The biggest and brightest names in the global jewellery and gemstone industry are coming together at Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) scheduled for September 18 to 24, 2023.

Renowned as the world’s number one fine jewellery and gemstone event, JGW is celebrating its 40th edition this month by hosting a slew of special events, led by a gathering of industry luminaries at Master Insights panel discussions that shine the spotlight on the recipients of the Extraordinary 40 Awards (E40).

Exclusive to JGW’s milestone edition, the E40 Awards is a prestigious tribute that honours 40 individuals who have made a profound impact on the jewellery sector over the past decades and whose transformative journeys are an integral part of the fair’s legacy.

“Master Insights offers an unparalleled opportunity for JGW attendees to acquire invaluable perspectives directly from the industry’s foremost leaders. Convening in Hong Kong for the first time since the pandemic, these experts are uniting to share their wealth of experiences and viewpoints on the future of the sector – all under the JGW umbrella. By bringing together this collective wisdom in a comprehensive panel discussion series, Master Insights has firmly established itself as one of the cornerstone events of the year for the global jewellery and gemstone community,” said David Bondi, senior vice president of Informa Markets in Asia.

Previously known as the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, JGW is poised for a spectacular comeback, ushering in a host of remarkable milestones. Notably, it will serve as the stage for commemorating its 40th edition and the 40th anniversary of JNA, Informa Markets Jewellery’s flagship trade publication, through the Jewellery World Awards’ (JWA) Extraordinary 40 programme.

With a return to its “One Fair, Two Venues” format, JGW will showcase more than 3,000 exhibitors from over 50 countries and regions, housed in 40-plus group and themed pavilions, including the iconic Fine Gem and Design Pavilions, International Premier Pavilion and CORE – a zone showcasing Hong Kong’s premier jewellery manufacturers. The event will also shine the spotlight on the ruby, the 40th anniversary gemstone, through the Red Radiance project (Booth No. 3M260) – an education programme featuring exhibits, live demonstrations and immersive experiences centred around the “King of Gemstones.”

JGW will take place from September 18 to 22 at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), where jewellery materials, including loose diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls, will be presented, and from September 20 to 24 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), where finished jewellery, packaging solutions, tools and equipment, and jewellery industry-related technologies will be unveiled. Online pre-registration for buyers is now open. 

Awards presentations, expert conversations

The E40 Awards-related sessions will revolve around five topics: Diamonds, Coloured Gemstones, Pearls, Jewellery Retail and the Greater China market. An E40 Awards Presentation will precede each panel discussion.

“Our Extraordinary 40 Awardees are the embodiment of excellence, dedication, commitment and boldness within the jewellery world. With this recognition campaign, we wholeheartedly express our gratitude to the Award recipients, as well as countless others who, although not publicly acknowledged, have contributed to the success and growth of our sector,” said Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery.

On September 20, from 2pm to 4pm, the session, “From Rough To Brilliant: Charting A Course For An Exciting Future,” will feature a dream line-up of the world’s leaders in diamonds – all gathered in Hong Kong for the first time on one panel. Taking place at the Grand Foyer of the HKCEC, the event will be led by Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre); David Block, CEO of Sarine Technology Group; Dilip Mehta, chairman emeritus of Rosy Blue Alliance, and Lawrence Ma, founding president of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China (DFHK). 

These experts will explore the unprecedented shifts in the market dynamics that have transformed the entire industry, discussing how changing consumer preferences and the lingering impact of the pandemic have disrupted the diamond sector and created a new landscape for businesses to navigate. Attendees will learn about adaptive strategies, including investments in technology, sustainability and marketing efforts targeting socially conscious consumers. 

Two sessions are scheduled for September 21 also at the HKCEC’s Grand Foyer.

From 11am to 1pm, renowned figures from the coloured gemstone trade will convene for “The Future Of Coloured Gemstones: Opportunities And Challenges.” Leading the discussion will be Clement Sabbagh, director of Ben Sabbagh Bros and former president of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA); Damien Cody, director of Cody Opal Australia and president of ICA; Richard W. Hughes, world-renowned gemmologist, author of the “Ruby & Sapphire” books and Founder of Lotus Gemology, and world-class gemstone artist, Victor Tuzlukov. 

This exceptional line-up of experts will delve into crucial questions, including the evolving supply situation, the demand outlook amidst current market conditions of limited supply and robust prices, and how businesses can adapt and respond to changing market trends, with a specific focus on the preferences and needs of next-generation consumers.

From 2pm to 4pm, the spotlight will shift to jewellery retail in the session titled “Bold Retailers, Challenging Markets: Lessons In Success From The Jewellery Industry.” Attendees will have the rare opportunity to witness the convergence of retail powerhouses led by Le Tri Thong, vice chairperson and CEO of Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company – PNJ (Vietnam) and Prida Tiasuwan, founding chairman of Pranda Jewelry Public Co Ltd (Thailand). Joining them are Daniel Nyfeler, managing director of Gübelin Gem Lab, and Ghanshyam Dholakia, managing director of Hari Krishna Exports. These experts will share their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced by the retail sector in their respective regions, exploring innovative approaches and successful strategies that have propelled their businesses to thrive.

Two additional sessions will be held on September 22 at the Chancellor Room of the HKCEC.

From 11am to 1pm, the session on “Pearls Of Wisdom: Trends, Opportunities And Challenges Ahead” will be led by Jacques Christophe Branellec, CEO of Jewelmer; Jonathan Cheng, director of Rio Pearl; Robert Wan, founder of Robert Wan Group; famed pearl expert Thomas M. Moses, executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer at GIA; Yoshihiro Shimizu, CEO of Hosei and former chairman of the Japan Pearl Exporters’ Association (JPEA), and Zhan Weijian, chairman and general manager of Grace Pearl (HK) Co Ltd. These superstars of the pearl world will offer fresh insights on pearl farming, trading, jewellery manufacturing, retailing, branding and marketing. 

From 2pm to 4pm, a session on “The Power Of Storytelling: Winning Over China’s New Generation Of Jewellery Consumers” will provide attendees with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear from the most prominent and competitive jewellery retailers and leading authorities in Greater China and beyond, all assembled in one place. The resource speakers comprise Kent Wong Siu-Kee, managing director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group and chairman of The Jewellers’ and Goldsmiths’ Association of Hong Kong Limited (JGAHK); Dong Bo, president of Kimberlite Diamonds Group; Chrisyta Lin, brand director of CHJ Jewellery, and Mimi Ou Yang, jadeite expert and founder of the Hong Kong Gems Laboratory and HK Institute of Gemmology.

In addition to the Master Insights Series, engaging seminars and networking events will be held on the fair’s sidelines.

Red Radiance

The ruby, as the 40th anniversary gemstone, rightfully takes centre stage as the focal gem in JGW’s engaging educational programme, Red Radiance – the Ruby’s Mine-to-Market Adventure Exhibition, which is taking place in Hall 3 Concourse (3M260) of the HKCEC. This experience invites buyers to explore and discover the many intriguing facets of the ruby, encompassing its history, origins, distinctive cutting styles, rarity and beauty.

A standout feature of the programme is the Red Radiance Treasure Hunt, which calls on visitors to view the exceptional ruby exhibits displayed by participating exhibitors from both AWE and the HKCEC. After visiting all the designated treasure hunt booths, participants have the chance to receive exclusive giveaways that serve as mementos of their ruby adventure. 

Red Radiance is proudly presented by Informa Markets’ Jewellery & Gem Knowledge Community along with title sponsor ICA | GemLab, sponsor Gemfields, and partners Befound, Brink’s Hong Kong Ltd., Fura Mining, Gemolithos Fine Gems & Jewels, Hatta Fine Jewelry, Justin K Prim, KGK Group, Lotus Gemology Co Ltd, Miro Ng and Wanguo Gemstone & Rough Trading (Shenzhen) Co Ltd. More programme partners will be announced soon.

Show floor attractions

At its core, JGW is dedicated to B2B product sourcing, offering professional buyers an abundance of new discoveries at every turn. Spanning across two expansive venues, the marketplace features an impressive array of 40+ group and themed pavilions that cater to every aspect of the supply chain. From loose stones and jewellery mountings to finished jewellery, packaging solutions and innovative technologies in manufacturing and retail, among others, buyers will uncover an endless array of treasures.

Among the must-visit destinations on the show floor are the Fine Gem Pavilion (FGP) located in Hall 9 of the AWE, and the Fine Design Pavilion (FDP), International Premier Pavilion (IPP) and the CORE Pavilion, all at the HKCEC, to name a few.

Additionally, SEASONS | Autumn will be co-located with JGW from September 20 to 24 in Hall 5B of the HKCEC. One of the most inspiring and exciting B2B fairs in the fashion jewellery and accessories sector, the Fall edition is recognised as a powerful platform that sparks business collaboration and partnerships. The show offers a world of opportunities to buyers searching for must-have collections for the Spring/Summer of 2024 and beyond.

Hello Hong Kong!

As part of its “Hello Hong Kong” campaign, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is offering Hong Kong Goodies visitor consumption vouchers with citywide offers to international participants of JGW. Attendees from overseas can collect their redemption cards at designated distribution points within the show venue.