Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) 2020, organised by Informa Markets Jewellery, is pivoting to an online format with the launch of Jewellery & Gem Digital World (J&G Digital World) – a virtual fair that seamlessly integrates digital product meetings with industry forums and gemmology workshops.

Previously known as the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, JGW — the world’s biggest B2B jewellery marketplace — will make its physical return in September 2021 as it aims to become a sourcing event that combines the best of offline and online platforms, according to organisers. 

JGW 2020 was originally scheduled for September at two venues – September 13 to 17 at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) for loose precious materials, and September 15 to 19 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre for finished jewellery and other related products. The show was then moved to November 9 to 13 at the AWE due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

As the situation continues to evolve and the outlook remains uncertain, Informa Markets Jewellery said it is gearing up for an enhanced in-person event in September next year.

“We know how important our Jewellery & Gem fairs are as powerful platforms where our community can come together, create strong business relationships and discover leads to drive up sales. We are conscious of the great responsibility that we hold as the organiser of the biggest jewellery events in the world – led by our flagship show, JGW – and no one is more disappointed in the decision to move the industry’s foremost in-person event to 2021 than us,” said David Bondi, senior vice president of Informa Markets in Asia.

“Our overriding priority has always been to provide our stakeholders with a safe, secure and the highest-quality sourcing experience possible, which is simply not feasible given the current circumstances. New challenges, however, afforded us new opportunities to work for creative solutions that will bring our community together in a new way — Jewellery & Gem Digital World.”

Scheduled for October 27 to 29, J&G Digital World is the first edition of a series of virtual events anchored in efficient digital product meetings enhanced by custom digital catalogues, assortment management solutions and personalised showroom technology, which will endure as a valuable service beyond the Covid-19 crisis. Several new online initiatives, including an Asian jewellery industry webinar series, and Jewellery & Gem Knowledge Community’s online gemstone education programme, will also be launched as a prelude to the virtual show.

“We are embracing the hybrid future of B2B jewellery commerce. In the coming months, we will introduce even more exciting opportunities for industry stakeholders by optimising our best-in-class physical shows with our new digital capabilities,” Bondi said.

Meanwhile, JNA Awards 2020 will reveal its award recipients in a virtual presentation scheduled for October 27 – the first day of J&G Digital World. The most prestigious programme of its kind in the international jewellery and gemstone industry, the JNA Awards champions best business practices by honouring companies and individuals that demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovative thinking, and sustainable and socially responsible strategies. This year, the event is open to registered participants of J&G Digital World and the JNA Awards.