Inside the World's Largest Jewelry Tradeshow

The aisles and booths were busy throughout the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair

HONG KONG — Asia’s dominance in the worldwide jewelry industry has been established. While everyone points to the exploding economy in China, the fact is that the entire region, from India to Indonesia, is experiencing strong economic growth that has fueled their passion for jewelry. Even the recent economic slowdowns in China and India have been softened by the diversity of the region and the growth of the middle class.

Jewelry from Italian company, Stefan Hafner

This is just one of the factors that has led to the growth of the September Hong Kong Jewllery & Gem Fair, which is now the largest fine jewelry tradeshow in the world and the industry’s most important event on the international calendar. Tradeshow officials and representatives from the various factions of the Hong Kong jewelry and gem industry tout the city’s duty-free status, low tax rate and its massive harbor, which is constantly moving products that travel to and from every region in the world.

Ceramic jewelry from U.S. jewelry designer Etienne Perret

But there’s more. This show, more than any other in the endless international calendar of events in this industry, is where business gets done. It lacks the glamor and excitement of some of large shows in the Europe and the U.S., but it more than makes up for it with a robust trading environment. With the lax duty laws in Hong Kong, many sales are cash and carry, very unusual in the jewelry trade.
“It’s where most of the jewelry in the world is sold,” said U.S. based jewelry designer Etienne Perret, a longtime buyer at the show who is exhibiting for the first time. “This is the meat and potatoes that fill the jewelry store shelves all over the world. Everybody from everywhere is shopping here.”

Jewelry from Enzo, a China and Hong Kong brand.

The numbers bear this out. There are more than 3,500 exhibitors from more than 46 countries and regions. Approximately 55,000 buyers will be in attendance by the time the show ends Tuesday. Show officials reported an 8 percent growth in attendance over the first two days.
In 2007, citing its spectacular growth, the show split into the two venues: The Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre overlooking Victoria Harbour (where it has always been held) for finished jewelry, and the newer Asia World-Expo center by Hong Kong International airport, where jewelry making materials (such as diamonds and gemstones), jewelry manufacturing equipment and packaging are on display. Between the two venues there are 130,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Gemstones from amber to zircon are on display. Jewelry from mass-produced products to some of the great luxury brands and high-end designers are in floors upon floors of showroom space. Antique lovers have their own section. The diamond pavilion alone houses more than 400 companies, making it the largest such venue in the world.

Jeweled sculpture by Stone Young, owner of Handosy Jewelry Co. of Guangzhou, China. He said it was inspired by Noah's Ark.

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