Despite market, Israelis show at IJT. (Short Cuts).(International Jewelry Tokyo show)(Brief...

For Israeli diamond and gemstone exporters, Japan has proven to be disappointing market over the past several years, and the latest figures do not seem to reverse that trend. During the first two months of 2002, Israel exported $46.3 million worth of polished diamonds to the country, compared to $54 million during the same period in 2001.

But the Israelis have not given up on Japan. Indeed, the recent International Jewelry Tokyo (ITJ) show, held in January, featured a number of companies exhibiting for the first time. One of them was Gemstar/Eshed Diam, a manufacturer o