'Inheritance and Identities project aims to improve artisans' capabilities, and promote shopping and tourism in traditional jewelry communities in Thailand.

The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT) has announced the launch of 'Inheritance and Identities', a project aimed at highlighting the country's community gem and jewelry industry.

"This is one of our key projects in 2018," Ms Duangkamol Jiambutr, the director of GIT, says. "Our main objectives are to enhance the capability of the workforce in the gem and jewelry industry, and help them develop the products to meet market needs.

"We also expect to create awareness of gem and jewelry products from local communities among tourists and jewelry lovers from every corner of the world."

From the beginning of the project, GIT's team has targeted local communities in several provinces throughout Thailand.

"Dan Kwian, a sub-district in Nakhon Ratchasima province, was our first target," Ms Jiambutr says. "GIT's experts have worked with the villagers to modernize the design of their ceramic jewelry, while preserving its uniqueness. We hope the new design will help them increase their consumer base.

"The GIT held a workshop on gold design at Sukhothai, and on silver design in Chiang Mai to identify talented designers that could join our project and help transform Thai jewelry with its unique local characteristics into modern and contemporary jewelry."

In addition to design development, the GIT will focus on marketing the jewelry products through cooperating with partners to expand distribution channels.

"We have displayed and sold gems and jewelry products at GIT shops. Moreover, the GIT, in collaboration with the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Department of Business Development (DBD) has found new online and offline distribution channels," the GIT director adds.

"By coordinating with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), we have introduced new travel routes for gems and jewelry, which allow tourists to visit local communities and experience how Thai craftsmanship, such as jewelry, is created, as well as buying quality gems and jewelry products for themselves and their loved ones."

The GIT will showcase jewelry products from the project at the 61st Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair, hosted by the DITP from February 21 to 25 at IMPACT Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani.

"Local artisans participating in our project will show their talent and capabilities through the jewelry displayed at the fair," Ms Jiambutr says, adding that the project will help local artisans to better serve the demands of buyers, and expand their customer base.

"We expect to see local artisans sell more jewelry and increase their income. This project not only helps create jobs and generate income in local communities, but also helps preserve the heritage of valuable Thai craftsmanship," Ms Jiambutr says.