The 42nd Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the 12th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show concluded with approximately 80,000 buyers from 150 countries and regions. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the twin events featured around 4,000 exhibitors from over 40 countries. Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, noted significant buyer growth from the Philippines, Korea, Australia, and Switzerland, reinforcing the shows' international standing.
An on-site survey of 1,509 exhibitors and buyers conducted by the HKTDC revealed cautious optimism about the economic outlook. 44.3% of respondents expect overall sales to increase in the next one to two years, while 49% anticipate stable sales. Markets viewed as having good growth potential for jewellery products include Korea (73.2%), ASEAN (71.8%), and the Chinese Mainland (68.5%). For expansion, most respondents plan to explore Europe (20.8%), ASEAN (16.8%), and the Chinese Mainland (15.3%). Technological advancements are expected to significantly impact the industry, with artificial intelligence (66.1%), social media (43.7%), and big data (41.5%) cited as key drivers over the next three years.
Product trends indicate strong growth potential for trendy fashion jewellery (57.3%), precious jewellery (35.1%), and designer jewellery (21.1%). Karat yellow gold (40.1%), karat white gold (31.7%), and pure gold (28%) are the most popular precious metals for 2026, while diamonds (28.8%), rubies (24.7%), and pearls (19.7%) lead in gemstones. The shows also featured the debut Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, organized by the World Gold Council with 10 exhibitors from the Chinese Mainland. Roland Wang, Regional CEO, stated that the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show has been instrumental in helping Chinese gold manufacturers connect with international buyers, with focus on Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and India.
Sales performance exceeded expectations for many exhibitors. Youngeun Kim, founder of Korean exhibitor Soyou, reported connections with buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Africa, and the United Kingdom, expecting a 30% sales increase compared to last year. Hong Kong exhibitor SimStar Asia Limited secured several orders from European and U.S. buyers, with transactions reaching millions of U.S. dollars. The company projected a 10% annual sales increase, noting robust demand for high-clarity white diamonds and rare colored diamonds.
Designer jewellery gained traction, with over 50 designer exhibitors, including 10 Korean designers making their debut. A seminar by Paola De Luca, Founder and Creative Director of Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting, explored personalization trends for younger consumers. The shows also hosted three design competitions, showcasing winning pieces to foster designer-manufacturer collaboration. Global participation expanded with Uzbekistan's debut. Fonon Jewelry House showcased culturally influenced gold pieces, drawing international interest. Alisher Romanov, Head of Foreign Economic Affairs, expressed plans to use Hong Kong as a springboard into other Asian markets, expecting sales of approximately USD 50 million.
Buyers demonstrated diverse sourcing goals. Turkish buyer Kasapoglu Jewellery allocated over USD 900,000 to source new loose diamond suppliers. U.S.-based David Abraham & Co. found the show to be a one-stop destination for services ranging from certification to gemological equipment. China National Gold Group Gold Jewellery Co., Ltd. utilized both shows, noting growing demand for high-end gemstones and mass-market jewellery, with a procurement budget of USD 200,000. Golden Silver Z.L S.A., a Latin American supplier, confirmed orders exceeding USD 1.9 million with three exhibitors.
The HKTDC's EXHIBITION+ hybrid format facilitated online-offline integration, extending physical negotiations to digital platforms like the HKTDC Marketplace App's Click2Match and hktdc.com Sourcing. Over 100 online business matching sessions assisted buyers unable to travel due to geopolitical situations. E-commerce partnerships with Taobao Tmall and Douyin involved 10 exhibitors and over 30 influencers, generating more than 35 million online impressions and sales exceeding USD 20 million. A Korean influencer sourced nearly USD 700,000 worth of products from exhibitors.
