26 | JNA March 2026 PERSPECTIVE 精辟视野 Hong Kong Heng Mei Group Ltd Managing Directors Michael Sze and Judy Shi 香港恒美集团有限公司董事总经理施浩然和施小明 Pearl industry veteran Michael Sze, managing director of Hong Kong Heng Mei Group Ltd, is witnessing evolving dynamics in the trade – from shifting consumer preferences to breakthroughs in production. Founded in 1993, Hong Kong Heng Mei Group Ltd is an established freshwater and saltwater pearl wholesaler. The company likewise offers an extensive range of finished pearl jewellery to international markets. According to Sze, who is also president of the Hong Kong Pearl Association, global demand for pearls regained strong momentum in 2025. Tahitian and golden South Sea pearls performed particularly well, while freshwater pearls continued their steady rise, bolstered by improvements in quality and traceability. “Technological advancements continued to reshape the sector in recent years. China’s highly automated processing – from colour grading to drilling – greatly enhanced efficiency and quality consistency,” explained Sze. He added that beaded freshwater pearls with nuclei, now produced using advanced technology, are expected to drive demand moving forward. Steady demand Sze expects a “stable, measured” market in 2026 amid a cautious global buying sentiment and softer demand from mainland China. Bright spots, however, could support the industry. Sustainability within the pearl sector is emerging as a key growth driver, particularly in North America and Europe, while Hong Kong’s pearl trade is buoyed by international fairs and economic recovery in the Greater Bay Area. Sze also observed that pearls are effectively reaching a broader audience, driven by diminishing gender distinctions in fashion. “More men are embracing pearls as part of their everyday outfit. Pearl jewellery is becoming a true genderneutral fashion statement,” he remarked. Consumer preferences are shifting too. “Unlike in the past when buyers would opt for ostentatious pieces, younger consumers now prefer minimalistic, versatile designs, while high-end clients are drawn to bespoke creations that tell a story,” Sze explained. “These emerging demand trends bode well for the future of the pearl industry.” Global demand for pearls remains strong, with growth fuelled by new trends and improving fundamentals. 在新风潮冒起和基本因素改善共同推动下，全球珍珠将展现出强劲的增长韧性。 资深珍珠行业专家、香港恒美集团有限公司董事总 经理施浩然见证了珍珠行业格局的演变，从消费 者偏好的转变，以至生产技术的突破。 恒美集团成立于1993年，是业内知名的淡水珍珠与海 水珍珠批发商，同时亦涵盖多种设计风格的珍珠成品首饰。 身兼香港珍珠商会会长的施浩然指出，2025年全球珍 珠需求持续回暖。其中，大溪地珍珠和南洋金珠表现尤为亮 眼，而淡水珍珠则在品质提升与溯源技术推动下稳步发展。 施浩然解释道：“近年来技术革新持续重塑行业格局。中 国的珍珠加工技术已迈向高度自动化与机械化，从珍珠的 颜色分类到钻孔等工序，均已由机器高效完成。这显著提升 了生产效率与标准化水平，是近年行业内的重要发展。” 他补充指，采用先进技术培育的有核淡水珍珠，更是未 来的重要趋势。 需求稳健中见机遇 施浩然预计，在买家转向谨慎采购和中国内地需求疲软 的影响下，2026年全球珍珠市场整体表现将趋于平稳。 尽管如此，行业仍有亮点支撑：现今消费者特别重视珍 珠产业中的永续发展，特别是北美和欧洲市场，他们偏好可 持续的珍珠首饰；而中国香港的珍珠贸易受益于国际展会 及大湾区经济复苏的提振。 施浩然还观察到随着时尚界性别界限渐渐淡化，珍珠正 有效触达更广泛的受众群体。他说：“越来越多男性也将珍 珠融入日常造型，佩戴珍珠已成为男女皆宜的时尚潮流。” 施浩然指消费者心理也有所转变，“过去，消费者偏爱炫 耀式消费。如今年轻一代更欣赏简约百搭、多功能的设计，而 高端买家则更看重产品的个性化及其背后的故事。这些新需 求预示着市场仍充满机遇，我对珍珠行业的前景保持乐观。” Upbeat prospects for PEARLS 珍珠行业前景向好 Freshwater pearl necklace by Hong Kong Heng Mei Group Ltd 淡水珍珠项链 ， 香港恒美集团有限公司出品
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