The inaugural Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show and the 31st edition of the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show concluded on March 7 and March 9 respectively. This year, HKTDC introduced the brand new arrangement of “two shows, two venues”, categorised by raw jewellery materials and finished jewellery collections. The two shows welcomed more than 74,000 buyers from 145 countries and regions.
HKTDC’s Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau said the Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show and the Jewellery Show have been very successful. In addition to setting a buyer attendance record at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, the number of buyers from Asia, such as Chinese mainland, India, Taiwan and Thailand, also recorded double-digit percentage growth. Traditional markets such as the United States, Germany, Italy and Belgium, have also recorded significant growth.
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- US exhibitor Daniel Hackman, Partner of Intercolor USA, considered the Hong Kong show more of an international event than those in the US, as it allows him to meet more Asian and Middle Eastern buyers.
Buyers from the United States have very good feedbacks toward the two shows. Ramona Genao of Richline Group and his company have been attending the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show in the past five years. His group is an importer and wholesaler of fine jewellery. “The show provides us opportunities to see what is new in the industry especially design ideas, trends, technology, techniques and processes. In additions, also serves as a great platform for us to see how jewellery manufacturers are making use of different materials in their products. “
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- HKTDC organised a number of seminars during the show period to cater the buyers’ different needs.
According to Scott Sedlacek from REEDS Jeweler, this is his second time visiting the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, he has also visited the debut Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show. He expected the total orders placed will amount to US$3 million.
The two fairs brought together more than 3,850 exhibitors from 53 countries and regions. HKTDC organised 103 buying missions, with more than 8,793 buyers from more than 7,000 companies from 76 countries and regions.
Essex Global- Bijan and Co Inc is a New York-based company offering ultra-high-end jewellery with fine diamonds. Major markets include the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Taiwan and Thailand. Eliot Elihu, the Vice President said his company has joined the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show for the third consecutive year. They were happy to have met more mainland buyers this year because the company is keen to further develop the mainland market. Up till now, they have received orders for emerald and diamond jewellery pieces worth millions of US dollars.
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- Japanese buyer Hideaki Shimura attended the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show for the seventh time. “I am pleased to see that the show is getting better and better each year. I can always find reliable suppliers here,” he said.
Exhibitors and buyers welcome “two shows, two venues”
Exhibitors and buyers alike welcomed the new “two shows, two venues” arrangement. “The ‘two shows, two venues’ gross exhibition area expanded to over 123,000 square meters, allowing more local and overseas exhibitors to participate,” Mr Chau said.
“A greater variety of jewellery finished products and raw materials were also provided, enhancing trading efficiency, doubling business opportunities. According to our research, over 90 per cent of buyers considered this year’s arrangement as effective as, or better than last year in searching for relevant suppliers. Over 70 per cent of exhibitors also foresee that they will receive more orders than last year, showing the ‘two shows, two venues’ arrangement facilitates exhibitors and buyers to match easier, the procurement efficiency has improved.”
