The return of Chinese buyers and increased attendance from Southeast and Central Asia-based visitors fuelled business activity at the recently concluded Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong (JGA).

Event organiser Informa Markets Jewellery said the mid-year sourcing fair recorded a total of 24,020 unique buyers from 87 countries and regions, representing a 5 per cent year-over-year attendance growth. 

Notably, nearly 61 per cent of visitors came from outside Hong Kong. This growth in foot traffic was primarily driven by the renewed presence of buyers from China and stronger-than-expected participation from Asian markets – specifically the Philippines and Thailand – and emerging economies like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The fair was held from June 19 to 22 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

“While concerns about the Chinese buyer’s purchasing power surfaced during the September 2024 and March 2025 shows, I am delighted to report strong attendance figures from China at JGA. Does this translate to higher purchasing volumes? Not necessarily. In today’s complex global economy, buyers are understandably cautious – comparing prices across markets and working closely with vendors to maximise budgets,” shared Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery.

“Nevertheless, we remain positive about the industry after witnessing the jewellery community’s energy and resilience at JGA. This fair likewise positions buyers perfectly for Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) in September – the global industry’s ultimate meeting point where businesses stock inventory for high-demand seasons while sourcing fresh solutions.”
 

JGA 2025
 

Event highlights

Another significant trend at JGA was live selling on the show floor, where professional hosts deliver shopping streams that blend entertainment with flash sales and instant purchasing opportunities. These sales anchors, particularly those from China, attract audiences ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands – potentially translating into exceptional market reach and significant sales opportunities.

“We actively welcome real-time sellers,” Lau continued. “This approach delivers two significant benefits. First, we provide live sellers with access to industry knowledge and gemmological expertise – addressing a common challenge in live commerce where product information is often insufficient. Second, these sellers then share what they have learned at the show with their online followers, helping stimulate demand among younger, predominantly digital shoppers. Ultimately, our exhibitors benefit since the jewellery buyer base expands to include a younger demographic.”

JGA brought together nearly 1,200 exhibitors from close to 30 countries and regions, showcasing thousands of product introductions. The fair featured 30-plus distinct theme and group pavilions, including the Fine Design/Fine Gem Pavilion for high jewellery and gemstone manufacturers, the CORE Pavilion highlighting some of Hong Kong’s best, the Fei Cui Gallery with an expansive jadeite display and the ever-popular Antique & Vintage Jewellery Pavilion. Buyers also found a diverse selection of offerings throughout the show’s various sections, categorised by product types. These encompassed loose diamonds, coloured gemstones and pearls; finished jewellery and jewellery mountings; jewellery manufacturing equipment; packaging solutions and technology applications.

One of the show’s premier attractions was the celebrated Orient Odyssey 2.0 (OO 2.0) pearl exhibit, which set new digital engagement benchmarks at JGA when a China-based content creator hosted a live virtual tour. The broadcast drew over 420,000 viewers, demonstrating the powerful convergence of traditional jewellery exhibitions with digital platforms. OO 2.0 was sponsored by Autore, Hong Kong Edison Pearl Co Ltd, Jewelmer, Paspaley Pearling Company and Rio Pearl.

Complementing this was an exclusive content programme exploring sustainability practices, pearls reimagined for a new generation of buyers and jewellery e-commerce trends. Informa also revealed the finalists for the much-anticipated Sustainability Awards 2025 by JWA (Jewellery World Awards). Panel discussion recordings are now available on the JGA website.

In 2026, JGA will be held from June 18 to 21 at the HKCEC.

JGW 2025

At the JGA media conference, Informa Markets Jewellery offered a preview of the special attractions coming to JGW this September across two venues. Among them are: 

•    Gold Jewellery Pavilion: A dedicated space showcasing innovative trends and technological advances in gold jewellery creation. This area will feature the World Gold Council (WGC) Pavilion, making its debut appearance at JGW.

•    Sublime Shine: A special exhibit by the Jewellery & Gem Knowledge Community highlighting gold, platinum, silver and other metals used in fine jewellery creation. This presentation is supported by two Industry Partners – the WGC and Platinum Guild International (PGI).

•    Sustainability Awards 2025 by JWA: The Awards Presentation Ceremony on 17 September will be complemented by panel sessions led by sustainability trailblazers from across the industry.

•    ASEAN Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (AGJA) Conference: A first in Hong Kong, this gathering is a joint project of the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association (HKJJA), which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and AGJA, a trade group established by ASEAN’s jewellery community.

Pre-registration for JGW is open until September 7. JGW will be held from September 15 to 19 at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) and from September 17 to 21 at the HKCEC.