Diamond-studded 'Statue of Unity' to dazzle at Sparkle

Surat: The dazzling display of the diamond-studded miniature 'Statute of Unity', a 5.5 feet tall Lord Janardan idol weighing 200 kg studded with over 20,000 Swarovski diamonds and a pair of diamond-studded silver shoe are set to be a major attraction at the four-days long gems and jewellery show 'Sparkle-2016' starting from Friday.
Designed by the city-based BR Design jewellers, these statues and diamond-studded shoes will be displayed for the first time at the Sparkle event organised by the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI).
"The 'Statute of Unity' and the pair of diamond studded shoes are not for sale, because they are priceless for us. But, the statute of Lord Janardhana cost Rs 27 lakh, while the royal procession is priced at Rs 15 lakh," said Dilip Shah, owner of BR Designs.
The Sparkle-2016 event will be inaugurated on Friday by the chairman of Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Praveen Shanker Pandya.
The event is being organised at the Surat International Exhibition and Convention Centre (SIECC) on the 5,000 square meter area. Around 85 exhibitors including diamond and jewellery companies, leading jewellers, gemstone dealers, diamond machine manufacturers are participating.
Pravin Nanavaty, chairman of the organizing committee of SGsaid, "With the view to avoid thefts and other incidents, the entire event area will be on the CCTV surveillance for 24X7. Around 210 CCTV cameras have been fitted inside the event area and each stall have one to two CCTV cameras. The visitors will have to pass from three layers of security to get access into the show."