ShowBuzz
High Attendance at Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong, but gold prices and tariffs cloud order flow
The Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong show drew strong international attendance this September, reaffirming the city’s status as a global trading hub. Yet exhibitors said soaring gold prices and new tariffs cast a shadow over order volumes.
Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong among the world’s largest jewellery trade events—spanned two venues: the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, focused on finished jewellery, and AsiaWorld-Expo, which showcased diamonds, gemstones, and pearls. Demand was particularly strong for pearls, with Japanese Akoya and Chinese freshwater varieties proving popular with younger buyers.
But trade concerns dominated conversations. A new 50% U.S. tariff on jewellery from India, the world’s largest diamond-cutting hub, has forced manufacturers to rethink supply chains. Some are shifting light operations to Dubai, where exports face a lower 16% U.S. tariff, while others are routing unfinished castings through third countries to reduce duties.
Indian companies maintained a visible presence, with the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council’s pavilion featuring lightweight gold jewellery designed to offset surging bullion costs. Diamond suppliers reported steady demand for larger stones above two carats, particularly fancy shapes.
Hong Kong manufacturers emphasized design innovation and service to counter trade headwinds, with some targeting ASEAN markets for growth. Organizers said visitor numbers rose year-on-year, though several exhibitors noted a lack of U.S. buyers, blaming tariffs for dampening demand.
The show also spotlighted broader trends, from sustainability—through the JWA Sustainability Awards recognizing companies in China, India, Italy, the U.S., and Vietnam—to the rise of livestreaming as a sales channel, particularly in pearls and synthetic diamonds.
Despite mounting challenges, the event underscored Hong Kong’s enduring role as a barometer of global jewellery trade, where economic pressures, shifting consumer tastes, and industry innovation converge.
T.Gold, the leading B2B trade show for jewellery technology by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), will run from January 16th to 20th, 2026, concurrently with Vicenzaoro. The event highlights how advanced machinery is crucial for optimizing costs, especially with rising gold prices, and promoting sustainable production across the gold and jewellery supply chain.
Key Highlights:
- Dates & Location: January 16-20, 2026, at the Vicenza Expo Centre (Hall 9), alongside Vicenzaoro January.
- Focus: Showcase of machinery and technology that enables industrial and artisan producers to optimize raw material costs (e.g., micro-casting, waste recovery) and ensure environmental respect (sustainability).
- IEG’s View (Matteo Farsura): Technology, including additive manufacturing and digitalization, is transforming the sector by increasing company margins and making production more sustainable. IEG is developing a “comprehensive technology agenda” to boost competitiveness globally.
- Exhibitors: 170 companies from 16 countries, with 40% being foreign exhibitors (led by Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, India, and the US).
- Product Sectors: Six main areas (alloy treatment, prototyping, advanced mechanics, laser welding, precious metal recovery, tools) plus cutting-edge fields like 3D printing, additive manufacturing, and advanced automation.
- Made in Italy Leadership (Massimo Poliero, AFEMO): Italian jewellery mechanics is a global leader, generating an estimated €1 billion in turnover, with member companies of AFEMO (Jewellery Manufacturing Machinery Exporters) accounting for about 70% of total exports. Key export markets are Eastern regions (Turkey, India, South-East Asia).
ITALIAN EXHIBITION GROUP’S TECHNOLOGY AGENDA
From September 2026, when the Expo Centre’s new central hall will be fully operational, IEG will also complete its technology agenda. Vicenza will become an international hub for gold and precious metal technology thanks to a second annual edition of T.Gold, which will extend the range of technical content on offer, further enrich the workshop and seminar programme, and provide greater continuity to collaborations with leading technology players. This special agenda, which alternates between T.Gold, Oroarezzo and JGT in Dubai, will be joined every other year by the vertical events Jewellery Technology Forum, which will be back in September 2026, and The Vicenza Symposium, which, after its debut last September with an extremely high international turnout, will return in September 2027.
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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.