The 42nd Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the 12th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show concluded with approximately 80,000 buyers from 150 countries and regions attending the twin events organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show welcomed over 28,000 buyers from 125 countries, while the Jewellery Show attracted over 51,000 from 140 countries. Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, noted significant buyer growth from the Philippines, Korea, Australia, and Switzerland, alongside the debut of three new pavilions: the Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, the Zhushan Turquoise Pavilion, and the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Pavilion.
An on-site survey of 1,509 exhibitors and buyers conducted by the HKTDC revealed cautious optimism about the economic outlook. 44.3% of respondents expect sales to increase in the next one to two years, with 49% anticipating stable sales. Markets viewed as having good or very good growth potential for jewellery products include Korea (73.2%), ASEAN (71.8%), and the Chinese Mainland (68.5%). For expansion, most respondents plan to explore Europe (20.8%), ASEAN (16.8%), and the Chinese Mainland (15.3%). Technological advancements in artificial intelligence (66.1%), social media (43.7%), and big data (41.5%) are expected to significantly impact the industry over the next three years.
Product trends indicate strong growth potential for trendy fashion jewellery (57.3%), precious jewellery (35.1%), and designer jewellery (21.1%). Karat yellow gold (40.1%), karat white gold (31.7%), and pure gold (28%) are the most popular precious metals, while diamonds (28.8%), rubies (24.7%), and pearls (19.7%) lead in gemstones. The Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, led by the World Gold Council with 10 exhibitors from the Chinese Mainland, emerged as a highlight, with Regional CEO Roland Wang stating that the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show has been instrumental in helping Chinese gold manufacturers connect with international buyers. Sharon Weng, Deputy General Manager of YueHao Jewellery, emphasized the show's role in expanding overseas client bases, particularly in Southeast Asian markets like Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Sales exceeded expectations for many exhibitors. Youngeun Kim, founder of Soyou, a Korean exhibitor, reported connecting with buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Africa, and the United Kingdom, expecting a 30% sales increase. Hong Kong exhibitor SimStar Asia Limited secured multi-million-dollar orders from Europe and the United States, projecting a 10% annual sales rise. Turkish exhibitor Zen Diamond, represented by Export Sales Manager Emre Can, noted interest from the United Kingdom and the United States, alongside existing clients from Europe and South America. Over 50 designer exhibitors participated, including 10 Korean designers making their debut, with many receiving new enquiries from Europe, including Poland. A seminar by Paola De Luca, Founder and Creative Director of Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting, explored personalisation trends for younger consumers.
Global exhibitors tapped into new opportunities, with Uzbekistan making its debut. Fonon Jewelry House showcased gold pieces with Central Asian influences, drawing interest from buyers in the Chinese Mainland, Malaysia, and the Philippines, with expected sales of approximately USD 50 million. The Uzbekistan delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Jewellery Manufacturers' Association to promote Uzbekistan's jewellery globally. Buyers sought diverse offerings, such as Turkish buyer Kasapoglu Jewellery, which allocated over USD 900,000 for loose diamond sourcing, and US-based David Abraham & Co, which found the show to be a one-stop destination for services like certification and repolishing. China National Gold Group Gold Jewellery Co., Ltd. sourced turquoise and fine jewellery with a USD 200,000 procurement budget, noting growing demand for both high-end and mass-market pieces. Golden Silver Z.L S.A., a Latin American supplier, confirmed orders exceeding USD 1.9 million.
The shows adopted the EXHIBITION+ hybrid format, integrating online and offline elements through platforms like the HKTDC Marketplace App's "Click2Match" and hktdc.com Sourcing. For buyers unable to attend due to geopolitical issues, over 100 online business matching sessions were facilitated. E-commerce collaborations with Taobao Tmall and Douyin involved 10 exhibitors and over 30 influencers, generating over 35 million online impressions and sales exceeding USD 20 million. A Korean influencer sourced nearly USD 700,000 in purchases. Further details on the events can be found at https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkdgp/en and https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkjewellery/en.
