THE 2005 Hong Kong Jewellery and Watch Fair held from September 21 to 25 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre has been a big hit for many exhibitors especially from India. It witnessed strong trading activity with good overall demand for diamonds especially larger stones and larger cents. Excellent makes and over-sizes brought in more premiums. %%The demand for small sizes, hit by rising prices, squeezing margins and declining supply, had left the market on the lurch. Rough speculation eased for smaller goods after DTC’s large sight of approximately $800 million. But prices for large size rough remains speculatively high. This did not hinder movement of far sizes at the Hong Kong Show.

Indian exhibitors and buyers swept the show this year. More than 70% of the buyers were from India. Most retailers from India visited the show, making purchases which sounded alarm bells for the dealers/middlemen who usually providing the products for retailers.%%Buyer traffic were good throughout the first three days of the show although exhibitors were expressing concern over buying levels due to price increases. The largest overseas buyer was the United States followed by Taiwan, Australia, Japan, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines. Wide spectrum of gemstone products from mines and suppliers all over the world, including producing countries Brazil, Sri Lanka, Australia, Myanmar, Mainland China and Polishing Centers of Thailand, Germany, Israel, and India, makers the September fair the biggest gemstone trade event in Asia. %%Green gemstones, including emerald, peridot and the like saw a lot of sales. Most of the exhibitors are regular at Hong Kong, now being considered as the biggest trading hub in the world for jewellery industry. Covering an area of over 60,000 square meters and over 1,950 companies from 45 countries, the show is claimed to be the largest in its 23-year-old history.%%Space limitations at the fair have kept potential exhibitors on the waiting list and those wanting to expand their booth are unable to do so. This has disabled the Hong Kong fair to fully reflect actual market needs at the current venue. There were more than 7,000 buyers pre-registered apart from the regular buyers. There were more than 200 members of the jewellery industry from Asia participating this year and about 41 diamond manufacturers and exporters who formed the Israel pavilion.%%

Friday afternoon (September 23) saw a typhoon warning over Hong Kong, which fortunately moved to a low level wind warning. As the show drew to a close, most exhibitors are pleased with the outcome and all will be returning in 2006. %%A number of seminars were held by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, Signity, DTC, HRD/Antwerp World Diamond Centre, JIE, the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong (GAHK) and council for responsible jewellery practices. These seminars focussed on a wide spectrum of topical issues and provide up-to-date market trends in jewellery designing.%%Besides this, receptions were held by CMP Asia, the organizers of the show and HRD/ Antwerp World Diamond Centre Belgium. A Gala Evening 2005 was held on September 22 at the Grand Ballroom of Grand Hyaat Hotel by Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers’ Association and Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association.