trade agreement it has with the United States, which grants an exemption of 6 percent in customs duties on gold chains, and full exemptions on all other jewelry products. In addition, Israel has an agreement with the European Economic Community that exempts quota limitations and customs duties on jewelry.
Add to that the fact that Israel is a world center for diamonds and semi-precious stones based at the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan, and that it has an advanced diamond industry, and there are excellent reasons for success.
The industry’s dramatic change began in 1976. Foreign companies and outside investors who were impressed with the potential that existed in Israel decided to invest in the jewelry industry, erecting plants and introducing new technologies. The Israeli government began assisting and supporting the factories, granting them “approved plant” status.
Israel has set up institutes for the promotion of technological advancement and creativity in the industry. These include: the Center for Precious Metals at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology that carries out research; the Technology Center and the Omanit School in Tel Aviv and the Technological Institute in Jerusalem. The above centers of learning enable artists, designers and technicians to develop their skills and demonstrate their ability.
Israel regularly participates in international jewelry fairs through the Israel Export Institute. Next year, participation in nine different fairs has already been planned, as well as the organization of “international weeks” in Israel for the purpose of exposing local products to more customers.
The results are visible. Today, the jewelry industry includes 600 plants and workshops, 145 jewelry manufacturers, and a workforce of 4500, most of who work mainly in the export market.
From an export figure of 11 million U.S. dollars in 1976, export by the jewelry industry has reached 240 million dollars. The main objective of the industry for the coming years is to become a bridge between the world’s two main markets: the E.E.C. and the United States.
The industry in Israel is presently preparing for the newly emerging markets of Eastern Europe, initially targeting Poland and Hungary.