The world’s number one fine jewellery event – the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair (September Fair) is beginning today at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE).

AWE houses the raw materials section of the September Fair. The fine finished jewellery section, meanwhile, will open on 15th 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.

Asian consumer confidence remains steady

Despite challenging economic conditions in some parts of the world, consumer confidence in China and the rest of Asia remains steady, according to the Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions, Markets. The region’s confidence score reached or exceeded 100 points in the second quarter of 2016, the survey said. Countries surveyed in Asia included the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Pakistan and Thailand.

The continued healthy growth of the Asian market, particularly China, is not lost on players in the jewellery industry. 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.

September Fair plays key role

Over the last decade, the September Fair has served as a bridge to tap into China’s lucrative market. As the preeminent jewellery fair for the industry, the Fair provides the greatest product range not only for Chinese buyers but also for buyers from around the world. “The Fair is not only an effective marketplace and platform to tap into the Asian markets, but also functions as a ‘filter’ as only serious buyers and exhibitors will attend world-class fairs like the September Fair. A fair of this calibre offers tremendous value to both exhibitors and buyers. It also provides easy access to some of the industry’s most reputable vendors, thus helping the industry to continue to grow,” said Ms Lau.

To bring in more buyers from robust markets, UBM Asia has enhanced visitor promotion in those markets. As a result, 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.

Must-Visit: Signature Theme Pavilions

The Hong Kong Premier Pavilion features around 30 of the city’s outstanding jewellery companies and their brands. Visitors are sure to be captivated by the exquisitely crafted jewellery collections that reflect the very best of Hong Kong’s jewellery manufacturing traditions. The pavilion is located in Halls 1D & E of HKCEC.

The International Premier Pavilion is a destination for the trendy. Located in Halls 3B & C of HKCEC, the pavilion houses a select group of over 50 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, namely Belgium, mainland China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Russian Federation, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

The Fine Design Pavilion hosts 76 internationally renowned jewellers in the Grand Hall of HKCEC. They will showcase exquisite jewellery set with luxurious and rare diamonds, gemstones and pearls, as well as top-quality bejewelled watches, invaluable masterpieces, and exclusive one-offs from around the world.

The Fine Gem Pavilion is dedicated to the world’s finest loose diamonds, pearls and gemstones. Located in Hall 9 of AWE, 54 esteemed exhibitors will showcase a wide variety of high-quality loose gems.