Twin Hong Kong jewellery shows attracted more than 85,000 buyers from 144 countries and regions, up 6 per cent on last year.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the fourth Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show (February 28-March 4) and the 34th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show (March 2-6) featured about 4480 exhibitors.
More than 33,000 buyers visited the Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show, while the jewellery event attracted 52,000 visitors.
“Despite economic challenges, especially in the luxury goods market, the two shows attracted a record number of buyers,” says HKTDC deputy executive director Benjamin Chau.
“Analysing the buyer statistics, we can see a considerable increase in attendance from emerging markets such Mainland China, Malaysia and the Philippines.”
For an independent onsite survey commissioned by the HKTDC, more than 1300 buyers and exhibitors were asked about their views on market prospects and product trends. It found that 56 per cent of respondents expect overall sales this year to be steady, while 28 per cent expect an increase; whereas 69 per cent expect prices to be steady and 23 per cent expect them to rise.
In terms of product categories, survey respondents are mostly optimistic about the prospects of trendy fashion jewellery (72 per cent), followed by jewellery for weddings and special occasions (58 per cent) and precious jewellery (58 per cent).
On-the-spot orders
At the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), the International Jewellery Show featured premier products from around the world.
Hong Kong brand On Tai Jewellery designer Lisa Lee says the company met with buyers from Australia, China, Italy and Taiwan on the first day of the show, with one buyer even placing orders on the spot.
Sourcing manager Heidi Gygax of US company Na Hoku says she placed an order for pearl and gemstone jewellery totalling US$50,000 from at least two Hong Kong exhibitors, while buyer Bahram Fathi, manager of Hassan’s Jewellery in Kuwait, bought US$450,000 worth of diamonds from a Hong Kong supplier at the Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show.
Sales manager Farhan Baqri of MKS Jewelry International from Thailand, a long-time exhibitor, says 10 buyers placed orders on the spot on the first two days of the jewellery show.
This is the fourth time HKTDC has adopted the “two shows, two venues” format for the twin events, with the jewellery show featuring finished jewellery, and the Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show at AsiaWorld-Expo focussing on jewellery raw materials.
Sparkle Gems (India) CEO Imran Khan says his company received an order at the expo for more than US$2 million worth of tanzanite, from a Mainland China buyer. He says the demand for tanzanite and emerald is strong, especially for buyers from the mainland and across Asia.
During the two shows there were networking receptions, seminars, buyer forums, jewellery craftsmanship demonstrations, jewellery parades and cocktail receptions.
