There is undoubtedly more and more amber on display at the Złoto Srebro Czas fair every year. The number of exhibitors from the amber sector is also growing – this year there will be around 30 of them. This gemstone is also appearing more and more frequently in the product ranges of companies that do not specialise in amber, including visual artists and jewellery designers, who are keen to incorporate it into their designs and even their collections. What is behind this change? One reason is the funding available for participation in specific domestic and international trade fairs, including „Złoto Srebro Czas”, under the PO IG 6.5 support programme, through which companies receive up to 75% of eligible costs. „Currently, 22 companies have signed agreements with the Ministry of Economy, of which 90% are amber-related firms,” says Paweł Montewka from the “Amber. Treasure of Poland” Consortium.
The second reason is the very high level of interest in amber from Asian buyers. „Warsaw is closer to Wólka Kossowska,” jokes Łukasz Kwiatkowski from Berkwiat. He then explains: „The vast majority of Asians visiting the Złoto Srebro Czas fair are people running businesses in the textile industry, and amber is another way for them to make money. The rest are people who buy amber jewellery for themselves and their loved ones. Often, these are the same customers we meet at the fair in Gdańsk – I’d estimate as many as around 80%.” However, it is not only the Chinese who visit the Warsaw fair. „Apparently, there are more customers here from southern Poland, for whom Gdańsk is simply too far away. There are virtually no foreign buyers of amber here,” says Marcin Szadziul from Image Silver.
For some exhibitors, a significant reason to exhibit at Gold Silver Time is the opportunity to offer products made from Colombian kopal and other fossil resins. „In Gdańsk, this is forbidden by the regulations. Polish companies generally don't take the risk, but the same cannot be said for the Lithuanians. There are no such restrictions in Warsaw, and we have customers for kopal jewellery and sculptures as well. And Chinese customers too,” says Łukasz Kwiatkowski.