The 42nd Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the 12th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show concluded successfully, collectively attracting approximately 80,000 buyers from 150 countries and regions. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) under a "Two Shows, Two Venues" format, the events hosted about 4,000 exhibitors from over 40 countries. Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, noted significant buyer attendance growth from the Philippines, Korea, Australia, and Switzerland, reinforcing the shows' international standing.
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% anticipate 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 are expected to significantly impact the industry, with artificial intelligence (66.1%), social media (43.7%), and big data (41.5%) cited as key drivers 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 government's plans to strengthen Hong Kong's status as an international gold trading market are expected to boost demand. The World Gold Council led 10 exhibitors from the Chinese Mainland to launch the Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, a major highlight. Roland Wang, Regional CEO, stated that the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show has been instrumental in helping Chinese gold manufacturers connect with international buyers, with focus on Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and India.
Sales exceeded expectations for many exhibitors. Youngeun Kim, founder of Korean exhibitor Soyou, reported connecting with buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Africa, and the UK, expecting a 30% sales increase. Hong Kong exhibitor SimStar Asia Limited secured million-dollar orders from Europe and the US, projecting a 10% annual sales increase. Designer jewellery is rising, with over 50 designer exhibitors, including 10 Korean debutants. A seminar by Paola De Luca, Founder and Creative Director of Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting, explored personalisation trends for younger consumers. The shows also hosted three design competitions, showcasing winning pieces to foster designer-manufacturer ties.
Global exhibitors tapped new opportunities, with Uzbekistan making its debut. Fonon Jewelry House showcased Central Asian-inspired gold pieces, drawing strong interest. Alisher Romanov, Head of Foreign Economic Affairs, noted using Hong Kong as a springboard into Asian markets, 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 its jewellery globally. Buyers sought diverse offerings, with Turkish buyer Kasapoglu Jewellery setting a procurement budget over USD 900,000 for loose diamonds, and US-based David Abraham & Co. finding the show a one-stop destination for services and sourcing.
The HKTDC adopted an online-offline hybrid format through EXHIBITION+, enabling AI-powered business matching via the HKTDC Marketplace App's "Click2Match" and hktdc.com Sourcing. For buyers unable to attend, over 100 online matching sessions were facilitated. E-commerce channels tapped the Chinese Mainland market, with platforms like Taobao Tmall and Douyin partnering in campaigns generating over 35 million online impressions and sales exceeding USD 20 million. A Korean influencer sourced nearly USD 700,000 in purchases. These initiatives highlight Hong Kong's role as a super connector, helping exhibitors expand global business opportunities amidst evolving market dynamics.
