May Garland

READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN RETAIL JEWELLER’S MAY 2025 ISSUE

The twin Hong Kong jewellery shows reaffirmed the region’s position as a key international trading hub. May Garland reports

Stepping off the flight into the humidity of Hong Kong, the Retail Jeweller UK buyer delegation was immediately greeted by bustling crowds queuing for the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show – one of the twin jewellery exhibitions organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Together, the 41st Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the 11th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show drew more than 82,000 buyers from 141 countries and regions, solidifying Hong Kong’s status as a global jewellery hub.

“It is an incredible fair,” commented one of this year’s delegates, Mark Smith, chief executive of Titcombe Bespoke Jewellery. “It is certainly by far the largest and best fair I have ever visited. […] It has been six years since my last visit, and the show felt more organised, and the transportation was quicker, with less queuing between the exhibitions. This enabled me to spend more time with exhibitors.”

The dual events took place at two venues: the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) for the International Jewellery Show, and AsiaWorld-Expo for the Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show. Approximately 4,000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries and regions showcased the latest trends in luxury and fashion jewellery, diamonds, gemstones and pearls, creating an electric atmosphere over 2 to 8 March.

Exhibitors at the 2025 iteration of the shows reported that sales exceeded their expectations, with a notable increase in international buyer attendance, particularly from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Western Europe and North America. An on-site survey of 1,434 exhibitors and buyers revealed strong confidence in the Middle Eastern market in particular, with 76.8% forecasting significant growth over the next two years, reflected in the increased participation of Middle Eastern buyers.

Out of the more than 82,000 attendees, about 32,000 buyers visited the Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show, while the International Jewellery Show attracted around 51,000. The diversity of buyers underscored Hong Kong’s continued allure as a key international trading spot for the jewellery sector. Sif Jakobs, founder of Copenhagen based Sif Jakobs Jewellery, echoes this observation. “The Hong Kong show stands out for its scale, diversity and global reach,” she says. “This year’s show felt particularly exciting, with a strong international presence and an undeniable energy following the challenges of previous years.”

HKTDC deputy executive director Sophia Chong reflected on the success of the event, stating: “As a leading global trading hub for the jewellery industry, the twin jewellery shows brought together international buyers and organised more than 30 industry seminars and activities to foster innovation and collaboration within the sector. The shows also actively promote local design and nurture the next generation of industry talents through jewellery design competitions, underscoring their impact on the global jewellery landscape.”

ChloBo product design manager Meg Barnes also emphasised the educational value of the seminars. “It wasn’t just the products that stood out. The talks and events at the show were incredibly informative and gave us plenty to think about,” she says. “Hearing different perspectives and learning about trends across various areas of the jewellery industry was definitely valuable.”

One of the standout features of the 2025 jewellery shows was the introduction of new areas, including the Gold Jewellery zone and the Young Jewellery Designer Arena, designed to showcase and support emerging talent. The latter aimed to capture fresh market opportunities and give young designers a platform to showcase their creativity and innovation.

As the jewellery industry continues to embrace digital commerce, the 2025 shows adopted a hybrid format, integrating both physical and online platforms. The HKTDC’s AI-powered Click2Match platform enabled efficient digital business matching, allowing exhibitors and buyers to connect online, enhancing sourcing and business negotiations. Additionally, the rise of ecommerce was evident in the participation of Chinese ecommerce giants Taobao and Tmall, which introduced live-streamed selling, offering exhibitors new opportunities to reach Mainland Chinese consumers.

This year’s shows revealed key emerging global jewellery trends, with several exhibitors and buyers observing a shift towards brands committing to sustainable and ethical practices. Both Jakobs and Diane Dower, founder and creative director of Dower & Hall, also noted the growing importance of laboratory-grown diamonds with new shapes, cuts, colours and sizes. Meanwhile, Philip Goodman, managing director of Goodman Bros, highlighted a rise in demand for the business’s aftercare products and services, such as Lox earring backs, reflecting a broader trend toward service-driven offerings in jewellery retail.

“The prominence of service-led revenue opportunities – such as ear piercing, permanent welded jewellery and jewellery care solutions – confirmed that the future of jewellery retail is shifting toward experiences that drive repeat footfall and long-term customer value,” he shares.

Smith from Titcombe also noted advancements in 3D wax printers capable of printing at highly precise measurements, making the process of creating jewellery more efficient and affordable.

Pearl jewellery continued its prominence at the show, with ChloBo’s Barnes and Lauren Davies, the brand’s stock manager, highlighting the trend’s growth.

“With a large showing of both finished pearl jewellery and loose pearls for assembly at the show, we believe this trend will continue well into 2025,” said Davies. “Mixed chains were another standout at the show, appearing across many booths, and we expect this trend to grow in popularity within the demi-fine sector this year.”

The networking opportunities at the shows were invaluable, with both first time and returning visitors praising the event’s structured approach. Nilüfer Kizilkaya, founder of Nilüfer Fine Jewellery, described the networking events as “an absolute pleasure”.

For first-time visitor Dan Fox, owner and director of André Noir in Farnham, the show was a great opportunity to find new suppliers, especially in the silver jewellery sector, packaging and machinery. “Networking with other British businesses attending the event was a great opportunity to share insights and build industry connections,” he says.

“The show was highly valuable for finding new suppliers” Dan Fox André Noir.

Smith also emphasised the invaluable networking opportunities, stating that the appointments made through the HKTDC opened “amazing doors” for new business opportunities. This sentiment was echoed by Goodman, who emphasised the value of face-to-face meetings with both UK and international partners, believing it would help drive global distribution for his brand.

“This trip allowed me to spend time with UK retail jewellers and learn more about their business. From a Lox perspective, the ability to have face to-face conversations with potential international distribution partners was invaluable. We came away with several strong leads across Asia, the Middle East and Europe that could help drive the brand’s global distribution expansion.”

The consensus among the Retail Jeweller UK buyer delegation is that the HKTDC’s twin shows have overcome the post-pandemic challenges and reaffirmed their position as leading events in the global jewellery trade. As ChloBo’s Barnes puts it, “It was an inspiring experience for every corner of the jewellery world.”