Faced with challenges such as US tariffs and weak Chinese demand in traditional export destinations, the gem and jewelry trade is now turning its attention to the Middle East. Judging from the enthusiasm at the Dubai Jewellery & Technology Show (JGTD) last November, this decision is indeed justified.

The 2025 JGTD, co-organized by Informa Markets Jewellery and the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), attracted 5,667 professional buyers, a 15% increase from last year. The number of overseas buyers surged 55% to 3,332, accounting for 59% of total visitors, marking a record high since the exhibition's inception in 2022.

The three-day event, held from November 11 to 13 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, saw a surge in visitors from China, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
 

Dubai Jewellery & Technology Show (JGTD) Opening Ceremony

Liu Xiaowen, Director of Jewelry Exhibitions at Informa Markets Jewellery, said: "The increase in visitor numbers has solidified JGTD's position as the leading jewelry trade fair in the Middle East and a major sourcing hub within a 6-7 hour flight radius of Dubai."

IEG Chief Commercial Officer Marco Carniello added, "As seen at the show, buyers came prepared with clear needs, established budgets, and well-defined sourcing schedules, demonstrating their strategic sourcing goals."
 

 

Promising future

Exhibitors said that business opportunities abounded during the exhibition, with buyers showing great interest in creative designs and high-value products, reflecting the region's strong demand for high-quality products.

Bipre, a Taiwanese colored gemstone jewelry manufacturer that made its debut at JGTD this year, has generated a great response with its signature ruby ​​and sapphire jewelry sets.

Director Nihit Maheshwari stated, "Our purpose in exhibiting is to reach new clients and agents, and to help us expand into the Middle Eastern market. We've already made contact with retailers from Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf countries during the first two days of the exhibition, and the visitor traffic has been considerable, resulting in promising business."
 

 

Hong Kong-based Tasa also uses trade shows to reach out to distributors, auction houses, and high-end retailers to promote its fine jewelry business and expand into the Middle Eastern market.

This Hong Kong jeweler specializes in providing luxury jewelry and art pieces for high-net-worth individuals and auction houses. Their fine jewelry revolves around value, culture, and art, with each piece telling a unique story and interpreting specific themes and connotations through innovative design.

Arly Tsi, Senior Sales Consultant at Tasa International, stated, "Our work has attracted numerous buyers from both the wholesale and retail sectors. More importantly, we've connected with a potential client closely linked to our bidding business. This is significant because we rely on our local partner's industry connections and reputation to promote high-priced jewelry to their clients."

Intramanee Co Ltd of Thailand received enthusiastic inquiries from jewelers in the UAE, as well as buyers from Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. The company produces silver and gold jewelry for international jewelry brands, and its Managing Director, Dome Mongkolpradit, stated that gold-plated silver and pure gold jewelry were the most popular products at the exhibition.

Huge potential

Indian diamond manufacturer Shivam Jewels also had a successful year at the 2025 JGTD. Priyal Shankar, its Brand and Technical Director, noted a significant increase in demand for cushion and marquise cuts, in addition to conventional cuts such as round and oval.

"Many emerging jewelers and seasoned traders from the Middle East visited our booth and showed great interest in our products," Shankar said. He also revealed that his company hosted numerous buyers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and Europe.

Shankar points out that the Middle East will become the next major diamond market after the United States. "The opportunity lies here. The Middle East is experiencing a wave of wealth transfer, and diamonds over 1 carat are performing particularly well here. There is demand in the Dubai market for all sizes. The Gulf region has a strong demand for diamonds of 3 carats and above from high-end brands such as Graff and Moussaief. Consumers in this region tend to choose diamonds with J, K, and L color grades and VVS and VS clarity grades."

 

 

Dubai-based Evara Diamond, specializing in extra-large and unique diamonds, also saw strong business at the exhibition. Managing Director Shashank Kothari stated that 2-3 carat diamonds with DH color grade and VS clarity were particularly popular at the show.

Fancy-cut diamonds are highly sought after, especially pear and marquise cuts. The company sold a pair of 7.7-carat pear-shaped diamonds to an Israeli buyer for nearly $450,000; marquise-shaped diamonds were almost sold out due to strong demand from Kuwait.

Kothari stated, "We have made deals with jewelers and distributors from all over the world—New York, Israel, Antwerp, China, Egypt, and Turkey. This exhibition is gradually becoming a significant event in the industry."

Krainz Creations made its Middle East debut at a trade show, revealing that buyers in the Gulf region are drawn to its bold and innovative jewelry designs. Highlights from the American jeweler included jewelry sets crafted from lavender-colored conch pearls and multi-functional diamond brooches that can be converted into wallet pins or pen clips.  

President Roland Krainz said, "While the primary goal of this exhibition was market development and business cooperation, the experience gained will undoubtedly contribute to future sales."
 

 

The fourth JGTD Jewelry Fair brought together approximately 400 exhibitors from 26 countries and regions, with the net exhibition area increasing by 10% compared to the previous edition.

This year's exhibitors included companies from Jordan, Kazakhstan, Oman, and Taiwan participating for the first time, bringing a fresh perspective to the event. The nine pavilions from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Dubai, India, Italy, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States further demonstrated the event's international influence.

JGTD maintains friendly partnerships with industry partners and has received strong support from its official partner, the Dubai Multi Commodity Exchange (DMCC), and its industry partner, the Dubai Jewellery Group (DJG), for the fourth consecutive year.