(Israel Diamond Exchange)

Israel will be hosting hundreds of diamond dealers from all over the globe during the winter edition of the International Diamond Week in Israel, which is taking place between February 14 and 18 at the Israel Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan.

The renowned British jeweler Stephen Webster will be the event's Guest of Honor. Webster, called jeweler to the stars, has received an MBE for his service to the British Jewellery Industry, will be on the stage at the opening ceremony on February 15, and will take part in a diamond and jewelry marketing panel discussion in the afternoon. "I am excited to be coming back to Israel after an absence of more than 20 years, and look forward to take part in the International Diamond Week in Israel. High quality diamonds are an integral part of my own jewelry creations, as well as the jewelry of the house of Garrard. I expect to be seeing a lot of those quality diamonds on the exchange floor during my visit!"said Webster.

Israel Diamond Exchange President Yoram Dvash said Webster's arrival was very welcome. "One of my goals as president is to create much closer relationships with the world's trendsetting jewelry designers and producers. Israel, as the world's leading specialist in larger fancy shaped diamonds and fancy color diamonds has lots to offer to the top end of the jewelry design and manufacturing market. I am confident that Mr. Webster will be inspired with what he finds on our trading floor during the International Diamond Week in Israel!" Dvash stated.

As in previous editions, the event will feature a diamond technology show where visitors can become acquainted with the latest tools to help further their business. The event will be attended by Nobel-prize winner Prof Dr. Dan Shechtman, who not only has done significant research in diamonds, but also is an amateur jeweler!

The diamond and jewelry marketing panel discussion will include leading diamond industry figures in addition to Stephen Webster, such as Jean Marc Lieberherr, Chairman of the Diamond Producers Association; Alex Popov, Chairman of the World Diamond Mark Foundation, and Patricia Syvrud, Executive Director of the World Diamond Council.

Official delegations of diamond buyers from Panama, Italy and Hong Kong, will be joined by representatives of more than 20 countries, among them Turkey, Russia, the US, China, Belgium, India, Germany, Switzerland and more. They will find hundreds of Israeli companies exhibiting their goods on the Diamond Exchange trading floor, offering the widest assortment of diamonds and in particular larger diamonds manufactured using Israel's expert polishing techniques.

Israel is well-known for its specialization in large, fancy shaped diamonds and fancy colored diamonds, and the International Diamond Week in Israel is scheduled to include an auction of such special diamonds.