"It's been many years since I have seen anything like that at the exchange." "The atmosphere is electrifying." Those were just some of the words of praise for the US/International Diamond Week that took place at the Israel Diamond Exchange last week.
The March 17-20 US/International Diamond Week has received an overwhelming number of expressions of praise and support from diamantaires who took part in it. Everyone agrees that it was successful on an unprecedented scale. "It's been decades since I have seen anything like that at the exchange", said one of the participants in the show, while another described the atmosphere as "electrifying".
Atmosphere was "electrifying". Photo: Fucs
"The past week was an exceptional one for the diamond exchange". Photo: Fucs
Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) President Yair Sahar said: "There is no doubt that it was an historic event. The excitement was extraordinary. I have been a bourse member for 30 years and I have never experienced such excitement. DDC NY President Reuven Kaufman said the event caused ripples of interest overseas, not just in Israel. "Diamantaires in New York and the United States very much appreciate what was done here. The first event (the Israel Diamond Week) took place in New York last December and was continued here. Congratulations to Yair Sahar for his vision and great initiative in creating such a successful event."
VP, Global Sales, De Beers, Varda Shine, who officially opened the event, said: "Israel leads the world in innovation. I am proud and very excited to see how you reinvent yourselves anew each time."
Bumi Traub, the President of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA), said: "I have no doubt that the fact that we are here working together will strengthen the Israeli diamond sector and be to the good of all of us."
Following the Diamond Week, Traub, together with his deputy, David De Toledo, sent a joint letter to Yair Sahar. "With the conclusion of the buyers' week we want to congratulate you on the success of the event. We are in little doubt that the Diamond Week will contribute a great deal to the promotion of our diamond business. We wish you, and all the leadership of the exchange, the greatest success in organizing more such events in the future."
The Israeli Diamond Controller, Shmuel Mordechai, said: "The past week was an exceptional one for the diamond exchange. We have not seen such levels of activity and business for many decades. It left a wonderful taste in my mouth and I hope we will do it again."
The leading figures who gave presentations and the bourse's guests also sent their congratulations. Home Affairs Minister Avi Dichter said: "I don't know anything about diamonds, and it is possible that they do indeed sparkle, but I saw the spark in the eyes of the people – and people are the area that I do know well. It was very moving to see so many people – both Israelis and guests from abroad."
Tom Moses, senior vice-president of the Gemological Institute of America, said: "One tour of the trading hall managed to fill me with energy. There is no doubt that the cooperation between the Israeli and New York exchanges will have an impact not just on them but on the global diamond trade."
Meanwhile, British jewelry tycoon Laurence Graff said: "My congratulations to you. This is an excellent idea." He then took out a small camera and took a picture of the trading hall teeming with activity.
From among the many comments we received from people taking part in the Diamond Week, we will quote one from an Israeli traders, and one from an American.
Ori Fogel, from Diamond Boutique, speaking on the new atmosphere that swept through the exchange, said: "There is no doubt whatsoever that this event brings in a positive feeling and led all of us to come to the trading hall and to use this unique new platform for doing business – meetings between people as a way of creating transactions."
Meanwhile, Yanai Kotari from New York, wrote to Yair Sahar and Reuven Kaufman: "My congratulations to you on the organization of such a successful fair. Your teams did amazing work to enable the event to go off smoothly and without any hiccups. Our industry has suffered in recent years from the impact of the Internet. Traditionally, our way of doing business is with a handshake. The Internet takes away the human element of doing business.
"This event encourages buyers, sellers and dealers to meet each other. Relations warm up when there is a personal connection. Relations are strengthened by body language. I am a New Yorker who came to Israel often until 2004 and I haven't been here until this Diamond Week. Destination Israel dropped off my business map. But now I am waiting to renew my business trips to Israel."
