Hong Kong: 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 organizer Informa Markets announced today.
Staged as a massive dual-venue showcase, the B2B event ran from 14 – 18 September at the Asia World-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.” |
