The future of jewellery design is on display at Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong (JGA) and it’s brimming with bold ideas and imaginative concepts! Close to 160 standout designs from nine countries and regions across Asia have advanced to the finals of the inaugural Gender-Fluid Coloured Gem Jewellery Design Challenge by Informa Markets Jewellery. See them all at Stand 1C302 in Hall 1C of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) until Sunday, 21 June.
The competition has two dynamic tracks redefining what’s possible in contemporary jewellery. The Student Track brings 116 novel perspectives from promising design talents across China, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. These are the artists of tomorrow − unfiltered, ambitious and unafraid to challenge convention.
The Professional Track showcases 42 designs from the Taotian Group – Gold & Fashion Jewellery Industry’s design community, proving that innovation thrives at every career stage.
Organised by Informa Markets Jewellery, the competition is supported by EJI (Principal Sponsor), RMC Gems HK Co (Gem Sponsor), International Colored Gemstone Association/ICA (Sponsor) and the Taotian Group − Gold & Fashion Jewellery Industry (Professional Track Collaborator).
“This competition celebrates design without boundaries − the essence of jewellery artistry. By championing emerging talent and daring ideas, the Challenge reveals what drives jewellery design forward: The courage to break rules, reimagine tradition and push creative limits,” said Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery.
Lau continued, “The talent and vision on display here – particularly how these designers are using coloured gemstones to express forward-thinking, inclusive ideas – gives us real confidence in the future. These aren’t just promising careers taking shape; they’re the voices that will define what comes next.”
What’s at stake
Finalists are competing for top honours in three categories: Brooch, Earrings and Ring. Winning designs will be transformed into jewellery pieces by Principal Sponsor EJI, one of Hong Kong’s leading fine jewellery manufacturers, with gemstone support from RMC Gems HK Co.
The entries reveal a rich array of inspiration: Nature-inspired motifs, expressions of freedom, symbols of strength and revival, and designs deeply rooted in cultural traditions. Material choices are equally diverse − from polished and rough coloured gemstones to diamonds, pearls, gold, platinum, silver and titanium, with some designs even incorporating wood. Together, they demonstrate how fresh thinking drives innovation in both concept and craft.
The winning collections will make their debut in September at Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) − the world’s No. 1 B2B jewellery buying destination (JGW).
How the winners are chosen
Three award recipients per category across both tracks will be selected through a weighted scoring system: 60% from expert judges (Payal Shah of L’Dezen, Victoria Yu of Joywith Jewelry Limited and Ollie Quiniquini of JNA) and 40% from public votes cast onsite at JGA. Visitors and exhibitors have until Sunday, 5pm, to vote for their favourites.
The journey wraps up with the Awards Presentation Ceremony, set to take place during the JGW Fair Reception on 16 September at the Grand Foyer of the HKCEC. Winners will enjoy a range of benefits, including a sponsored trip to JGW, ownership of their finished piece, the opportunity to have their designs launched at Informa fairs in Hong Kong and internationally, editorial coverage and much more.
