(PRESS RELEASE) HONG KONG — Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) recorded an increase in international buyer turnout in a milestone edition that showcased a never-before-seen pearl exhibit, a panel series featuring iconic luxury pearl jewellery brands and a celebration of Informa’s Sustainability Awards champions, show organizer Informa Markets Jewellery announced today.
Held from 16 to 20 September at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) and from 18 to 22 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), the “One Fair, Two Venues” B2B event featured 3,300+ exhibitors from 40+ countries and regions, including the biggest names in diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls; prestigious luxury jewellery ateliers; leading equipment, tools and packaging suppliers, and major technology and solutions providers spread across 40+ pavilions.
HONG KONG, 4 October 2024 – Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) recorded an increase in international buyer turnout in a milestone edition that showcased a never-before-seen pearl exhibit, a panel series featuring iconic luxury pearl jewellery brands and a celebration of Informa’s Sustainability Awards champions, show organiser Informa Markets Jewellery announced today.
Held from 16 to 20 September at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) and from 18 to 22 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), the “One Fair, Two Venues” B2B event featured 3,300+ exhibitors from 40+ countries and regions, including the biggest names in diamonds, colored gemstones and pearls; prestigious luxury jewellery ateliers; leading equipment, tools and packaging suppliers, and major technology and solutions providers spread across 40+ pavilions.
The fair drew in 50,232 unique buyers representing 142 countries and regions, reflecting a rise in visitor attendance from South America (+19.9%), the Middle East (+18.3%), North America (+7.5%) and Europe (+4.7%). (“Unique” visitors are only counted once regardless of the number of visits they make during the exhibition period.) Nonetheless, a slight drop in turnout from Mainland China was observed, partly attributed to the sourcing event coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival and a tropical cyclone that hit Shanghai on the same day that JGW opened.
International buyers drove 67.85% of total attendance, underscoring the B2B show’s global standing as the No. 1 destination for sourcing jewellery, gemstones and other industry-related products.
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Set against the backdrop of economic headwinds and uncertainties – a situation not unique to the jewellery sector – JGW’s 41st edition highlighted the resilience of the jewellery community in the face of adversity, said Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery.
“Macroeconomic challenges aside, firm order-taking was underway on the show floor. Buyers have naturally been cautious and guarded, placing a strong emphasis on inventory that they can swiftly sell. Meanwhile, suppliers have been expanding their customer base, focusing on long-term strategic planning,” Lau continued. ”It is precisely for these reasons – the importance of being in the know – that JGW is the definitive global destination for all things jewellery. Ultimately, this is the singular event of the year where every serious business professional in the jewellery community comes together to connect, learn and be inspired by the best.”
Beyond exhibits, JGW was made even more memorable with two key highlights: Sustainability and Pearls.
JGW advanced the sustainability conversation by honoring the winners of the Sustainability Awards 2024 by JWA (Jewellery World Awards) on 18 September. Organized by Informa Markets Jewellery, the Awards program paid tribute to exceptional sustainability initiatives within the fine jewellery, gemstone and related sectors. The Awards covered five categories, namely, Environmental Stewardship, Social Empowerment, Manufacturing Innovation, Community Engagement and Sustainability Leadership.
Strengthening the discourse was the Sustainability Heroes Panel Series, hosting conversations on “Jewels Of A Sustainable Future” and “From Source To Showcase: Inspiring Change In The Jewellery Industry” featuring the Award Recipients as panelists. Session recordings are now available on Informa’s Jewellery & Gem Knowledge Community (Knowledge Community) webpage.
JGW likewise celebrated the pearl with the exhibit, “Orient Odyssey: From Shell To Market – The Fascinating Life Of Pearls.” The presentation was a project of the Knowledge Community in partnership with The AUTORE Group, Edison Pearls, Hatta New World Co Ltd, Japan Pearl Exporters’ Association (JPEA), Japan Pearl Promotion Society (JPPS), Jewelmer, Paspaley Pearling Company, Professional Association of Pearls Zhejiang, Rio Pearl, Tahitian Pearl Association Hong Kong (TPAHK) and Zhanjiang Pearl Association, among others. Complementing Orient Odyssey were panel discussions on “Beyond Precious: Pearl Farming And Environmental Stewardship” and “The Power Of Pearls: Sustainable Gems For A New Generation.” The sessions featured representatives from iconic pearl jewellery brand Mikimoto and pearl powerhouses Paspaley, Autore, Jewelmer and Edison Pearls. Recordings of these sessions are also now available for viewing on the Knowledge Community webpage.
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In 2025, JGW will be held from 15 to 19 September at the AWE and from 17 to 21 September at the HKCEC.
Meanwhile, SEASONS | Autumn Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair, which was held concurrently with JGW in Hall 5BC of the HKCEC, saw a significant rise in attendance, attracting over 12,000 buyers, marking a 10.8% increase from the previous edition.
Known for its vibrancy and innovation, the Fall edition is recognized as Asia’s top destination for sourcing fashion-forward collections and specialized products tailored for the Spring/Summer seasons of 2025 and beyond. The rise in international attendees was particularly noticeable from regions such as the Middle East (+63.8%), South America (+39.3%), North America (+37.4%), Europe (+17.4%) and Asia (+7.2%).
The 2025 edition of SEASONS | Autumn is scheduled to take place from 17 to 21 September at the HKCEC.
