International News
Tonnage demand in China for gold jewellery stays tepid, consumer spending on gold jewellery was robust:WGC
In the first two months of 2025, during the Chinese New Year festive season, gold bars, coins and ETFs saw an uptick in demand driven by several factors – such as gold’s global stability as an investment asset & China’s sluggish economic growth coupled with the Yuan’s volatility. While gold jewellery demand also showed some improvement, it remained weak when measured in tonnage.
During the lunar new year period, jewellery stores anticipated higher consumer interest as compared to previous months, according to the World Gold Council.
About 125 tonnes of gold was withdrawn from the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) in January 2025. This represents a 3% rise month-on-month but well below the same period in the previous years, highlighting the soaring gold price’s negative impact on the tonnage of gold jewellery demand.
“Elevated gold prices pushed consumers more towards lightweight pieces. While tonnage demand for gold jewellery may have stayed tepid, consumer spending on gold jewellery was robust,” Roland Wang, China CEO, World Gold Council said. In China, weddings play a notable role in gold sales. However, this year may see the lowest number of marriages take place in China in 10 years and that could negatively affect gold jewellery consumption. “Mass-appeal jewellery products with lower labour charges but finer craftsmanship will continue to attract consumers,” says Wang.
So far, Chinese consumer behaviour towards gold in 2025 mirrors 2024 trends. Up until November 2024, gold reigned as the best-performing investment asset in China, with its RMB (Yuan) value appreciating nearly 28%. Gold thus drew more investors and less jewellery buyers last year. Gold bar and coin investment in the first three quarters of 2024 reached its highest level in 11 years. In contrast, demand for gold jewellery dropped to its lowest level in 14 years.
However, last year total gold consumption in China fell 10% year-on-year. As weak demand was anticipated due to slow economic growth, China imported 14% less gold in 2024 as compared to 2025, and 16% below the pre-Covid five-year average.
To uplift China’s economic condition in 2025, the Chinese government has made consumer spending its topmost priority.In a parliamentary session in Beijing, earlier this month, Chinese Premier Li Qiang promised to vigorously boost domestic consumption as the country set a 5% growth target.
This year, China has raised its budget deficit to 5.66 trillion Yuan ($780 billion) or around 4% of gross domestic product, the highest level in almost 3 decades, according to various news agency reports.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Bloomberg’s median forecast China’s GDP to grow at 4.5% in 2025, year-on-year; economic growth in China, according to the World Gold Council, will be the biggest driver for gold investments and consumption of jewellery.
As an investment asset, bar and coin sales could continue gaining momentum and any gold price adjustment could be considered a good opportunity to enter for investors in 2025.As China looks to navigate through its slow economic growth, it is exploring increased investments in assets that offer stable yields.
A new programme launched earlier in February by the National Financial Regulatory Administration of China allows the country’s insurers to invest 1% of their assets in bullion. Ten insurance firms in China including China Life Insurance Co. will be able to invest their assets in precious metals like physical gold. China is the world’s second largest insurance market, and this pilot project could unlock up to $27.4 billion in investment
DiamondBuzz
Exceptional Platinum Jewelry Designs Win AGTA Spectrum Awards Competition
More than 60 platinum jewellery entries competed for top honours, recognising exceptional craftsmanship, innovative designs and the versatility of platinum across coloured gemstones and pearl jewellery.
Platinum Guild International (PGI), in partnership with the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), is pleased to announce the Platinum Honors winners of the 2026 AGTA Spectrum Awards.
More than 60 platinum jewelry entries were submitted to the Platinum Honors category, which recognizes outstanding uses of platinum in colored gemstone and natural or cultured pearl jewelry across multiple categories, from Evening Wear to Engagement Rings. PGI also traditionally presents an award for Best Use of Platinum and Color.
The AGTA Spectrum Awards competition was held at the Omni Frisco Hotel at the Star in Dallas, where Jenny Luker, President, PGI USA, judged the Platinum Honors category.
“The AGTA Spectrum Awards bring together an extraordinary range of platinum jewelry, and the level of design innovation, technical execution, and artistry is exceptional,” said Luker. “It’s exciting to see so many talented designers exploring the material in different ways, creating intricate, distinctive pieces that showcase the versatility of platinum.”
AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. thanked PGI for its sponsorship of the Spectrum Awards and extended his congratulations to the Platinum Honors winners. “Receiving a Platinum Honors distinction from PGI is one of the industry’s highest achievements,” he said. “We were happy to see Platinum so well represented among the AGTA Spectrum entries, which increased by 21% this year.”
Platinum’s potential for design innovation and technical accomplishment was exemplified by several of this year’s AGTA Spectrum Award winners.
The Best of Show award and 1st Place in Classical Wear was awarded to “Can’t Look Away,” a necklace by Lezlie Slavens of Luxe Fine Jewelry and collaborators. The design features a carved Paraiba tourmaline backed in platinum, suspended from a diamond-accented platinum chain and illuminated by a magnet-activated LED light source.
The Art Deco-inspired “Horus Egyptian Revival” bracelet by Joseph Dardashti, in Platinum with Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds, Diamonds, and Onyx, won 1st Place in the Spectrum Awards’ Evening Wear category and also received a Platinum Honors distinction in the same category.
Jeffrey Bilgore’s Mahenge Spinel and Diamond “Neuvelle Moi et Toi Forever” Platinum ring received the Stuller Color of the Year Award, a new category honoring exceptional interpretations of Stuller’s “Signature Red”, and won 2nd Place in the Spectrum Awards’ Classical category.
The honour of 1st Place in the Bridal category went to Niveet Nagpal of Omi Gems, Inc. for his Platinum ring featuring a 5.32 ct. Paraiba Tourmaline, accented by Tourmaline (1.05 ctw.) and Diamonds (0.69 ctw.).
New entrant Shelby Lichtenstein was awarded 1st Place in Engagement Rings with her Platinum “Something New, Something Blue” ring, featuring a 4.50 ct. blue emerald-cut Zircon accented by Diamonds (0.26 ctw.).
“Because of platinum’s durability, strength, and tensile properties, designers can achieve things that might not be possible with other metals,” said Luker. “Whether it’s intricate micro pavé work or delicate prongs, platinum allows for exceptional precision while ensuring that gemstones remain secure.”
Across all categories of the Spectrum Awards competition, noteworthy platinum jewelry trends included bezel settings in engagement rings, designs that paired platinum with moonstones for a dreamy, elegant white-on-white effect, and brooches for both men and women that incorporated multiple gemstone types in an array of cuts and sizes.
“The level of design this year was incredible,” said Luker. “I was particularly impressed by the innovation and execution. Platinum plays such a wonderful supporting role to gemstones, and that relationship has endured—and will endure—forever.”
AGTA Spectrum – Platinum Guild International (PGI) Platinum Honors
Best Use of Platinum & Color
Roland Krainz, Krainz Creations – Platinum “Ambrosia” necklace featuring Opals accented by Diamonds, Emeralds, Sapphires, and tsavorite Garnets (140.80 ctw.).
Best Use of Platinum Crown
Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. – Platinum “Everest” ring featuring a 9.70 ct. cushion-cut Tanzanite accented by Diamonds (1.67 ctw.).
Bridal Wear
Jeffrey Bilgore, Jeffrey Bilgore, LLC – Platinum “JuneStones for June Brides” necklace featuring a 27.02 ct. blue-sheen oval Moonstone accented by a 7.95 ct. natural conch Pearl, Alexandrites (3.23 ctw.), and Diamonds (10.36 ctw.).
Business/Day Wear
Gabriel Angulo, Pompos Jewelry Corporation – Platinum stretchable ring with titanium springs featuring a 5.42 ct. natural oval cabochon black Opal accented by Diamonds (5.15 ctw.) and Sapphires (3.28 ctw.).
Classical
Eve Streicker, Original Eve Designs, in collaboration with Rohan Agrawal – Platinum “Zellige” brooch featuring marquise-shaped Aquamarines (8.40 ctw.) accented by Diamonds (0.28 ctw.).
Engagement Rings
Underwood Design Team, Underwood’s Fine Jewelers – Platinum ring featuring a 3.66 ct. cushion-shaped Sapphire accented by Diamonds (1.22 ctw.).
Evening Wear
Joseph Dardashti, Joseph Dardashti, Ltd. – Platinum and 18K yellow gold “Horus Egyptian Revival” bracelet featuring Rubies (5.90 ctw.), blue Sapphires (3.75 ctw.), and Emeralds (0.70 ctw.) accented by Diamonds (6.50 ctw.) and Onyx (0.75 ctw.).
Innovative Design
Cari Goldman, Pieces by Cari, LLC, in collaboration with Alexsey Yarnikh – Platinum “Love Spun” ring featuring marquise crystal Opals (2.24 ctw.) accented by Diamonds (1.0 ctw.).
Men’s Wear
Ricardo Basta, E. Eichberg, Inc. – Platinum “Siren’s Relic” ring featuring a 5.35 ct. emerald-cut Zoisite.
These highlights offer a glimpse of the exceptional work recognized in the 2026 AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards. We invite you to explore the complete collection of winning entries at AGTA.org and discover the artistry behind each award.
Many of the winning pieces will be on display during AGTA GemFair Tucson, January 31–February 4, 2027, at the Tucson Convention Center. For AGTA members and the wider trade, it is an opportunity to appreciate the gems and craftsmanship up close, connect with the community behind them and find inspiration for what comes next.
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