Anticipation and excitement is building on all fronts for Jewellery & Gem WORLD – Asia’s biggest B2B jewellery and gemstone sourcing event of the year, show organiser Informa Markets Jewellery and industry representatives announced at a virtual press conference today.
The iconic show, previously known as the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, is temporarily relocating from Hong Kong to Singapore from 27 to 30 September to make the event as accessible as possible to international exhibitors and visitors. Unlike Hong Kong, which still requires mandatory quarantine for inbound travellers, Singapore allows fully vaccinated visitors to enter the country without pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests and quarantine.
The one-off venue change has received overwhelming support from exhibitors. Due to increased demand for exhibition space, the fair has added 5,000 square metres to the reserved gross floor area at the Singapore EXPO, taking the show to 35,000 square metres.
Prior to the Singapore event, Informa will stage a special-edition fair in Hong Kong from 16 to 19 September catering to local trade buyers and jewellery lovers. The full-scale version of JGW will return to Hong Kong in September 2023.
Grand reunion
The one-off venue change may be unprecedented but what was most striking was the strong support for the fair by the industry through the participation of about 1,000 exhibitors from nearly 30 countries and regions, and the confirmed attendance of international buyers responsible for jewellery and gemstone sourcing.
“Bringing the community together after nearly three years of being apart, JGW Singapore is offering suppliers and professional buyers a fresh start as they gather to gain business insights and inspiration, and explore real opportunities for long-term partnerships,” said David Bondi, Senior Vice President of Informa Markets in Asia.
“JGW Singapore wouldn’t be possible without the support of our industry partners, led by the professional buyer community, our valued exhibitors, dynamic industry associations, government agencies, the media and the Government of Singapore. We believe in our industry’s future; more importantly, we believe in our industry stakeholders. Together, let us seize the opportunities emerging in the recovery.”
Joining Informa at the virtual press conference celebrating the industry’s grand reunion in Singapore were Ho Nai Chuen, President of the Singapore Jewellers Association, and Paolo Passuello, President of the Gold & Silver Italian Group.
“With the Hong Kong show being staged in Singapore in September followed by the 2022 F1 Singapore Grand Prix, I am pretty sure the whole hall [of the Singapore EXPO] will be packed with all the interested buyers,” Ho of SJA said.
Passuello added that JGW Singapore has presented Gold & Silver Italian Group members the opportunity to reconnect with their Asia-based customers for the first time since 2019. The consortium represents more than 100 gold and silver jewellers who are among Italy’s export champions.
“That is why we enthusiastically supported the Singapore show from the very beginning,” he said. “We have gathered more than 25 Italian companies that will attend JGW Singapore with the goal of meeting their clients, particularly those who used to go to the Hong Kong shows and whom they haven’t seen in person for nearly three years. Moreover, we look forward to seeing people from the neighbouring countries and gaining a better understanding of how business in our sector has changed in the last three years, and where the new opportunities – if any – are.”
Cheung King Yau, Chairman of the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association (HKJJA), sent a video message expressing support for the Singapore event.
“It takes courage, boldness and vision to bring Jewellery & Gem WORLD to a new destination,” Cheung said. “JGW Singapore may be a new experience for all of us, particularly for the HKJJA members who will be exhibiting at the fair. I am, however, certain that this B2B sourcing event will have the same sense of community and purpose that defines JGW. I also believe that JGW Singapore offers Hong Kong jewellers an incredible opportunity to showcase to the world what they do best: Quality craftsmanship, innovative designs and customer-driven service.”
Taking place at the Singapore EXPO, JGW Singapore will present a wide assortment of goods across all major product categories, including loose diamonds in virtually every quality range; coloured gemstones, from the classic ruby, sapphire and emerald to other exceptional gemstones; and pearls of all varieties – from single gems and matched pairs to strands and loose parcels. Buyers will also have their fill of finished jewellery, in styles spanning one-of-a-kinds, fine and everyday essentials, antique and vintage collections and silver creations. Also not-to-be-missed are resources for lab-grown diamonds, tools and equipment, and technology solutions, among others.
More importantly, buyers will have the chance to connect with the people who bring the industry to life.
Segmented into 20+ show floor destinations for easy navigation, the fair features pavilions representing the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), India, Israel Diamond Institute (IDI), Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye and the US, among others. Also a must-see for retailers, brands and high-net worth buyers are the Premier Pavilion, a space that brings together some of the top names in luxury jewellery and gemstone manufacturing, and distinct product zones.
“We are thrilled to welcome people back to the JGW exhibition floor and in the world’s biggest regional market for fine jewellery and watches – Asia,” said Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery.
“Everyone in the trade is talking about the importance of kickstarting our community’s return to business, and JGW Singapore is our way of doing just that. More than ever, this B2B jewellery marketplace is vital for an industry that thrives on connections, collaboration and creativity.”
Visitor registration is now open at this link. Interested buyers may also subscribe to JGW Singapore eNewsletters here to receive the latest show information.
In addition to Singapore, Informa Markets Jewellery is heading to Thailand this year for Jewellery & Gem ASEAN Bangkok (JGAB), which is debuting from 2 to 5 November at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC). JGAB is a B2B cash-and-carry event that allows buyers from Southeast Asia and beyond to instantly replenish their stocks for the busy Christmas and New Year selling season. The Bangkok fair is positioned as the industry’s last wholesale buying fair of the year.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, preparations are in full swing for JGW Hong Kong Special Edition, which will be held from 16 to 19 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Customised to adapt to Hong Kong’s restrictions on international arrivals and cross-border travel, the sourcing event aims to generate cross-market opportunities and onsite sales for suppliers by opening its doors to jewellery lovers, in addition to its core trade audience comprising wholesalers, retailers and brands.