Editor’s Note
This article highlights platinum’s growing market appeal, driven by favorable pricing and technical innovation, as showcased at a major industry event.
An international panel of jewellery experts highlighted platinum’s present and distinct advantages of price and technical brilliance at the Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong 2025 trade show.
Presented by Platinum Guild International (PGI) on September 19 as part of the five-day trade show, the event advocated capitalising on platinum’s strong business potential as the cost of gold soars and innovation opens new avenues for expansion into emerging markets and varied product lines.
PGI stated that the role of exploring new consumer segments, developing new technology such as electroforming and novel alloys, and establishing a digital footprint for sourcing were among the factors enhancing the precious metal’s intrinsic strength, resilience and shine.
PGI said its panel was a key draw of the yearly jewellery fair, held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, and this year welcomed the largest representation of platinum jewellery in a decade.
PGI also hosted the Platinum Pavilion, showcasing “cutting-edge” collections by producers in China and India, and co-sponsored ‘Sublime Shine: Metal Innovation in the Art of Jewellery’, a large-scale exhibition detailing the alloy’s achievements in ethical sourcing and technical ingenuity.
Titled ‘The Platinum Advantage: Markets, Business and Innovation’, the hour-long panel discussion attracted a packed crowd at the Grand Hall Main Stage, including honoured guests Gaetano Cavalieri, president of the World Jewellery Confederation, and Likui Zhang, deputy general secretary of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China.
Moderated by PGI global director of innovation and product development Tai Wong, PGI said the insightful exchange underlined platinum’s value as a priority choice for jewellery manufacturers and suggested strategies to boost platinum portfolios beyond the traditional bridal ring segment and established geographical regions.
Reflecting both the current global surge in platinum’s allure and the industry’s diversity, the panel united industry leaders from Asia, Oceania and America. It comprised Andy Zhou of Kingli Group in China, Avinash Pahuja of ORO Precious Metals from India, Jason Brimelow of Brimelow Group operating in Australia and Southeast Asia, Josh Helmich of Helmich Luxury Group in the US; and Noriyuki Kamei from Kuwayama Corporation based in Japan.
PGI noted that Zhou perceived a shift in focus towards platinum at the fair, spurred by high gold prices. Invigorated by the interest shown in new technology from Japan and Italy adopted by Kingli, he was bullish about the future of platinum exports from China.
Kamei, similarly, noted the growth potential outside Kuwayama’s home market, especially in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East.
The panel also spotlighted the benefits of product diversification. For example, Kuwayama’s strategy of expanding product offerings beyond chains and bridal rings to men’s and fashion jewellery, and ORO’s move into highly engineered products that include mixed materials, bi-metal and mechanised components are gaining traction and momentum in sales.
To facilitate the transition from gold to platinum, he called for greater understanding of manufacturing advancements and further emphasis at the retail level of platinum’s unique attributes, such as its superiority in holding diamonds.
PGI said the ‘Sublime Shine: Metal Innovation in the Art of Jewellery’ exhibition, which offered evidence of platinum’s beneficial facets, was viewed by more than 900 fair visitors a day.
Underscoring that technological innovation is the key to scaling platinum jewellery production, the 430 m² display featured updates on digital product passports (DPP) and blockchain-based traceability – vital to meet consumers’ demands for transparency and sustainability. A separate showcase for men’s jewellery also proved popular.
Melding technology and aesthetics, PGI’s Platinum Pavilion presented creations by six innovative producers from China and India: BN Jewellers India; Guangdong Jinbotong Technology Co; Jewelex India; Kingli Jewelry; Kinch Jewelry; and ORO Precious Metals.
PGI said other “platinum powerhouses” from Asia and Europe, including egf – Eduard G Fidel, Kuwayama Corporation, Nagahori Corporation, Schofer Germany and Shenzhen Longjia Jewelry, showed their collections elsewhere at the fair.
Wong served as the panel discussion moderator and spotlighted the acceleration in platinum innovation over the past few years, as well as a segment on product diversification generating new growth.
