International News
Hong Kong’s luxury retail sector, incl jewellery, sustains growth
Jewellery sales rise 3.6% year-on-year, driven by inbound tourism and higher gold prices.
Hong Kong’s hard-luxury retail sector, particularly jewellery, sustained growth in November 2025 amid broader economic recovery. Jewellery, watches, clocks, and valuable gifts sales rose 3.6% year-on-year to HKD 4.64 billion ($595.5 million), marking the seventh consecutive monthly advance. This performance aligns with overall retail sales climbing 6.5% to HKD 33.7 billion.
Jewellery sector revenue reached HKD 4,641 million in November, up from prior months, driven by robust inbound tourism and elevated gold product margins amid rising prices. Volume indices showed a -5.9% dip in some reports, but value growth persisted due to premium pricing. For January-November 2025, cumulative hard-luxury sales edged up 0.7% to HKD 47.01 billion.
Strong visitor arrivals boosted luxury demand, complementing local consumption sentiment improvements from economic expansion. Gold price climbs enhanced retailer margins, supporting jewellery sales resilience despite varied volume trends. Government notes vibrant inbound tourism will continue aiding retail, including jewellery outlets.
Total retail value hit HKD 33,730 million, with online sales surging 28.4% to 11.2% of total. Other categories like electrical goods (+38.6%) outperformed, while fuels declined. Year-to-date retail grew 0.4% to HKD 345.43 billion.
International News
De Beers Assumes 100% Control Of Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine
A Global Slump In Diamond Demand Hit The Company Hard. Its Revenue Dropped 42% In 2025, and Average Diamond Prices Plummete
De Beers is taking 100% control of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Its partner, Mountain Province Diamonds, was facing major financial trouble and agreed to hand over its 49% share in exchange for being cleared of all its debts to De Beers.
Here is why Mountain Province ran into trouble:
Falling Diamond Prices: A global slump in diamond demand hit the company hard. Its revenue dropped 42% in 2025, and average diamond prices plummeted—falling to just $36 per carat in the second quarter.
Massive Debt: Mountain Province was struggling to pay back tens of millions of dollars in short-term loans. Ratings agency S&P warning that the company was at high risk of defaulting on its debts.
Cost-Cutting and Emergency Funds: To stay afloat, the company paused expansion plans at the mine, delayed payments into environmental cleanup funds, and sold future diamond sales rights to major investor Dermot Desmond (an Irish billionaire) for quick cash.
Despite selling twice as many diamonds recently, prices were too low to cover their debts.
CEO Jonathan Comerford explained that trade tariffs and Middle East conflicts crushed diamond prices, leaving handing over their share of the mine as the best option to cancel liabilities and secure local jobs.
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