The event is being held at the Hilton Ballroom in a glittering exhibition that is open to the general public. “It was very difficult to bring all these exhibitors to the Kingdom,” said Hiya Al-Sunidi, the exhibition’s organizer.

First-time exhibitors were slow to be convinced that it would be a smooth journey. “They thought they were coming to Afghanistan or something,” she said, adding that the Kingdom’s customs and immigration have been extremely helpful in getting people and jewelry here.

“Even with the visas — the service was excellent,” she said.

The exhibition, which has taken six months to organize, covers the whole spectrum of precious metal jewelry — as opposed to fashion and base metal items — and includes watches. Prices range from entry level at as little as $100 through to $2 million.

A unique feature of the exhibition is a design competition for women graduates of Saudi colleges. The final day will see the contestants equipped with their materials set aside in a special booth where the public can watch them create a design for a piece of jewelry.

“They will get the chance to show their skills in the art of designing jewelry and accessories. The winner will get a trophy and perhaps the chance of having the winning piece made by a famous manufacturer,” said Ahad Elyas, one of the organizing staff.

The exhibition is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday. Tuesday, by tradition, is a ladies only day.