This article first appeared in the JNA September/October 2024 issue.

Hatta New World Co Ltd is gearing up for stronger growth across its business segments, buoyed by its decades-long expertise in the luxury sector alongside new initiatives to bolster demand.

According to Chang Hatta, founder of Hatta New World, 2024 was a year of milestones for the company, having launched a new e-commerce platform and a bespoke jewellery design service.

“Business has been stronger with a significant increase in sales revenue compared to last year,” noted Chang.

A resurgence in the upscale jewellery sector in 2024, driven by solid demand from high-net-worth individuals and a growing interest in unique, top-quality pieces, also boded well for the company.

Hatta New World also faced challenges arising from fluctuating gold prices, evolving consumer behaviours and increasing competition.

“To address these, we focus on creating exclusive, limited-edition collections that showcase exceptional craftsmanship and rare gemstones,” continued Chang.

Asia – particularly China, Japan and Southeast Asia – is fuelling robust demand for high-end jewellery. Meanwhile, young, affluent consumers who favour one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces, are also driving sales.

In addition, Hatta New World capitalises on social media, influencer partnerships and exclusive events to effectively engage with today’s increasingly discerning buyers.

“The luxury market is currently seeking jewellery that is both stylish and meaningful,” shared Chang. “Designs that feature rare coloured gems like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines and hackmanite stones are highly coveted. Bespoke pieces that tell a story or have a unique history are also trendy.”

New initiatives

The company unveiled several new initiatives in 2024, headlined by a sustainability programme that focuses on responsible sourcing and reducing its environmental footprint. Hatta New World has partnered with a number of charitable institutions to create limited-edition collections. In the area of corporate social responsibility, it is dedicating time and resources to developing more charitable programmes for a larger number of beneficiaries.

The jeweller is maintaining an upbeat outlook for 2025, supported by rising demand from Asia and the market’s fascination for luxury jewellery.

Prospects are also bright for ICA | GemLab, in which Hatta New World is an investor.

The lab had a stellar performance in 2024 as it recorded an increase in demand for its gem-testing and certification services. It likewise started offering a mobile lab service at trade fairs with a 24-hour turnaround time, allowing onsite testing of gems.

Its new “Enfold Identification Report” and “Enfold Identification & Origin Report” are scheduled to be launched at Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong in September.

“It is efficient and portable,” explained Chang. “The Enfold Report streamlines inventory management with its compact and trifold design, providing detailed gem identification in a business-friendly format.”

ICA | GemLab is also presenting its spectrum of coloured gemstone charts, which is essentially a colour wheel and a valuable tool for new and established industry players. “With a focus on education and knowledge sharing, this chart is part of ICA | GemLab's ongoing efforts to support the gemstone community,” continued Chang.

Moving forward, Hatta New World will continue to focus on producing exceptional, high-quality jewellery that best resonates with modern buyers. Sustained investments in sustainability initiatives and charitable partnerships are also critical to its overall growth strategy. For its part, ICA | GemLab will continue to innovate and expand its services, which include launching new gem-testing technology and educational programmes.