IN PICTURES: Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show 2018

The fifth Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), has entered its third day out of five at the AsiaWorld-Expo. This year’s show gathers a record 1,970 exhibitors from 40 countries and regions, including new exhibitors from Belize and Turkey, to showcase an assortment of jewellery raw materials including exquisite diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones as well as pearls to international buyers. The 35th Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, which features finished jewellery products, also begins today, running from 1 to 5 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The two shows will feature more than 4,550 exhibitors from 52 countries and regions, forming what the organisers call “the world’s largest jewellery marketplace”. “This year’s Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show continues to attract jewellers, trade associations and organisations from around the world. The participation of exhibitors is the highest on record. It is a testament to Hong Kong’s standing as a key sourcing platform for the global jewellery industry,” said Benjamin Chau, deputy executive director of the HKTDC. “The improving global economic conditions have led to a steady rebound in overall jewellery exports. There is also an increasing demand for product diversity,” he added. To facilitate buyers to source jewellery raw materials, the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show has set up thematic zones for different product categories. The Hall of Fine Diamonds showcases quality diamonds in a variety of sizes, grades and colours. Exhibits include an enthralling two-carat natural green diamond presented by US exhibitor Rio Diamond MFG Corp (Booth: 2CON-21); a 28-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond ring from Scarselli Diamonds Inc (Booth: 2CON-25); a top-quality argyle pink diamond from Australia, which is valued at more than HK$7 million, featured by Rachminov Diamonds 1891, Asia Ltd (Booth: 2-Q17); and a radiant shape, natural fancy colour polished diamond from Hong Kong exhibitor Novel Collection Ltd (Booth: 2-Q01). Another zone, Treasures of Nature, is devoted to precious and semi-precious coloured gems of different origins. Exhibits include a set of Colombian emerald jewellery, valued at more than HK$23.4 million, showcased by Hong Kong exhibitor Hatta New World Company Limited (Booth: 1-B05); a Sri Lankan chrysoberyl cat's eye stone, that weighs over 100 carats and is valued at more than HK$20 million, from Wilds Company Limited (Booth: 1-B11); a spinel snake presented by German exhibitor Paul Wild (Booth: 1-B01); a cushion vivid pink sapphire from US exhibitor Shaun Gems International (Booth: 1-A16); a purplish-red spinel from Swiss exhibitor ALine GmbH (Booth: 1-C16); and neon mint tourmalines from Ukrainian exhibitor Vitalii Golokoz, Pte (Booth: 1-A27). With Hong Kong becoming a major trading and distribution centre for pearls, the Treasures of Ocean zone is set up to showcase quality pearls from Tahiti, the South Seas, Japan, the Chinese mainland, the Caribbean and other pearl-producing regions. Another highlight zone Rough Stones & Minerals has also returned to the Show to present unpolished and uncut precious stones. As a major global sourcing platform for jewellery, this year’s Show features 22 group pavilions of countries and trade organisations, representing Australia, the Chinese mainland, Germany, Italy, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United States; and prominent trade organisations such as the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), the International Colored Gemstone Association and the Tanzanite Foundation. The HKTDC organised 115 mainland and overseas buying missions comprising over 9,800 buyers from more than 8,000 companies from 75 countries and regions to visit the shows.