34 | JNA September/October 2025 HUB 生产基地 The markets of Southeast Asia are brimming with potential as jewellery manufacturing and consumption hubs, but many have remained largely untapped. This is increasingly changing as geopolitical tensions and economic downturns prompt international suppliers – and buyers – to explore new business horizons. The story here is one of gold and silver. The gold tradition is deeply entrenched in Southeast Asian cultures, where it is viewed as a store of wealth and the preferred metal for adornment. Gold likewise dominates manufacturing centres such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Silver, for its part, represents the bulk of jewellery exports from Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Philippine chain reaction The Philippines is a jewellery supplier’s paradise. The culture of jewellery is strong here, headlined by pearls, gold, silver and diamond pieces – most of which are imported. The country’s manufacturing capabilities cover mainly high-end custom-made creations for the local consumer base hence the main jewellery categories – particularly lower-end everyday items – remain available to international vendors, according to Mia Florencio, immediate past president of the Guild of Philippine Jewellers, which comprises retailers located in Metro Manila, the Philippine National Capital Region. “The Philippines is a lucrative market for jewellery suppliers. Manufacturers from Türkiye, Hong Kong, China, India and other production centres often visit the country to personally showcase their latest collections and designs to local retailers and chain stores,” she revealed. One particularly underserved area in the Philippine jewellery scene is gold chains. Florencio disclosed that all gold chains in the country are imported. “Can you imagine that, in a country with a population of 100 million, no one manufactures gold chains? This is an enormous market – everyone in the Philippines wears at least some form of jewellery. And chains are a staple in most jewellery wardrobes. If we do not have something as basic as chains, which are also components for bracelets and necklaces, just imagine what else we require and how vast the opportunities are,” she noted. The Philippines needs everything from a one-gram gold ring to luxurious design-led bespoke pieces, she continued. “That is the scale of the prospects that exist in the Philippines,” Florencio said, adding that imports of finished jewellery are subject to 20 per cent excise tax. Gold haven While the Philippines presents growth avenues for suppliers, Laos and Cambodia offer different dynamics with potential for both imports and exports. With smaller Cambodia International Gems & Jewellery Fair 2025 Hidden gems across Southeast Asia’s jewellery landscape present compelling propositions through competitive pricing, technical prowess and burgeoning export capabilities. 东南亚多国的珠宝行业以其非凡的 价格竞争力、高超技术与出口能力，蕴藏无比的潜能与机遇。 Glowing prospects in SOUTHEAST ASIA’S jewellery markets 东南亚珠宝市场如日方升 | Olivia Quiniquini 程爱莉 |
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