On June 23, the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair concluded. This grand gemstone event garnered significant attention prior to its commencement, yet visitor feedback varied as the fair progressed. Compared to the March and September jewelry exhibitions, the June show was smaller in scale, omitting the AsiaWorld-Expo venue and utilizing only the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This was one of the reasons why many buyers approached this show with lower expectations.
But how did the event unfold on-site? Join us as we take a look back at this exhibition.
Highlights of the Exhibition
01 Diverse Exhibition Categories, Crowded Registration Area
Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the fair featured distinct themed pavilions based on exhibitor categories. The Ground Floor showcased Jadeite, Antique Jewelry, and High Jewelry. The 3rd Floor featured Colored Gemstones, Diamonds, Gem Laboratories, Instruments, and Design Pieces. The 5th Floor displayed Pearls, Coral, Synthetic Diamonds, and Accessories. The concentrated and diverse categories facilitated one-stop shopping for buyers.
As is customary, the Hong Kong fair implemented pre-registration online, alleviating some of the long queues for on-site registration. Although the number of people queuing to enter decreased this year, it remained evident that visitor attendance was substantial.
02 Rising Prices for Colored Gemstones, Polarized Demand
The continuous price appreciation of precious gemstones such as emeralds, rubies, and sapphires was vividly reflected at the fair. The price per carat for top-tier quality significantly exceeded market averages. Simply put, the higher the quality, the higher the price, whereas prices for medium-to-low quality precious gemstones and other colored gemstones remained relatively stable.
Large carat gemstones, exquisite craftsmanship, and cutting in the Colored Gemstones pavilion typically attract the most visitor attention, yet attendance in this pavilion decreased significantly this time. On one hand, buyers' gemological knowledge has improved; with enhanced appreciation capabilities, their quality requirements have risen, while substantial price increases in high-quality stones deterred some buyers. On the other hand, purchasing demands became polarized, with buyers focusing respectively on the collectibility of jewelry and its cost-performance ratio.
03 Pearls Draw Significant Attention, Japanese Zone Bustling
The Pearl Pavilion, located on a separate floor from the Colored Gemstones section, presented a contrasting scene, with pearl booths surrounded by layers of buyers.
The pearl generating the most discussion was undoubtedly the large-diameter South Sea pearl displayed on an exquisite throne. South Sea pearl prices continue to rise. A necklace of premium Australian White pearls commands prices ranging from over a hundred thousand to several hundred thousand this year, with flawless large-diameter Australian White necklaces reaching prices as high as millions.
Additionally, prices for South Sea Golden Pearls have also increased significantly. Golden pearls with medium-to-superior color have become the preferred choice for value.
Influenced by last year's \"Pearl Fever\", attention on Chinese Freshwater Pearls has grown increasingly. Many pearl enterprises from Zhejiang were present among the exhibitors. However, unlike last year, consumers were more specific in their purchasing goals and acted with greater calmness.
If the Pearl Pavilion was the focal point of this exhibition, then the Japanese Zone was undoubtedly the heart of that focus.
Akoya Pearls have long held an important market position due to their small, exquisite appearance and strong luster. This time, Japanese exhibitors brought numerous design-oriented pearl jewelry pieces, adding further allure to the beauty of pearls. Beyond pearls, Japanese vintage jewelry also attracted consumer attention. Due to the continuous depreciation of the Japanese Yen, buyers could secure better prices from Japanese exhibitors, resulting in a higher number of bargain hunters in this zone.
Guild Notes
The June Hong Kong show was small but refined. Affected by various factors, overall foot traffic decreased. Determining future direction is currently the most pressing concern for many merchants. The cooling of the market trend also has two sides. Only by clearly positioning and refining development strategies during this period, and by observing and communicating with the international market at the fair, can enterprises combine their actual situations to stand out in the future development of the gem industry.
