ISTANBUL PRECIOUS MINERALS AND JEWELLERY EXPORTERS' ASSOCIATION

.....Istanbul Precious Minerals and Jewellery Exporters' Association was founded in July 2003 and it has 842 members. The Association is a fundamental organization that fosters precious metals and jewellery exports, prompts exporters to reach more markets abroad and to secure a greater share in these markets and it is affiliated to the Prime Ministry of Republic of Turkey Undersecreteriat of Foreign Trade.
Basic aims of Istanbul Precious Minerals and Jewellery Exporters' Association can be summarized as:

- Increasing exports,
- Providing better promotion of the sector in the international domain,
- Organizing the professional relations and activities of exporters,
- Finding solutions to all types of problems,
- Guiding the export activities of member firms.

Istanbul Precious Minerals and Jewellery Exporters' Association carries out all documentary work concerning export operations, guidance for foreign importers to meet the right producers in Turkey , sponsorship of participation at international fairs and exhibitions in order to introduce Turkish Precious Minerals and Jewellery Industry export products in world markets.

TURKISH PRECIOUS MINERALS AND JEWELLERY INDUSTRY

Turkish Jewellery Industry

Export of jewellery products made of precious metals has increased significantly over the last 10 years in Turkey . This increase elevated Turkey 's standing to one of the global leaders in the industry. Turkey has the total capacity to produce 400 tons of gold and 200 tons of silver annually, however this capacity is not fully utilized. Turkey mostly ranks among the top-five countries in the world in gold jewellery production. And also, world jewellery authorities point out Turkey as a rival to Italy in this field. The production and export figures that are published also in international professional magazines, approve this situation.
At present, there are more than 50 major companies in which 200-1500 qualified workers are employed. The industry is a huge one amongst the Turkish manufacturing industries and employs about 250 thousand people currently.
The center for gold jewellery production is Istanbul . However, production in Ankara and Izmir is also extensive. Some cities in East and Southeast Anatolia also produce gold jewellery. A gold stock exchange was established in 1995 at Istanbul and a gold refinery began production in February 2002.

Turkey's Semi-Precious Stones Although there has not been any clear definition of semi-precious stones, it is accepted that stones except from diamond, emerald, sapphire and ruby are semi-precious stones. Semi-precious stones are used mainly in jewellery and manufacturing ornamental objects. In jewellery, minerals and stones used with silver have usually been defined as semi-precious stones. Special stones (black amber, iridized opal) used together with gold hardly have presence in the market since a worldwide habit of usage is uncommon.
Semi-precious stones, drawing immense interest on the part of the jewelry sector in recent years, are partially present in Turkey; when conditions of geological formation are considered, it is highly probable that stones of other kinds can be identified. However, for tapping semi-precious stones in Turkey that have production potential, training should be available on the subject and those living in the vicinity of deposits should be made more conscious.
While workshops in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir working at simple cutting, shaping and sculpting the stone and hobby shops selling precious and semi-precious stones and minerals partially create a market for domestic production, in the past decade, investments have been aimed at building facilities to carve semi-precious stones. For example, it was achieved the project of bijouterie production from obsidian stone supported by KOSGEB (Small and Medium Industry Development Organization) in Kars.

TURKISH PRECIOUS MINERALS AND JEWELLERY INDUSTRY'S EXPORT

.....The gold jewellery sector of Turkey has turned its attention to exporting its product in recent years. Although gold jewellery is a new sector on the exports scene of Turkey, its performance is quite good and exporting value has increased dramatically. Namely the exports totaled US$ 842.6 million in 2004 while the exports were only US$ 2.8 million worth in 1992. According to official figures, gold jewellery export was about 105 tons in 2004. Taking into account the touristical and informal sales, total export is estimated to be over 150 tons.

...Jewellery produced by an intense accumulation of information and technology and ornate concept of design were exported to a total of 130 countries. In 2004, the US occupied the first place in our jewellery exports with US$ 323 million . The United Arab Emirates was in the second place with US$ 96.9 million and Switzerland in the third place with 50 US$ million. Germany is in the fourth place with US$ 43.9 million. Russian Federation, Italy, Libya and Israel are other notable countries for our jewellery exports.