September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair kicked off today

The world’s number one fine jewellery event – the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair (September Fair) opened today at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE). AWE houses the raw materials section of the September Fair. The fine finished jewellery section, meanwhile, will open on 15 September at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Celebrating its 34th edition, the September Fair hosts over 3,600 exhibitors from 55 countries and regions. Fair organiser UBM Asia expects about 58,000 buyers from around the world to create active traffic in the two venues.

Fair Features 2016

- Exhibition space in the two venues totals more than 135,000 square metres.

- Debut of the Myanmar and Portugal Pavilions. The new additions bring to 24 the number of group pavilions in the two venues. The rest of the pavilions are: Antwerp, Brazil, mainland China, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United States, and the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).

- The Fair features the single largest showcase of Hong Kong jewellery. This year, there are over 1,250 Hong Kong companies participating in the two venues, accounting for around 35 percent of the Fair exhibitors.

- The Fair is yet again home to the world’s largest Diamond Pavilion, with around 500 diamond companies, and Asia’s biggest gemstone marketplace, with over 750 gemstone companies participating.

- New exhibitors from Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Slovak Republic (Slovakia), French Polynesia and the Republic of Vanuatu are participating.

- ALROSA, Russia’s leading diamond company and the world’s biggest diamond miner by volume, is hosting its diamond auction at the Fair from 13 to 17 September at AWE. Admission by invitation only.

- Two renowned international pearls auctions, the 68th Robert Wan Tahiti Perles Auction and the 59th Paspaley Pearl Auction, will also be held by invitation for admission during the fair.

- A new programme, called the “Declaration Programme on Exhibits of Natural Diamond”, is being introduced at this edition. Participants in the programme will have on display at their booths a “Declaration Programme on Exhibits of Natural Diamond” poster, which will demonstrate clearly to buyers that diamonds from these exhibitors are natural. This programme provides an easier and quicker way for buyers to make an informed decision when purchasing diamonds. Participants in the programme are members of global diamond trade organisations, including the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, the Antwerp World Diamond Center, Belgium, and the Israel Diamond Institute. The diamond exhibitors will be housed in Halls 5, 7, 9 and 11 at AWE.

- Since June 2012, the Trade Buyer ID has enjoyed warm reception from our esteemed buyers from around the world. Beginning at this edition of the September Fair, holders of the Trade Buyer ID can enjoy up to 25 percent discount on dining privileges at participating restaurants. Buyers simply need to present the Trade Buyer ID to enjoy this privilege.

According to Celine Lau, director of jewellery fairs at UBM Asia, more and more internationally renowned organisations and laboratories are establishing their presence in the China market. “They partner with local authorities to hold seminars, set up scholarships and share knowledge about the latest technologies in the industry. They believe there is room for growth in the China market so they are establishing their brands here through these activities,” Ms Lau said. 

24 buyer delegations from the mainland China are visiting this edition. Overseas delegates from Finland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Russian Federation and Vietnam are also coming.