The latest edition of Jewellery & Gem WORLD (JGW) in Hong Kong drew impressive global participation, marking a remarkable surge in attendance despite challenging adverse economic conditions.
This year’s fair featured more than 3,000 exhibitors from more than 44 countries, spread across 40 themed pavilions. The show opened on 15 September at Asia World-Expo (AWE). It continued until 21 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), once again reaffirming its position as one of the most important trade events in the international jewellery calendar.
Event organiser Informa Markets reported that more than 55,000 visitors from more than 140 countries attended JGW 2025. This represents a 10 per cent increase from the previous year. The figure is particularly notable given ongoing concerns surrounding tariffs, inflation, and cost-of-living pressures across key markets.
According to Informa Markets, around 70 per cent of buyers travelled from outside Hong Kong, with notable growth in attendance from emerging markets such as Australasia, Africa, and the Middle East. Celine Lau, director of jewellery fairs at Informa Markets, said the results reflect both resilience and adaptability within the trade.
“While this edition’s attendance growth reflects our community’s resilience, we understand these numbers don’t tell the complete story. Having said that, the presence of suppliers and buyers at JGW, despite the business uncertainties that have dominated show floor conversations, demonstrates our sector’s adaptability,” Lau said.
“Ultimately, the September Fair continues to be an indispensable fixture in the industry calendar – a definitive destination where buyers not only secure their Christmas and New Year inventory but also thoughtfully map out their purchasing plans for the year ahead, mindful of ongoing market challenges.”
David Bondi, senior vice president of Informa Markets, underscored the event’s enduring relevance to the global industry.
“JGW 2025 has proven that Hong Kong remains a vital meeting point for the world’s jewellery community. The industry’s enthusiasm and optimism were palpable throughout the fair,” Bondi said.
Among this year’s special features was Sublime Shine: Metal Innovations in the Art of Jewellery, an interactive exhibition exploring new approaches to gold, platinum, and silver craftsmanship.
Supported by the World Gold Council and the Platinum Guild International, the exhibit encouraged visitors to experience cutting-edge techniques and technologies shaping the future of fine jewellery. Lau noted that exhibitors were responding strategically to evolving market dynamics.
“Exhibitors are responding to evolving market conditions with strategic pricing and more accessible product offerings such as lower karat gold items – balancing cautious optimism with practical business approaches for the coming year,” Lau continued.
“We are seeing a blend of necessity and measured confidence. Feedback from exhibitors suggests some buyers participated primarily to place orders for immediate delivery, sustain relationships and collect market intelligence while waiting for greater clarity on international trade policies that could significantly impact pricing structures.”
She further added that expanding into stable and emerging regions remains a key priority for the fair.
“Part of our role is to help the industry explore new markets. The ‘Belt and Road’ countries, along with ASEAN, are relatively more stable in the political and economic sense and offer better environments to help business thrive at present.”
Planning for the future
A significant highlight of the week was the 2025 Conference hosted by the ASEAN Gems & Jewellery Trade Association (AGJA). The event underscored the long-standing partnership between AGJA and the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association (HKJJA), drawing a strong turnout of international delegates, thought leaders, and innovators.
Another significant moment came with the Sustainability Awards 2025, presented by the Jewellery World Awards.
The initiative recognised companies championing environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance excellence across five distinct categories, with winners celebrated at a special Recognition Ceremony hosted by Informa Markets.
New Friends & Familiar Faces
Among the standout exhibitors was Singapore-based Australian jeweller John Glajz, who recently unveiled the newest chapter of the Green Jewel Collection, a creative collaboration between Muzo Emerald and Argyle Pink Diamonds.
The 25-piece collection features exquisite emerald centrepieces from Colombia’s Muzo mine paired with rare pink diamonds from Western Australia’s famed Argyle mine.
"The fair was more upbeat than last year. There was strong activity in exceptional diamonds and gemstones, with buyers from all around the world,” Glajz told Jeweller.
“The vintage and revival jewellery section was especially lively, with both trade and private clients visibly purchasing from the displays. Overall, most exhibitors and visitors we know were pleased with the outcome.”
LJ West, a renowned New York–based diamond house specialising in natural fancy colour diamonds, shared similar sentiments. William Gant noted that serious buyer engagement was a defining feature of the event.
“We saw a steady rise in serious buyer interest at JGW, continuing the positive trend from recent years. This was particularly notable given the smaller exhibitor presence in our section this time,” Gant explained.
On the show floor, enthusiasm was unmistakable. Yet, as Paul Chieveley Williams of Diamwill observed, the excitement occasionally overshadowed the fair’s commercial purpose. Diamwill, a global diamond trading firm recognised for its high-quality white and fancy colour diamonds, experienced a mixed but revealing series of interactions with visitors.
"Attendees seemed thrilled to be back in Hong Kong, though the excitement sometimes overshadowed the primary purpose of the event,” he explained.
"We saw robust sales in high-colour, high-quality diamonds, especially larger sizes in whites, along with a handful of impressive yellows – this was mostly fuelled by purchases made by the major jewellery houses and brands. Beyond that, activity in other categories was quite subdued, and there was virtually no demand from mainland buyers."
While the diamond sector experienced uneven activity, coloured gemstone exhibitors reported more consistent momentum. Optimism was high, and many participants spoke of renewed confidence in global colour gemstone trading.
Damian Cody, president of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), reflected this mood.
"As ICA President, I'm pleased to note that exhibitors at our pavilion during the Hong Kong fair were positive about the show traffic and buyer sentiment,” he said.
“Most reported sales that exceeded their expectations, and I'm hopeful this could mark a positive turning point for the gemstone industry, with trends continuing in this direction."
Community & Renewal
Jewellery fairs have always served as vital barometers of industry health. It’s a place where creativity, commerce, and community converge. This year, that spirit was particularly evident.
Steve Der Bedrossian of SAMS Group described the event’s renewed vibrancy and sense of momentum.
“It was a great show with a strong and positive vibe. The market looks to have bounced back, with solid engagement and confidence on display through the halls,” he said.
For others, the fair represented something more profound than commerce. It’s a celebration of shared passion and human connection. Stelios Palioudakis of Stelios Jewellers, who travelled from Perth, reflected on the personal significance of returning to Hong Kong.
“The Hong Kong jewellery fair always feels like a reunion and an adventure rolled into one. I come mainly to network and catch up with friends, not to worry about how busy or crowded it gets – that part barely registers anymore,” he said.
“What truly matters to me are the people, the familiar scents, the atmosphere, and the excitement of discovering something new and innovative in jewellery design and technology.
“It’s more sentimental than that to me than a commercial fair – it’s about connection, inspiration, and the shared passion that brings us all together.”
Keep Punching
As JGW 2025 drew to a close, the prevailing sentiment among exhibitors and visitors was one of cautious optimism. Despite persistent global headwinds, including currency fluctuations, geopolitical tension, and shifting consumer behaviour, the fair demonstrated that the international jewellery industry remains resilient and adaptable.
Unsurprisingly, some pavilions reported mixed results; however, activity in colour gemstones and fine jewellery underscored a steady return of confidence. The strong international turnout also reaffirmed Hong Kong’s role as a strategic hub for trade and networking, bridging markets worldwide.
At its core, the fair reflected an industry in transition - balancing tradition with innovation, and pragmatism with renewed creative energy. The coming year will undoubtedly determine how effectively jewellers build on this momentum; however, for now, the signs point toward a market that, while cautious, is moving forward with purpose.
• Jewellery & Gem WORLD (JGW) in Hong Kong will return on 15 September 2026. Between now and then, Jewellery & Gem ASIA (JGA) will take place at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, starting on 18 June.
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