Record visitor pre-registration – the number crossed 27,000 -- had provided an early indication that crowded aisles would be a dominant feature of IIJS 2011; and the first three days of the show have seen just that. The responsibility for the long queues – of cars waiting to enter the venue, visitors waiting to enter the halls, cannot be attributed only to the heightened security in the wake of last month’s bomb blasts. In absolute terms there are actually many more people.

If visitors are a bit inconvenienced by the rush, exhibitors are not complaining. The larger numbers represent the enormous potential of the Indian market, a potential they have come here to tap.

Anil Tambi of Emerald Mines Co. of Thailand is already pleased with the results of the first three days. “This is our 6th year at IIJS and the show gets better and better. There are a good number of visitors and most of them are focused buyers, here to do some serious scouting around before placing orders.”

Prices are a recurrent theme across categories and throughout the Halls. In the Polished Diamonds section Anshul Mehta of Rosy Blue informs us that “Price is definitely one of the most critical challenges facing the industry right now and it is only inevitable that its impact will be seen at the show also.”

Jewellery manufacturer, Shailesh Sangani of Priority Jewels also expresses similar sentiments. “The mood of the buyers is cautious. They are placing orders with far more care and thought, as the price hikes are really causing concern.”