The 42nd Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the 12th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show concluded successfully, drawing some 80,000 buyers from 150 countries and regions. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) under the “Two Shows, Two Venues” format, the twin shows featured about 4,000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries and regions. The Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show welcomed over 28,000 buyers, while the Jewellery Show attracted over 51,000 buyers. Buyer attendance from the Philippines, Korea, Australia and Switzerland recorded significant growth, according to Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC.
The shows included over 30 industry seminars and events. Three new pavilions debuted: the Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, the Zhushan Turquoise Pavilion and the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Pavilion. Exhibitors and buyers expressed cautious optimism about the economic outlook, with 44.3% of respondents expecting overall sales to increase in the next one to two years, and 49% expecting stable sales, based on an on-site survey of 1,509 exhibitors and buyers.
Korea and ASEAN are seen as key growth markets. 73.2% of respondents view Korea as having good or very good growth potential, followed by ASEAN (71.8%), Chinese Mainland (68.5%), Taiwan (65.3%) and Australia (64.1%). In terms of development potential, 20.8% plan to explore Europe, 16.8% ASEAN, and 15.3% the Chinese Mainland or Japan. 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 show trendy fashion jewellery (57.3%), precious jewellery (35.1%) and designer jewellery (21.1%) have the strongest growth potential. Karat yellow gold (40.1%) is the most popular precious metal, followed by karat white gold (31.7%) and pure gold (28%). Diamonds remain the most popular gemstone (28.8%), ahead of rubies (24.7%) and pearls (19.7%).
The Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, led by the World Gold Council, was a major highlight. Regional CEO Roland Wang noted that the show helped Chinese gold manufacturers connect with international buyers, with a focus on Southeast Asia, the Middle East and India. YueHao Jewellery’s Deputy General Manager Sharon Weng said the show provided an ideal platform to expand overseas client bases, including connections with Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Sales exceeded expectations for many exhibitors. Korean exhibitor Soyou connected with buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Africa and the UK, projecting 30% sales growth. Hong Kong exhibitor SimStar Asia Limited secured orders worth millions of US dollars from Europe and the US, with strong demand for high-clarity white diamonds and rare colored diamonds. Turkish exhibitor Zen Diamond found interest from UK and US buyers, while Uzbek exhibitor Fonon Jewelry House connected with buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Malaysia and the Philippines, expecting 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 bilateral trade.
Designer jewellery gained traction as younger consumers seek personalization. Over 50 designer exhibitors, including 10 Korean designers, participated. A seminar by Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting explored emerging design trends. Three design competitions were held, including the inaugural International Fei Cui Jewellery Design Competition.
The HKTDC implemented support measures for buyers affected by geopolitical issues, including on-site promotional material placement and flight rearrangements. The EXHIBITION+ hybrid format allowed online business matching via the HKTDC Marketplace App, facilitating over 100 online sessions. E-commerce partnerships with Taobao Tmall and Douyin generated over 35 million online impressions and sales exceeding USD 20 million. A Korean influencer sourced nearly USD 700,000 in products.
The twin shows reaffirmed Hong Kong’s role as a super connector and super value-adder in the global jewellery trade, providing a platform for exhibitors to expand global business opportunities.
