Every year International Jewellery London welcomes new brands from across the globe and the 2016 edition is no different. This year, we are pleased to welcome sterling silver chain and finished jewellery specialist Yamamori Co Ltd.
Founded in 1950, Yamamori was the first company to manufacture machine-made jewellery chains in Japan. Around 25 years ago, Yamamori set up a second factor in Surabaya, Indonesia, specifically for the production of silver 925 machine-made and hand-made chains, earrings, bracelets, necklaces and other components and findings.
Today, its sales and marketing staff work across the world in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Malaysia, Italy and New York’s iconic jewellery quarter.
Yamamori Co Ltd’s William A. Graham, who works in sales and marketing, answers our questions here…
Q: What made Yamamori decide to exhibit at IJL in 2016 and what are your aims for the show?
WG: Reading about the additional groups and types of buyers who visit IJL, such as airline companies and High Street retail chains who don’t exhibit and therefore can only be met at shows. Over the past two years we have concentrated on the design and production of silver jewellery (earrings, bracelets, necklaces), which we already show in Hong Kong twice a year.
In addition, through our own efforts at marketing and a huge customer contact base, many of our designs are garnering more and more interest, even as far as Tiffany & Co. in New York, who buy a particular earring set of ours.
I believe it’s now time for us to exhibit at IJL, as I am convinced there are many more opportunities to expand our UK client base through IJL and meet new potential buyers who are as yet only vaguely aware of our name.
Q: Are there any brands or retailers in particular who you are trying to reach?
WG: No particular brands, but our minimum order quantity is such that even individual designers who work from home already buy from us. But more simply put, I’d be hoping to meet any company interested in our jewellery or machine chains, whether they be an individual business, wholesaler, importer or retail chain.
Q: Have you noticed any shifting consumer tastes recently?
WG: I have noted the mixing up of colours, even with chains, where silver is mixed with yellow and red gold and black ruthenium plating (Ruthenium).
Q: What are your thoughts on the silver jewellery industry in general at the moment – are you feeling positive?
WG: I personally don’t see any major issues, and the silver market price has remained relatively stable for over two years now, which usually encourages/ensures buying. In some counties, silver is the new gold and with colour platings being quite commonplace I’d expect the silver jewellery industry to remain fairly stable, if not expand further. Countries which once dismissed silver as poor man’s jewellery are now flaunting it.