The third edition of the African Gemstones and Jewelry Exhibition and Conference (AGJEC) promises to foster business growth, enhance skills and create opportunities for local businesses to participate in the mining value chain to contribute to a more diversified economy, organisers of the event have said.
The AGJEC, which holds in Lagos from the 26th to 28th of September, is a brainchild of the Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN), a non-profit organization that champions inclusion and empowerment of women in the Nigerian mining sector.
Dr Janet Adeyemi, president of WIMIN, said the program ‘has become a landmark event on the African Jewelry calendar since its inception in 2022. “It has delivered remarkable achievements.”
Adeyemi noted that by the 2023 edition, the Gemstones conference, through a collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals and African Gemstones and Jewelry Exhibition and Conference (AGJEC), has expanded its reach to include exhibitors from all over Africa, attracting a pan-African audience.
“Now designated as the sole hub for west Africa by AGJEC, Nigeria is poised to solidify its position in the region’s jewely and gemstone industry,” Adeyemi said.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s edition’s , Adeyemi said the ’jewelry and fashion fushion’ celebrates a unique collaboration between Nigeria’s thriving fashion scene and its jewelry designers. “This exciting partnership will culminate in a special curation project featuring exquisite pieces, captivation fashion and jewelry enthusiasts worldwide,” she said.
Another highlight of the event are the master-classes training workshops holding at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island alongside the exhibition, which holds at the ECOBANK headquarters Victoria Island building on Ozumba Mbadiwe street. Some of the skills to be taught at the two-day workshop are: design principles, gemstones identification by properties, fundamentals of faceting, fundamentals of jewelry making, introduction to beadwork, metal working basics and jewelry restoration.
Miss Universe Nigeria Crown
In 2003, the organization partnered with Silverbird to create the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant crown. Crafted by Nigerian designers using local content, this stunning piece garnered global attention and spotlighted the exceptional artistry and skill of Nigeria’s jewelry professionals. Furthermore, it serves as a symbol of Nigeria’s potential for economic diversification, promoting the jewelry sector as a contributor to the national economy.
