The 42nd Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the 12th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show concluded successfully, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) under a "Two Shows, Two Venues" format. Together, the twin shows attracted approximately 80,000 buyers from 150 countries and regions. The Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show welcomed over 28,000 buyers from 125 countries, while the Jewellery Show drew over 51,000 from 140 countries.
Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, noted the events hosted about 4,000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries, with significant buyer attendance growth from the Philippines, Korea, Australia, and Switzerland. Over 30 industry seminars and events were held, and three pavilions made their debut: the Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, the Zhushan Turquoise Pavilion, and the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Pavilion.
An on-site HKTDC survey of 1,509 exhibitors and buyers revealed cautious optimism about the economic outlook. 44.3% of respondents expect overall sales to increase in the next one to two years, while 49% expect stable sales. Markets viewed as having good growth potential for jewellery include Korea (73.2%), ASEAN (71.8%), and the Chinese Mainland (68.5%). For development, most plan to explore Europe (20.8%), ASEAN (16.8%), and the Chinese Mainland (15.3%). Technological advancements expected to impact the industry most are artificial intelligence (66.1%), social media (43.7%), and big data (41.5%).
Product trends indicate strong growth potential for trendy fashion jewellery (57.3%), precious jewellery (35.1%), and designer jewellery (21.1%). Popular precious metals include karat yellow gold (40.1%), karat white gold (31.7%), and pure gold (28%), while popular gemstones are diamonds (28.8%), rubies (24.7%), and pearls (19.7%).
The government's Budget Speech plans to strengthen Hong Kong's status as an international gold trading market, expected to boost gold demand. The World Gold Council led 10 exhibitors from the Chinese Mainland to launch the Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, a major highlight. Regional CEO Roland Wang stated the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show has helped Chinese gold manufacturers connect with international buyers, focusing on markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and India. Sharon Weng, Deputy General Manager of YueHao Jewellery, noted the show provided an ideal platform for expanding overseas client bases, including connections in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Sales exceeded expectations for many exhibitors. Youngeun Kim, founder of Soyou, a Korean exhibitor, connected with buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Africa, and the UK, expecting a 30% sales increase. Hong Kong exhibitor SimStar Asia Limited secured orders from Europe and the US, with transactions in the millions of USD, projecting a 10% annual sales increase. Demand remains robust for high-clarity white diamonds and rare red and blue diamonds.
The Hall of Fame grew by over 40%. Emre Can, Export Sales Manager of Zen Diamond, a Turkish exhibitor, noted interest from the UK and US, with existing clients from Europe and South America attending, highlighting the global appeal of branded jewellery.
Over 50 designer exhibitors participated, including 10 Korean designers making their debut. A seminar by Paola De Luca, Founder and Creative Director of Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting, explored emerging design trends and personalisation for younger consumers. Three design competitions were held: the 27th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition, the Hong Kong International Fashion Chuk Kam Jewellery Design Competition, and the inaugural International Fei Cui Jewellery Design Competition, with winning pieces displayed.
Global exhibitors tapped new opportunities, with Uzbekistan making its debut. Fonon Jewelry House showcased gold pieces with Central Asian influences, drawing strong interest. Alisher Romanov, Head of Foreign Economic Affairs, aims to use Hong Kong as a springboard into Asian markets, expecting sales of approximately USD 50 million. Another Uzbek exhibitor received a USD 35 million order from a Hong Kong buyer. 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. Turkish buyer Kasapoglu Jewellery aimed to source new loose diamond suppliers with a budget over USD 900,000. US-based David Abraham & Co found the show a one-stop destination for services like certification and repolishing, meeting 35 exhibitors in a day. China National Gold Group Gold Jewellery Co., Ltd. sourced turquoise samples and explored fine jewellery, noting growing demand for both high-end gemstones and mass-market jewellery, with a procurement budget of USD 200,000. Golden Silver Z.L S.A., a Latin American supplier, confirmed orders exceeding USD 1.9 million.
Due to geopolitical impacts, some buyers could not attend in person. The HKTDC provided support measures, including flight and accommodation rearrangements. The shows adopted the EXHIBITION+ hybrid format, enabling online-offline integration through the HKTDC Marketplace App's "Click2Match" and hktdc.com Sourcing. Over 100 online business matching sessions were facilitated for affected buyers. E-commerce channels tapped the Chinese Mainland market, with platforms like Taobao Tmall and Douyin partnering, generating over 35 million online impressions and sales exceeding USD 20 million. A Korean influencer sourced purchases totalling close to USD 700,000.
