ENG-1970 — Page 73

The

"he physical beauty of Hong Kong has earned for it the graceful title 'Pearl of the Orient', but this is by no means its only link with the glamorous world of precious stones. Hong Kong, with its free port status and its ceaseless flow of visitors, is rapidly developing into one of the world's major retail jewellery markets. This is due in part to the bargain prices available in this keenly competitive market and partly to the skill and artistry of Hong Kong's designers and crafts- men. During 1970 the Diamond Importers Association of Hong Kong launched a worldwide campaign to spread the word of Hong Kong's unique advantages as a place to buy fine jewel- lery. The picture on the previous page shows a skilled operator putting the finishing touches to a ring, newly handmade in one of Hong Kong's many modern jewellery factories. Opposite, a diamond importer examines a shipment of diamonds rang- ing in size from one to ten carats and worth approximately $2-million, destined for the Hong Kong market.