HK Show Where have all the Buyers Gone?

Expectations were cautious at the start of this year’s September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, the world’s second largest show of its kind. By the end of the event, this caution proved justified. Results were mixed, with the vast majority of polled exhibitors reporting a quiet show. And, to add to the mix, another show opened in Hong Kong at the same time, the International Gem & Jewellery Festival, held in tents on the Central Harbourfront, not far from the main convention centre.

- Cynthia Unninayar

The 34th edition of the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show was held at the large Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in the Wanchai section of Hong Kong island from September 15 to 18, while the 4th edition of the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show took place at Asia World Expo (AWE) near the airport from September 13 to 16.

According to UBM, the fair’s organiser, the fair included approximately 3,600 exhibitors from 55 nations—less than last year’s numbers. This is perhaps not surprising, given the downward trend over the last year or more in terms of declining numbers of both exhibitors and buyers at the world’s major trade fairs.

Sentiments among the exhibitors I spoke with ran the gamut from disappointment to resignation to moderately happy. As one commented, the show was “solid mediocrity”. Others indicated that while a number of people looked around, very few were serious buyers. But, as is always the case, there were those exhibitors who, thankfully, had a good show, even if they were the minority, according to my anecdotal survey. Of the twin shows, traffic seemed higher at the AWE, especially in the diamond section. Having said that, however, most people still indicated that that show was very slow.

What the show lacked in traffic, exhibitors made up for in terms of creative jewels and gems.

Gorgeous jewels

Jewellery at the main convention centre included not only jewels—from inexpensive man-made jewellery to everyday wearable pieces to multi-million dollar luxury jewels—but also semi-mounts, packaging and related products.