Beijing's international exhibition center is holding a glittering event. This year's International Jewelry Expo is the biggest to date.

In the Gold items zone, exhibits present fresh ideas in design and technology.

A show named after the "twelve ladies" in the literary classic "A Dream of Red Mansions" displays a set of jade necklaces.

Besides domestic jewelry brands, 166 exhibitors from 15 countries and regions are also in attendance. Highlights include watches from Switzerland, and jade sculpture displays, and a first ever wedding jewelry zone.

Visitors say the scale and variety of this event exceed their expectations.

Organizers say there's something for nearly every budget. Pieces range from several hundred yuan to tens of millions of yuan.

Six hundred brands are displaying their products. And lectures are being held to help visitors learn more about what lies behind the sparkle.