Hong Kong shows see more US buyers

Hong Kong--Show organizers said the number of buyers from the United States who attended the jewelry and gem shows held in Hong Kong this month increased, as did overall attendance.

The U.S. Jewelry Importers and Manufacturers Association assembled 10 jewelry companies to attend the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show and the International Jewellery Show, both of which are organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) through a “Two Shows, Two Venues” agreement.

This contributed to a double-digit year-over-year increase in U.S. buyer attendance. Similar increases were recorded for buyers from other traditional markets, the U.K., Japan and Italy, while the emerging markets of Thailand, Israel and South Africa also saw significant growth in attendance.

Overall attendance at both shows was up 2 percent as compared with 2014, bringing in 76,000 total buyers from 140 countries and regions. Some 30,000 attended the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show (March 2 to 6) and 46,000 went to the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show (March 4 to 8.)

A new record also was set for vendors, with more than 4,360 exhibitors from 52 countries participating in the two shows.  

The HKTDC said that it hired an independent agency to conduct on-site surveys at the show, which resulted in about 80 percent of buyers reporting that they expected steady or increased overall sales in 2015.

The surveys also found that 60 percent of both buyers and exhibitors expect retail prices to be steady this year in order to stay competitive.

In terms of products, most of the buyers and exhibitors who were interviewed said that they expect karat gold to be popular in 2015, with almost half reporting that they think white gold will be in demand, followed closely by yellow gold at 32 percent and rose gold at 33 percent.

They also predict that diamonds will be the most popular stone this year, especially 1-carat round white diamonds.

Additionally, the Diamond, Gem & Pearl show introduced a new “Treasures of Ocean” area to showcase high-quality pearls due to the fact that they have been in higher demand, especially among buyers from mainland China.