Exhibitors reported steady consumer interest in moderately priced, good quality jewellery at this year's Jewellery & Gem WORLD in Hong Kong. It opened its doors to end consumers for the first time, alongside the show's core B2B market.
Modern and affordable jewellery in classic, everyday designs were the protagonists of the Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) exhibition, from 17 to 20 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. For the first time in the industry event's decades-long history, the show welcomed jewellery buyers and enthusiasts along with the trade audience. More than 300 suppliers of fine gemstones and jewellery participated in this year's event. The physical edition of JGW, organised by Informa Markets Jewellery, was also complemented by a B2B digital element, JGW Virtual. Offering online discovery-driven product search for trade buyers until 30 September.
JGW, previously known as the September Hong Kong Jewellery and Gemstone Fair, also offered unique experiences and attractions under the title «I Love Jewellery».
Among them was a lucky draw, in collaboration with Fook Tai Jewellery Group Ltd, Karp Jewellery Mfg HK Ltd and Spinel House. JGW showcased an exquisite yellow diamond, diamond jewellery collections and spinel stones throughout the show.
This year's exhibition also included content programmes with presentations on digital marketing and jewellery photography. Also Tahitian pearl jewellery styling, functional jewellery, jewellery auctions and modern jadeite jewellery designs.
The Hatton Jewellery Institute, for its part, held live jewellery making demonstrations at the exhibition. As well as sessions on silver pendant hammering and jewellery colour rendering. Also an interactive live broadcast session in Mandarin for online audiences from the Greater China region.
Business in the live exhibition was generally stable. Exhibitors said that mid- and low-priced diamond, pearl and silver jewelry moved fastest during the four-day event. At some companies there was interest in high-value items.
Popular products
Tori Ling of Nelson Jewellery Arts Co Ltd said rings and earrings with diamonds and coloured gemstones, sapphires and rubies were particularly popular. Buyers spent about HK$2,000 (about $257) and up at the fair.
The exhibition was good enough for us. It's also an opportunity for us to explore more of the consumer market. We hosted both B2B and B2C buyers, but none of our customers abroad due to travel restrictions. Our main markets are mainly the US, Europe and Australia, Ling notes. At Nelson Jewellery there has also been a lot of interest in its high-end jewellery collections, a company official revealed.
Jackson Lee of Tedgold Co Ltd also reports high demand for diamond and pearl rings and earrings. Buyers felt more comfortable spending between HK$ 3,000 (about $386) and HK$ 4,000 (about $514).
«A lot of customers came, but the majority of them were end users as opposed to commercial buyers. In this report, I would say that the 60% of our sales were diamonds and the 40% were pearls. Customers mostly preferred simple designs,» Lee revealed.
Vendors offering big discounts, buy-one-take-one offers and multi-purchase bonuses were also busy at their stands.
Jerry Tang of wholesaler Brilliant Diamond Jewellery Manufacturer Ltd said his company offered special prices. The smaller pieces of diamond jewelry that customers can Combine together they sold fastest for about HK$ 1,500 (about $193) and up. Buyers usually bought one or two pieces and returned the next day for more. The report was generally good for us, he says.
Vithal Trading (HK) Ltd's top performers were the D-colour diamond bracelets. According to Sabrina Lau from the first day of the show they were sold out. The bracelets were priced at HK$ 15,000 (about $1,929), which she described as “low” for 3-carat D-colour bracelets.
«We did well at the exhibition. Our bracelets and rings were our most popular products. We sold mostly diamond products and hosted B2C customers who bought jewellery as gifts or for themselves.».
Vithal Trading prepared the D-colour bracelet collection especially for JGW 2021, Lau explained. He added that B2B customers do not usually have requirements for high colour diamonds. B2C buyers, however, would demand diamonds with good colour and certificate.
Price is a huge factor when buying jewellery at the show, according to Sophia Man of LD Diamond and Jewellery Ltd. Shoppers will be looking for the best prices and huge discounts; jewellery should be of decent quality and have attractive designs.
Local customers preferred rings, bracelets and earrings with diamonds that were priced below HK1,000 HK$ (about $1,286). The company's overseas B2B buyers usually order coloured gemstones. Its biggest market is Southeast Asia, Man revealed.
Diamond wholesaler Beauty Gems counted ready-to-wear jewellery among its preferred products at JGW 2021. The company's Anirudha Khatod said shoppers at his booth spent about HK1,000 HK$ (about $1,286) on fashionable pieces such as diamond necklaces with alphabet or cross pendants.
If they see a jewellery design they like and at this price (10,000 HK$), they don't have to think too much. At this show, buyers will be looking for an attractive design at a good price. It is different when it is a B2B exhibition where there are many more negotiations, Khatod noted.
Seiichiro Mihara of Imakei Pearl (Hong Kong) Ltd. revealed that his company sold mostly rows of Japanese Akoya 7.5 to 9 mm pearls. Jackie Leung of J Ocean Pearl Jewellery Ltd said that both South Sea pearls and Japanese Akoya pearls in smaller sizes moved well during the show.
J Ocean began offering Japanese Akoya pearls in smaller sizes of 6mm to 7mm to meet market demand for earrings. These pearls are lighter and are pink in color. Very feminine, Leung continued, adding that domestic buyers are showing increased interest in Japanese Akoya pearls.
Coloured gemstones, although not very popular at the show, generally enjoy a steady demand in the trade. Emeralds, in particular, are garnering attention and good prices despite the difficult business environment.
Prices have even increased up to 50% in the last year. People are still buying because of the vivid green hue of the emerald, which symbolizes hope in uncertain times. Also other coloured gemstones such as rubies, sapphires and tanzanite stones are also enjoying steady demand and prices.
We didn't really expect to sell here, but we do expect customers we can contact after the show. We hope to meet them here so they can see our products, and hopefully we can do business afterwards. It is important to get in touch with potential and existing customers, says Irfan Takat. Ο Irfan Takat is manager of emerald dealer Takat Gems (HK) Co.
