(press releaSE) The fire and brilliance of diamonds beckon buyers to the most important mid-year fine jewellery event in the world – the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.
Around 400 diamond manufacturers and dealers, including the most respected names in the industry, will converge at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) starting from June 21 for four days of business transactions and networking.
Organised by UBM Asia, the June Fair has one of the largest and most comprehensive Diamond sections in the B2B trade show space. Diamonds in all qualities, shapes, colours and sizes – from one-of-a-kind stones to melees – will be presented in Halls 3B – E of the HKCEC.
Commenting on the June Fair’s Diamond zone, Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia, said, “Virtually every important player and diamond centre in the industry will have a presence at the 31st edition of the June Fair. For exhibitors, the show serves as a powerful tool to touch base with existing customers, reach out to new clients and keep abreast of the latest developments in the diamond world. For professional buyers, the June Fair gives them the chance to exchange ideas with and learn from the best and the brightest in the diamond industry. More importantly, they will find all the diamonds that they need in one distinct section of the fair.”
The Diamond section consists of group pavilions led by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), Hong Kong Indian Diamond Association (HKIDA), Israel Diamond Institute (IDI), and most recently, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), which is heading the India Pavilion, among others. In addition to the June Fair, GJEPC will also be organising the India Pavilion at the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair this year.
The “Diamonds are Natural: Declaration Programme on Diamond Exhibits” will be back this June following its successful implementation at the Jewellery & Gem Fairs in Hong Kong in the last two years. This initiative gives buyers an extra assurance about the diamonds they are purchasing and helps them make informed buying decisions. Supported by the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, AWDC, HKIDA and IDI, the programme acknowledges exhibitors who are members of recognised diamond trade associations and who make a declaration that they supply and exhibit diamonds in line with “Trade Descriptions (Definition of Diamond) Regulations” and in accordance with Hong Kong Law during the show. Diamond exhibitors enrolled in this programme will display in their booths an official poster issued by UBM Asia that identifies them as programme participants.
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China market
A highly dynamic diamond jewellery market is one of the compelling reasons that makes the June Fair a must-attend event for trade professionals.
“Industry insiders are positive about diamond jewellery demand this year following stronger sales in China and the US in the latter part of 2017. Reports indicated that this trend would likely be sustained provided that global economic conditions continue to improve,” Diener said.
A De Beers study revealed that diamond jewellery demand in China’s Tier-3 cities recorded the biggest growth in value terms in 2016 compared with first- and second-tier cities. In addition to promising business prospects in lower-tier cities, the wedding and millennial markets, and self-purchasing consumers are among the key drivers in diamond jewellery demand growth. China’s diamond jewellery sector has been cited as the fastest-growing in the world, recording nearly a threefold increase from US$3.1 billion in 2006 to US$9.7 billion in 2016 in terms of demand.
“It’s always helpful to have in-depth conversations with diamond manufacturers, dealers and customers, and this is something that you can accomplish at the June Fair,” noted Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at UBM Asia.
Occupying over 70,000 square metres of exhibition space at the HKCEC, the June Fair is divided into well-defined theme and group pavilions, making it easier for buyers to navigate the show floor.
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The 17 theme pavilions are Antique & Vintage Jewellery; Corals; CORE Pavilion; Designer Arena; Diamonds; Fashion Jewellery; Fei Cui Gallery; Fine Design Pavilion & Fine Gem Pavilion; Fine Jewellery; Gemstones; Jewellery Accessories; Packaging, Tools & Equipment; Jewellery Mountings; Pearls; Silver Jewellery and Stainless Steel Jewellery.
The fair also highlights 18 group pavilions led by countries, regions and trade associations.
Exhibitor Comments and Product Previews
The extensive range of diamond goods on display and the presence of the industry’s most notable names in diamond manufacturing make the June Fair one of the world’s biggest diamond marketplaces.
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Varun Maini of India-based Kapu Gems: “We have been associated with the June Fair for almost 10 years now. [This show] is indeed an integral part of our sales and marketing strategy. We constantly look forward to enhancing our presence in all the globally renowned industry-specific events and exhibitions since we strongly believe in reconnecting and enriching relationships with our business associates and clients, and exploring new business partnerships.”
Kapu Gems believes that improved buyer sentiment and stable diamond prices in the last two years have given a boost to the diamond jewellery consumption outlook this year. At the June Fair, the manufacturer will be presenting goods weighing 30 points to 10 carats and above, in D-M colours and FL-SI3 clarity grades. Special stones will also be highlighted, including an 11.13-carat D Flawless Type IIA diamond, a matching pair of D Flawless Type IIA diamonds weighing 15.88 carats each, and a 21.52-carat D Flawless Type IIA gem.
Nayan Ranpura, Deputy General Manager of Sales at Kiran Exports (Hong Kong) Ltd: “The June Fair carries substantial weight in our sales and marketing strategy since it helps keep the market momentum going during the relatively slower May-July period. It may be smaller in scale [compared with the September Fair], but it draws many smaller-sized but significant buyers from the Far East. At the June Fair, buyers exchange business ideas and plan their purchases for the coming seasons.”
Kiran will be offering goods, which it believes are ideally matched to a June Fair visitor’s shopping list. The manufacturer will display diamonds within the commercial range, such as VS-SI parcels of 20 to 70 pointers in D-K colours in larger quantities, and -6.5 to 1/10 parcels in VVS-SI3 clarity grades. A large inventory of certified carat-sized rounds and fancy shapes will also be made available at the fair.
Taïssa Deridder, Trade Fair Officer of AWDC: “For many years now, the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion is a fixture at the Hong Kong show, with a strong representation from the world’s premier hub for diamond trade. Antwerp offers consistent quality through reliable and trusted companies that are present year after year. Hong Kong remains one of the most crucial marketplaces for diamantaires in Asia. The show is the ideal platform for maintaining existing contacts and for making new contacts.”
At the 31st edition of the June Fair, the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion will feature 44 companies – a slight increase compared with the previous edition.
Fair Dates & Opening Hours
- 21-23 June 2018
10:30am – 6:30pm
- 24 June 2018
10:30am – 5:30pm
Venue: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
1 Expo Drive, Wanchai, Hong Kong
For jewellery trade only and visitors under age 18 will not be admitted.
For visiting enquiries, please contact: Visitor Promotion Department, Jewellery Fairs, UBM Asia
Tel: (852) 2516 2192
Fax: (852) 3749 7344
E-mail: visitjgf-hk@ubm.com
For media enquiries, please contact: Marketing Communications Department, Jewellery Fairs, UBM Asia
Tel: (852) 2516 2144
Fax: (852) 3749 7318
E-mail: pressjgf-hk@ubm.com
www.JewelleryNet.com
