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JGW September (Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong September) wrapped up yesterday shattering post-pandemic records, welcoming 57,632 “unique” buyers during its week-long run across two locations − a 4.5% increase over the previous edition, show organiser Informa Markets announced. Staged as a massive dual-venue showcase, the B2B event ran from 14 – 18 September at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) and from 16 – 20 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). It featured around 3,000 exhibitors from 46 countries and regions, spanning more than 40 pavilions. The “mother of all jewellery fairs” brought together the biggest names in diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls, alongside world-renowned jewellers, high jewellery houses, leading equipment and packaging suppliers, and major technology providers. The fair drew a highly global audience, with visitors arriving from 149 countries and regions. Attendance was evenly split across three key segments, with Hong Kong, mainland China and international markets each accounting for roughly a third of the total visitors. (“Unique” visitors are only counted once regardless of the number of visits they make during the exhibition period.) Mainland China led the growth story, with visitor numbers climbing 4.5% year on year. Strong gains were also recorded from North America (+24.2%), Europe (+13.4 %) and Central Asia (+42.2%), underscoring the show’s international reach. “The strength and diversity of buyer attendance reinforces JGW’s position as the leading B2B sourcing destination for jewellery and gemstone professionals worldwide,” said Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs. “A notable shift this year was a distinct growth in buyers from mainland China, who demonstrated a highly intentional approach to sourcing − arriving with a sharp focus and a clear understanding of exactly what they needed.” First-tier cities – Guangdong, Shanghai and Beijing – stood out with positive year-on-year growth, accounting for the large majority of Chinese attendees and forming the backbone of China-based participation, Lau said. Beyond these established core markets, exciting momentum was also evident in emerging regions. The fastest-growing provincial markets included Shaanxi, Jilin, Hebei and Hunan. Most of these high-growth provinces are located in northern inland regions, representing new sources of participation that extend JGW’s reach beyond the traditional hubs of Guangdong, Shanghai and Beijing, she continued. Across other key markets, attendance from North America and Central Asia also reflected changing dynamics. “The uptick in North American buyers signals a new normal,” Lau noted. “Despite geopolitical tensions, tariff pressures and high gold prices, buyers are adapting their strategies to meet current market realities. We are also seeing increased participation from Central Asia, where rising demand for materials, machinery and technology is driving growth in the region’s jewellery sector.” Allen Xiang, General Manager for Jewellery, noted exhibitor feedback on the return of North American and European buyers, including many not seen at JGW since the pandemic. “Suppliers are reconnecting with customers they haven’t seen in five or six years − buyers travelling from across the globe to rebuild partnerships and find new ones,” Xiang said. “We are also seeing buyers adopt more nimble sourcing strategies. They are placing a strong emphasis on inventory that they can swiftly sell, which allows them to stay responsive in a fast-moving market. It shows how adaptable the industry has become.” Talent, Trends & Insights Beyond the bustling show floor, JGW September came alive with an unprecedented lineup of quality programming. The momentum kicked off on 16 September with a celebratory evening that drew over 500 guests to honour the fresh talent driving the coloured gemstone industry forward. This event spotlighted the NextGen Coloured Gem Excellence Awards by JWA (Jewellery World Awards), which recognised 18 rising global leaders redefining the trade. These young trailblazers perfectly balance a deep respect for tradition with a bold drive for change − championing ethical sourcing, investing in knowledge-sharing and leveraging new technologies to build a far more transparent and connected industry. Sharing the stage was the Gender-Fluid Coloured Gem Jewellery Design Challenge, where designers broke the mould to celebrate individuality. In a standout showcase, winning student concepts were brought to life as finished jewellery by Principal Sponsor EJI using gemstones from RMC Gems HK Co, and displayed alongside Professional Track creations. The latter was supported by Taotian Group – Gold & Fashion Jewellery Industry and the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA). This celebration of creative talent seamlessly set the stage for the fair’s knowledge sessions, where key industry conversations were brought to the fore. At GEM+, stakeholders in the coloured gemstone sector convened to discuss pressing market trends, from Gen Z luxury consumption and social commerce to sustainability and leadership succession. GEM+ was supported by Principal Partners ICA GemLab and Wilds Company Limited. The search for industry innovation continued with the Sublime Shine 2.0 showcase, which invited visitors to explore the artistry of metalsmithing through live demonstrations in partnership with the World Gold Council (WGC) and Platinum Guild International (PGI). Meanwhile, the De Beers Group added to these insights by hosting exclusive “Show & Tell” sessions that focused on transparency, provenance and sustainability in the natural diamond pipeline. The true hub for this intellectual programming was The Stage at the HKCEC, which hosted a dynamic series of expert-led seminars from leading global organisations. This extensive roster included the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China Limited; Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association; International Fei Cui Jade Association; Japan Pearl Promotion Society; L’ECOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts; PGI; Shanghai International Jewelry and Style District, and Zhengzhou Research Institute, China University of Geosciences (Beijing). A major highlight of this seminar lineup was a panel titled “The Benefits of Hong Kong as a Gold Exchange Centre for the Jewellery Industry,” hosted in partnership with the Hong Kong Gold & Silver Ornament Workers & Merchants General Union (HKGSGU). Dr. Haywood Cheung, Chairman of the Hong Kong Gold Exchange, delivered the keynote address and was joined by industry heavyweights Kent Wong (Chow Tai Fook), Rex Lam (HKGSGU) and Edmund Chow (Shenzhen BATAR). Together, they explored the city’s position as a global gold trading hub and how it delivers tangible benefits to the broader jewellery sector. Further expanding the fair’s educational reach, the programming also featured a first-time Mandarin-language Coloured Gemstone Master Class tailored specifically for content creators. Held in partnership with four gemmological institutes (IGI, AIGS, SSEF and Gübelin), the master class covered advanced identification, origin authentication and treatment recognition. Capping off the week’s collaborative energy, The New Jeweller marked its 20th anniversary at the fair − positioning the event as a cornerstone of its milestone year. Looking ahead to JGW September’s 2027 edition, the fair will continue its successful dual-venue format, running from 14 – 18 September at AWE and from 16 – 20 September at the HKCEC.

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