LOVE is the central theme in this year's Singapore JewelFest (SJF).

Now in its seventh edition, this year's show returns with the 'Renaissance of Love'. The 10-day jewellery extravaganza, which opens today at the Jewel Pavilion at Ngee Ann City's Civic Plaza, will present up to $100 million worth of fine jewellery, including precious rare gems, unique creations and haute jewellery from Singapore and other countries.

Mr Joseph Hong, chairman of SJF 2009, says the festival aims to recapture the magic of love through jewellery appreciation.

He adds: 'Today's lifestyle is highly stressful and packed with activities. Sometimes, we forget what's most important - our loved ones and spending time with them.

'We hope to bring together jewellery lovers and those who want to reignite their moments and experience of love with their beloved by inviting them to join us at SJF 2009, where they get to see different interpretations of love from esteemed jewellery designers and brands. Visitors can also enjoy themselves at the Jewel Pavilion by sipping champagne and having a good time in a lush environment.'

This year, the Jewel Pavilion will transport visitors to a fantasyland adorned by fine jewellery in a two-part showcase - Love of Romance from Oct 9 to 13, and Love in all its Glory from Oct 14 to 18. The former showcases jewellery as gifts for courtship, bridal jewellery, wedding presents and anniversaries, while the latter presents jewellery as gifts to express love for mothers, sisters and friends.

Eminent international brands such as Fabergé and Mouawad add to the splendour of the festival with their intricate and alluring pieces that reflect the beauty of love.

Similarly, leading local jewellery brands, among them D'Meyson Jewellery, Goldheart Jewelry, Lee Hwa Jewellery, Poh Heng Jewellery, Soo Kee Jewellery and TianPo Jewellery, will be showcasing their signature creations based on the theme.

One of the highlights at the Jewel Pavilion is the Rare Coveted Treasures Showcase presented by Piper Heidsieck, official champagne of SJF 2009. Its spokesman says: 'We believe the SJF is an ideal platform for Piper Heidsieck to bring forth its ardour for life to the festival, celebrating love most audacious, liberated and passionate, expressed through fine jewellery appreciation.'

The Rare Coveted Treasures Showcase presents fine jewellery of extremely rare gemstones and precious materials such as Mouawad's Magnifique Amour necklace worth $4.8 million, Temple St Clair's Blue Tourmaline Halo Loop Ring worth $90,000, Baerjewels' La Diva pendant/ brooch worth $88,000, DeGem's Neo-Classical Romance necklace worth $1 million, Elliott & Carmen's Splendour earrings worth $598,000, and Fabergé's Hen Egg worth US$380,000.

Those who purchase any of the pieces in the Rare Coveted Treasures showcase will be entitled to participate in the Rare Lucky Draw and stand five chances to win the coveted Piper Heidsieck Rare Vintage 1988. Jewellery lovers who spend a minimum of $10,000 on a single item can also enjoy one chance in this Rare Lucky Draw.

While the pieces in the Rare Coveted Treasures represent the high-end jewellery brands, there are more affordable selections as well. Mr Hong expects this year's jewellery sales at SJF to match last year's $10 million. He says: 'SJF has always been about jewellery appreciation and the promotion of fine jewellery of high quality and design excellence.

We continuously bring to jewellery lovers fine jewels that have significance, not simply getting the best bargains, but rather, to give them the best value for their purchases, particularly for jewellery pieces whose value grow with time from both the emotional and practical standpoint.'

A glittering event

WHAT

Singapore JewelFest 2009

VENUE

Jewel Pavilion at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza

DATES

Oct 9 - Oct 18, Noon to 9pm

ADMISSION

Free

This article was first published in The Straits Times.