MUMBAI, June 23: A diamond is forever. The enduring charms of this exquisite stone were at display today at the Oberoi where the 12th India International Jewellery Show' 97 opened with a dazzling, but somewhat noisy fashion show. Nicky Oppenheimer, deputy chairman of both DeBeers Century AG and DeBeers Consolidated Mines and Mark Boston of the broking company H Goldie had specially flown in for the event. Their companies were co-sponsors with the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India for the show.Though the ingredients were just right - pretty models, great jewellery and competent choreography - the show seemed to drag on.

It went on for over one-and-a-half hours. The models obviously had a lot of urgent things to discuss as in between each item their nervous conversations could be clearly heard. The show obviously went on too long for the organisers too. At the end of it they hurriedly asked spectators to leave. A repeat performance of the show was due in half-an-hour's time.But all this did not matter to the winners. Ruchi Tandon, one of the winners in the Everyday Wear category said: ``It gives you a lot of exposure and an opportunity to show your creativity.'' Everyday Wear, though sounded a bit out-of-place as it included diamond bangles with three layers of diamonds and earrings over three inches long. The panel of judges included media personalities - Anuradha Mahindra, Nirja Shah and Meher Castelino and jewellery designers Farah Khan and Poonam Soni.De Beers will be holding a host of similar events this week.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.