Gold jewellery can now be appraised for purity in just 10 seconds, broken gold chains can be repaired instantly, and new links can be forged through machines within seconds. These technological advancements are on display at the three-day International Jewellery Machinery Expo Bangladesh, which began yesterday at the International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka.
This inaugural exhibition aims to promote the integration of technology into traditional jewellery-making processes and transform the country’s gold industry into an export-oriented sector. The event, organized by the Bangladesh Jeweller’s Association (Bajus) in partnership with Indian company KNC Services, runs daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM under the theme “Technology for Excellence in Jewellery.”
The expo features 30 companies from 10 countries, including India, Italy, Turkey, the UAE, Germany, China, and Thailand, showcasing their latest products. A highlight is a computer-controlled machine capable of crafting intricate jewellery designs in minutes.
Another notable machine can appraise ornaments, revealing the precise carat value and the percentage of other metals within ten seconds. Arpon Dhar, director of RN MicroTech, which imports and distributes Aczet Company’s gold testing and hallmark machines, emphasized the machine’s capabilities.
Dhar also highlighted another machine that cleans gold ornaments, restoring their shine within 5 to 10 minutes. The price of these machines ranges from Tk 20,000 to Tk 1 lakh. Dhar expressed enthusiasm for the fair, noting the positive reception from buyers.
A visitor from the Karnaphuli area in Chattogram, who works at a jewellery shop, attended the fair to explore machines that could enhance their production processes. He plans to recommend these machines to his shop owner.
Samiul Islam, a sales engineer at Dreamz Instrument Technology, demonstrated a laser welding machine that can repair broken chains in seconds. He added that their machines are used to test gold in over 70 labs across the country.
Gunjan Priyadarshi, general manager of Indian company M Sakshi International, showcased automatic chain-making machines imported from China and Italy, priced between Tk 40 lakh to 60 lakh.
At the inauguration ceremony, Mahbubul Alam, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, stated that the gold industry could bring billions of dollars into the country with proper policy support. He noted that most jewellers currently sell handmade jewellery, which results in the loss of some precious metal, increasing costs. Machine-made jewellery would reduce this loss.
Bajus hopes the exhibition will encourage entrepreneurs to establish new jewellery factories in the country.