ong Kong’s role as an international meeting point for the jewellery trade received renewed support at the September 2026 edition of Jewellery & Gem World (JGW). Held across AsiaWorld-Expo from 14 to 18 September and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 16 to 20 September, the fair brought together around 3,000 exhibitors from 46 countries and regions, spread across more than 40 pavilions.
Informa Markets reported the event’s highest post-pandemic attendance, with 57,632 unique buyers — each counted only once, irrespective of repeat visits. Hong Kong, mainland China and international markets each accounted for approximately one-third of visitors.
The geographical breadth of that audience was accompanied by growth across several markets. Mainland Chinese attendance increased by 4.5% year on year, while North America rose by 24.2%, Europe by 13.4% and Central Asia by 42.2%. These figures measure participation rather than transactions, but they suggest a renewed willingness to travel, reconnect with suppliers and assess products in person.
Buyers return with clear priorities
For exhibitors, one notable development was the return of customers who had been absent for several years. Allen Xiang, General Manager for Jewellery, reported feedback from suppliers reconnecting with North American and European buyers they had not seen since before the pandemic.
“Suppliers are reconnecting with customers they haven’t seen in five or six years − buyers travelling from across the globe to rebuild partnerships and find new ones,” Xiang said.
Those renewed contacts came with more tightly defined purchasing priorities. According to Xiang, buyers placed particular emphasis on inventory they could sell quickly, allowing them to respond to a fast-moving market.
Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs, observed a similarly focused approach among mainland Chinese visitors, who arrived with a clear understanding of their sourcing requirements. Guangdong, Shanghai and Beijing remained the principal centres of Chinese participation, while Shaanxi, Jilin, Hebei and Hunan were among the fastest-growing provincial markets.
Lau linked the increase in North American participation to buyers adjusting their strategies amid geopolitical tensions, tariff pressures and high gold prices. In Central Asia, she pointed to demand for materials, machinery and technology as factors supporting the region’s growing presence.
Coloured gemstones and a new generation
Alongside sourcing, coloured gemstones occupied a prominent place in the fair’s programme. The NextGen Coloured Gem Excellence Awards by JWA recognised 18 emerging industry leaders at a celebration attended by more than 500 guests on 16 September. The initiative highlighted work in ethical sourcing, knowledge-sharing and technology.
The Gender-Fluid Coloured Gem Jewellery Design Challenge explored another dimension of the sector’s evolution. Winning student concepts were realised by EJI using stones supplied by RMC Gems HK Co and displayed alongside entries from the professional category.
At GEM+, discussions addressed Gen Z luxury consumption, social commerce, sustainability and leadership succession. A new Mandarin-language Coloured Gemstone Master Class, developed for content creators with IGI, AIGS, SSEF and Gübelin, covered identification, origin authentication and treatment recognition.
Craftsmanship and provenance also featured. Sublime Shine 2.0 presented live metalsmithing demonstrations with the World Gold Council and Platinum Guild International, while De Beers Group’s “Show & Tell” sessions examined transparency and sustainability in the natural diamond supply chain.
Hong Kong’s wider trading role
A panel on Hong Kong’s position as a gold exchange centre connected the fair’s sourcing activity with the city’s broader trading infrastructure. Hong Kong Gold Exchange Chairman Dr Haywood Cheung delivered the keynote, alongside representatives of Chow Tai Fook, the Hong Kong Gold & Silver Ornament Workers & Merchants General Union and Shenzhen BATAR.
The co-located SEASONS | Autumn fashion jewellery and accessories fair also recorded growth, attracting 13,729 buyers from more than 120 countries and regions, an increase of 11.9%.
For JGW, the attendance figures offer evidence of renewed international engagement. The organisers’ account of purchasing behaviour adds a more nuanced perspective: buyers are returning, but with close attention to stock turnover and specific commercial needs.
The next edition is scheduled for 14–18 September 2027 at AsiaWorld-Expo and 16–20 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
