While official attendance figures aren’t available from Informa Markets at the time of publication, foot traffic was visibly reduced, and reports from exhibitors reflected this.
The explanation for the reduction in attendance is multifaceted. The general state of the global economy contrasts with the impact of a real estate crisis in China, evolving customs regulations, and a typhoon in Shanghai.
That said, it was an event that offered valuable insight into evolving trends within the broader jewellery industry.
Pearls in the spotlight
Organiser Informa Markets launched the ORIENT Odyssey on 18 September. This fascinating tour through the intricate world of pearls takes visitors from ‘shell to market’.
The exhibition showcased oysters' production of pearls, offered insights into the world’s various pearl grading systems, and highlighted the evolving science of pearl cultivation.
Live demonstrations of pearls extracted from oysters captivated onlookers, while jewellery designers hosted sessions discussing jewellery styling. Additionally, artist Victor Tuzlukov performed pearl faceting techniques.
One of the major supporters of the exhibition was Australia’s Paspaley Pearling Company. Otherwise swamped with curious visitors, executive director Michael Bracher found a few spare minutes to explain the occasion's significance.
“We were delighted to offer an Australian perspective on pearls and pearl jewellery. It was an excellent opportunity to display the incredible natural beauty that Australia is capable of producing,” he told Jeweller.
“In terms of our stand specifically, we wanted a place where people could come to learn more about the value proposition of the industry in Australia and the rich growing history of our business.”
Located in the fine jewellery pavilion, Autore Pearls was also a supporter of the exhibition. General manager of jewellery sales and operations Justin Schwarz offered an up-close look at some of the company’s finest creations, including the award-winning Enchantress.
“We’ve been very busy. Autore is renowned for offering the finest quality pearls, and we have seen that reflected in the interactions and feedback we’ve had with buyers,” he said.
“One of the most valuable aspects of shows such as this is educating visitors on the value of Australian pearls.”
He added: “It’s a great chance to build rapport and highlight how special these natural wonders are. This isn’t just limited to buyers from overseas, too; we find that Aussies still have plenty to learn.”
Opal opulence
At the AsiaWorld-Expo, opal jewellery from Australian exhibitors once again captivated onlookers. The increasing passion for opal jewellery abroad has been well-documented in recent years.
At the Black Opal Direct stand, CEO Ruth Benjamin-Thomas said that it was a valuable learning experience for exhibitors and visitors.
“The interest is still extremely high; however, I think people are more hesitant to purchase for a few different reasons. You can see that people are ‘hanging back’ a little to see how things play out, most likely attempting to judge pricing,” she explained.
“There’s a bit of shock around the prices; I think quite a few buyers have been surprised at what they’ve discovered.”
In terms of supply, the opal industry has faced many issues in recent years, including an ageing workforce and issues with government regulations.
It’s also always worth noting that, generally speaking, opal is extremely difficult to find!
“There’s an increasing amount of transparency and information around the market, which I think is impacting prices,” she continued.
“Speaking quite simply, good material is harder and harder to get, and there’s a great deal of competition for opal.”
Feeling fancy?
Whether because of their extreme rarity, eye-popping prices, or captivating natural beauty, fancy colour diamonds are always sure to capture attention.
Mumbai-based Venus Jewel showcased a flawless 16.92-carat vivid yellow diamond, which has been named Yellow Lava.
In the fine jewellery pavilion, LJ West showcased a range of jewellery designed to highlight the natural beauty of these stones.
“The first day was much busier than we anticipated. It goes without saying that our type of product isn’t the kind of thing you make an ‘instant’ purchase on; it requires deliberation. For us, this is about building connections and contacts,” William Gant said.
“We’ve seen some serious foot traffic through our section specifically. People are eager to look at beautiful jewellery, which you’ll find here.”
Gant agreed with other exhibitors about the notable decline in visitors from China; however, they said the diversity of global visitors was pleasing.
“We’ve seen a very international crowd, including a few Australians, which I think is pleasing. We’ve spoken to buyers from the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, which is terrific.”
Emerging technology
Many visitors to Hong Kong are eager to see the latest technological innovations, which, if successful, may revolutionise their businesses in the years to come.
Proud to showcase his stand was founder Harshil Shah of Diamonds On Call, which has some significant plans for the year ahead, including introducing jewellery to its online platform.
During a busy day on the show floor, Shah had an important message for the broader industry.
“The jewellery industry is moving in a positive direction despite the negative sentiment around diamonds specifically,” he explained.
“Times are changing, and consumers are making choices that reflect the evolution of the market; however, I strongly feel that there’s nothing to worry about regarding the industry's future.”
• Up next for Informa Markets is Jewellery and Gem Asia Hong Kong, returning to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 19-22 June 2025.
The Jewellery and Gem World Hong Kong highlights
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