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| The annual dragon dance that opens the fair. |
HONG KONG — It’s the largest fine jewelry tradeshow in the world and it has become the most important event for the worldwide jewelry industry. The
September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair lacks the product introductions, fashion trends and the glitz and glamor of Baselworld and the Las Vegas jewelry shows. But when it comes to the business of buying and selling, there's nothing that compares.
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| Etienne Perret's ceramic jewelry. |
“This is the meats and potatoes that fill jewelry store shelves all over the world,” said U.S.-based independent jewelry designer, Etienne Perret, a longtime buyer at the show who was exhibiting for the first time.
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| My Hong Kong friend Payal Shah, owner of L'Dezen Jewellery showing her diamond earrings. |
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In some ways it’s a difficult show to cover. Few exhibitors are interested in discussing their products or the jewelry business in general. I spent much of my time arguing with exhibitors about taking pictures of their products. One threatened to call security even though I was authorized to take photos.
I managed to take plenty of pictures anyway as well as get a good overview of the enormity and importance of the show and how Asia has become the most important jewelry market in the world. Stories that I wrote about the show (which runs till September 25) can be read on the
JewelleryNetAsia website. There will be more stories appearing on Forbes.com and the
Financial Times newspaper. For my site, I decided to take a more visual approach by presenting a pictorial of the show. Enjoy.
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| Tara and Sons pearl display. |
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| Jeweled sculpture by Stone Young, owner of Handosy Jewelry Co. of Guangzhou, China. He said it was inspired by Noah's Ark. |
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| Colored gemstone jewelry from Chinese retailer Enzo. |
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| Jewelry from Stefan Hafner |
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| Coral sculptures by Lucoral's of Taiwan. |
