By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter

While customers in the Far East are flexible, Gulf buyers are very choosy and selective, according to traders at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition at the Doha Exhibitions Center.
Pranay Saboo of Saboo Jewels of Hong Kong, whose company is exhibiting in Doha for the eighth year running said customers in the region want items that are “extremely nice and unique”.
“The local customer will not settle for anything that they consider inferior,” said Pranay, whose booth at AlFardan Pavilion has on display at least half a dozen pieces of what he calls “no-heat” ruby, sapphire and emerald, each of which costs anywhere between QR3mn and QR3.5mn. Apart from the precious stones, the booth also has an enormous array of Mughal styled diamond studded ornaments.
One of the most frequented booths at the pavilion, Saboo’s has an illustrious history in the manufacturing and trading of gems and the owners are in the third generation of business.
The jeweller’s rich array of handcrafted Kundan Meena collections of bangles is eye-catching and have exceptionally good demand among the region’s clients, according to local diamond collectors.
The company booth also prominently displays unique collections of modern ethnic and pearl jewellery. Saboo’s princess collection of diamonds has enormous appeal in the regional markets.  “However, our core area of business consists of sale of Red to Pigeons’ Blood red rubies, emeralds, diamonds and Kashmir sapphires,” adds Pranay.
Saboo’s Titanium collection of diamonds too has remarkable patronage in the Middle East market.