March saw the Hong Kong Exhibition Center in Wan Chai welcoming a record number of more than 3,300 exhibitors from 49 countries to Asia’s largest Spring jewellery show, the 30th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show.
The five day show is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Jewellers’ & Goldsmiths’ Association, the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association, the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association and the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China, and ranks as one of the top 3 jewellery trade shows in the world. A record number of buyers attended this year’s show, 42,000 from 140 countries over the five days.
The show covered all aspects of the jewellery trade, plus 20 special events included seminars, receptions, auctions and jewellery parades.
Seventeen group pavilions and new exhibitors participating this year from Cyprus, Peru, and Lebanon prove the international appeal of this event.
Design is paramount to the continuing development of the jewellery business, and this was encouraged through three major design competitions: 14th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition; 9th International South Sea Pearl Jewellery Design Competition; and the 2013 International Jewellery Design Excellence Award. The winning entries were on display during the show, and attracted a lot of attention.
One particular section of the show growing in interest in recent years is the Antique and Vintage Jewellery Galleria. Here visitors could find the timeless appeal of craftsmanship from another era. The exhibitors came from around the world including the UK, Switzerland, and Italy, with a strong showing from the USA also. Elegant treasures from brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Bulgari and Tiffany were on display alongside beautiful Italian crafted pieces, and Art Deco.
Hong Kong has a fascination with previously owned pieces (or as we prefer to call them ‘previously loved and cherished’) having hosted in past years exhibitions of HRH Princess Margaret, and Elizabeth Taylor’s jewel collection before they were auctioned.
Walter Engelbert of US company McTeigue Since 1895, has been coming to the show for eight years now, and was enthusiastic about the response at this year’s event.
“Our presence in the Antique and Vintage Jewellery section of the show gives us exposure to clients that we would not get from the trade shows we do in the United States, including local retail jewelers, private individuals, and other dealers from around the world. The relationships we develop and the knowledge we gain from doing this show are vital to our business”, he says.
“We were happy to see strong interest in our fine pieces of estate jewelry and larger diamonds. Notably, over the last few years, we have seen the retail jewelers and private individuals from this part of the world looking for finer and finer things, especially in signed pieces of jewelry. Tiffany continues to be a very sought after brand, but interest in other names such as Cartier, VCA, Winston and David Webb is certainly growing”.
Unfortunately with so much high value merchandise around, the show also attracted people intent on not buying, but stealing! Exhibitors reported over HK$500,000 of jewellery stolen in first two days. Some thieves were apprehended, and the very visible private security and obvious police presence was very reassuring.
Come September, Hong Kong will host the world’s number one show, the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair. The show will be divided between the locations of the Wan Chai Conference and Exhibition Centre and the AsiaWorld – Expo.
In 2012 Hong Kong exports of fine jewellery totaled US$7 billion, an increase of 14 percent over the previous year. With the success of 30th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, the position of Hong Kong as one of the top exporters of fine jewellery and pearls looks strong.
