Asia's largest jewelry exhibition Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2010 was held in the main exhibition center in Hong Kong from 14 to 20 September 2010. According to its organizers, the exhibition was attended by over 3,200 exhibitors from 45 countries and attracted over 40,000 prospect buyers from 140 countries. The foot traffic to the 23rd September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair became an all-time record for the show. The jewellery exhibition spanned over an area of 120,000 square meters. The impressive scale of the exhibition proves that Hong Kong is not at all averse to claim itself as the jewelry capital of the world.
As it was noted in the blogosphere, the first day of the exhibition was marked by the arrest of two persons suspected of stealing jewelry worth $1 million, including a 7-carat diamond estimated at $450,000 and an emerald necklace priced at $500,000. The stolen jewels were safely returned to their owners by the Hong Kong police.
According to the organizers’ concept, the exhibition was divided into two parts: jewelry raw materials (diamonds, pearls and gemstones), equipment and packaging were displayed at the exhibition complex hosted by the Hong Kong International Airport, while finished jewelry items were showcased at the main exhibition center in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre). This year's exhibition sparkled with luxury, glistening with all kind of gem lights and bedazzling visitors by magnificent forms of massive brooches, mega rings and multi-gem necklaces, all united in one composition.
It is quite likely that judging by the outcome of Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2010 it is possible to talk about inception and development of a new style, Asian Baroque, the main features of which are magnificence, solemnity, splendor and vibrant life-affirming mix. The bold contrasts in scale, convergence of reality and fantasy, imagination-capturing size and blending of different styles - everything was set up as if on purpose to glorify and promote the strength and power of a new class of Chinese elite.
Senior industry analyst at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Russel Shor, notes that it’s not just men presenting gems to women. He always sees a lot of single Chinese females buying diamonds for themselves. “If they have jobs, they can spend their money on jewelry and clothes. You go to Shanghai and you can see where the money’s going,” he says.
This trend is likely well aware, and Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), which on the Hong Kong and Mainland China has big plans. "About 86 Antwerp diamond companies presented their products at the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion at the September exhibition of jewelry and precious stones in Hong Kong, which enabled it to become the largest national pavilion at the largest jewelry show in Asia," PR Newswire Asia reported.
AWDC was an official sponsor of the opening reception at the Hong Kong exhibition. On September 16, AWDC Senior Manager Marketing Mia De Dooy spoke about Hong Kong and Mainland China prospects at a press conference staged by the show organizers at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
“Antwerp and China are perfectly matched partners. China has a booming consumer market and a burning ambition to participate on all levels of the diamond trade, while Antwerp brings over five centuries of diamond trading heritage, leadership and expertise to the table - making a powerful combination that augurs well for the future," the AWDC marketing head said.
However, the organizers, one of the key exhibition operators - UBM ASIA, did not rest on the laurels of the growing Chinese economy and invested considerable funds into disseminating information about the exhibition to attract more participants and buyers from around the world. Those invited included 233 corporate and private buyers from India, Israel, Iran, Russia, South Korea, USA, Vietnam and other countries. In close cooperation with jewelry industry associations at the level of Chinese provinces there were organized 9 groups consisting of 275 buyers from large retail companies who visited the fair.
Olga Patseva, editor of the Asian Bureau Rough & Polished in Shanghai
