Editor’s Note
The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, a cornerstone event for the industry, opened this week to mark its 30th anniversary. We examine its evolution and enduring role as a key global business platform.
The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show grandly opened on March 5 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the exhibition has grown into a premier industry event delivering significant business results for both participating companies and visitors over more than a decade. After a brief shift to February last year, the schedule returned to March, running for a total of five days until the 9th.
According to the organizer, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), this year’s exhibition attracted over 3,300 companies from 49 countries worldwide (up from 3,100 companies from 48 countries last year). Seventeen countries, including Thailand, Japan, Italy, the USA, Turkey, and India, along with seven organizations like the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), formed collective pavilions.
The exhibition was structured around 10 themed pavilions focused on key market segments to help buyers easily find companies of interest. These included the ‘Hall of Fame’ showcasing top brands’ best products, the ‘Extraordinary Hall’ filled with premium and high-end jewellery, the ‘Antique & Vintage Jewellery Gallery’ for classic jewellery and watches, the ‘Designer Gallery’, ‘Exclusive Showroom’, and the ‘Jadeite Hall’.
Side events included a colorful mini-parade and the display of award-winning pieces from the ’14th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition’ throughout the exhibition period. Professional seminars were also held to explore the latest jewellery trends and industry developments.
Led by the prominent Italian pavilion, the overall trend in exhibited jewellery designs featured high-quality pieces with oversized colored stone settings. Monochromatic designs in white gold or yellow gold were frequently seen, more so than combination designs.
Despite the ongoing market downturn following the international economic crisis, the show’s scale expanded further. Feedback from participating companies was mixed.
said designer KAREN from ‘KAREN COLLECTION’ (a former Miss Asia), whose Hong Kong-based company exhibited in the Extraordinary Hall.
said the representative of the ‘Michal wong’ brand, exhibiting in the Designer Gallery, praising the show’s international stature.
expressed the representative of the French brand TRIMORO.
Conversely, a representative from the Hong Kong company KUSION JEWELRY in the Designer Gallery voiced dissatisfaction:
The Korean Pavilion also saw a steady stream of buyers, showcasing its brilliant performance. A total of 33 domestic companies participated with 53 booths. The Korean Pavilion, formed under the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), comprised 28 companies with 48 booths, marking the largest participation ever for the March show.
Among the mounting products attracting numerous buyers, Korean mounting products stood out for their superior design and quality competitiveness compared to other countries.
commented Kim Bae-seop, Chairman of JMC KOREA, the export business division of the Korea Jewellery Manufacturers Association.