With traditional export destinations experiencing various hurdles, from tariffs in the US and softening demand in China, the gem and jewellery trade is increasingly training its sights on the Middle East. Judging from show-floor activity at Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai (JGTD) last November, this decision is well founded.

Organised by Informa Markets Jewellery and the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), JGTD 2025 welcomed 5,667 trade buyers, up 15 per cent year on year. Overseas visitors surged by 55 per cent to 3,332 buyers, representing 59 per cent of total attendance – the highest international turnout since the show’s inception in 2022.

The three-day fair, taking place from November 11 to 13 in the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), saw a sharp increase in buyers from China, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Türkiye and Uzbekistan.

 

Opening ceremony of Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai (JGTD) 2025

 

"These attendance numbers solidify JGTD’s status as the best B2B sourcing event in the Middle East and a prime buying destination for markets within a six- to seven-hour flight radius of Dubai," noted Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery.

IEG Chief Business Officer Marco Carniello added, "The show floor atmosphere reflected buyers’ strategic sourcing focus, with participants arriving well-prepared with specific requirements, established budgets and clear procurement schedules."

 

 

Promising outcomes

Exhibitors reported strong business leads at the show, with buyers showing interest in creative designs and high-value items, reflecting the region’s appetite for premium products.

Taiwan-based coloured gemstone jewellery manufacturer Bipre, which made its JGTD debut this year, saw solid interest in its jewellery sets featuring rubies and sapphires. 

Director Nihit Maheshwari said, "We aimed to touch base with new customers and agents to help us enter the Middle East market. During the first two days of the show, we already met many retailers from Russia, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. Traffic was good and business leads even better."

 

 

Tasa Hong Kong, which specialises in luxury jewellery art pieces for high-net-worth individuals and auction houses, used JGTD as a platform to connect with dealers, auction houses and high-end retailers who could help introduce its high jewellery pieces to the Middle East market.

Revolving around value, culture and art, Tasa’s high jewellery pieces each have a story to tell, embodying specific themes and meanings in innovative creations.

Arly Tsi, Tasa’s senior consultant for International Sales, said, "Our jewellery pieces attracted many wholesale and retail buyers. One potential customer works closely with tenders. This was very significant as we need local partners with the right connections and reputation to promote our big-ticket items to their clients."

Thailand's Intramanee Co Ltd, which produces silver and gold jewellery for international brands, received promising enquiries from UAE-based jewellers as well as buyers from Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Gold-plated silver and solid gold jewellery were among buyers’ preferred items, according to Managing Director Dome Mongkolpradit. 

Vast potential

Diamond manufacturer Shivam Jewels of India had a good JGTD 2025. Priyal Shankar, the company’s director (Brand and Tech), noted greater demand for longer cushions and marquise cuts, along with rounds, ovals and other fancy shapes. 

"We had a lot of new jewellers as well as established traders from the Middle East region visit our booth and express interest in our products," he said. Apart from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait, Shivam Jewels also entertained buyers from Europe.

Shankar cited the Middle East as the next big market for diamonds, after the US. "This is where the opportunity lies. The Middle East is experiencing a wave of wealth transfer. Here, diamonds over 1 carat do very well. A broad spectrum of sizes works in Dubai. In the Gulf, demand is strong for diamonds of 3 carats and up from high-end brands such as Graff and Moussaief. The region gravitates towards VVS and VS diamonds in JKL colour," he revealed.

 

 

Business was brisk as well for Dubai-based Evara Diamond, which specialises in bigger special diamonds. Managing director Shashank Kothari said diamonds of 2 to 3 carats in D-H colours and VS quality moved particularly well at the show. 

Fancy shapes were much sought after, especially pear shapes and marquises. The company sold a pair of 7.7-carat pear-shaped diamonds for almost US$450,000 to an Israeli buyer and nearly ran out of marquises due to high demand from Kuwait, he added. 

"We did business with jewellers and dealers from all over the world – New York, Israel, Antwerp, China, Egypt, Turkiye. This show is truly becoming a significant event for the trade," said Kothari.

Krainz Creations, which made its Middle East debut at the show, said Gulf-based buyers were particularly enchanted with its bold, innovative jewellery pieces. Standouts in the US jeweller’s display windows included a jewellery set featuring lavender conch pearls and a multifunctional diamond-studded lapel pin that could be converted into a money pin or a ballpen.   

President Roland Krainz said, "While our purpose was to explore the market and make business connections, there will definitely be sales coming out of this experience."

 

 

The fourth edition of JGTD gathered around 400 exhibitors from 26 countries and regions, with net exhibition space up 10 per cent from the last fair.

Reinforcing the fair's international profile were nine pavilions representing major suppliers from China, Dubai, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye and the US, alongside first-time participants from Jordan, Kazakhstan, Oman and Taiwan.

DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) returned as Official Partner while the Dubai Jewellery Group (DJG) maintained its Industry Partner status for the fourth consecutive year.

 

Click here to read JNA's coverage of JGTD 2025.