Hong Kong Gem Fairs 2026 Put Coloured Gemstones at Center Stage

Coloured gemstones have rarely commanded this kind of institutional attention. Informa Markets Jewellery announced that both of its Hong Kong anchor fairs — Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong (JGA) in June and Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) in September — will place coloured gemstones at the centre of their 2026 programming, backed by three dedicated initiatives: ICA Plus, the NextGen Excellence Awards, and the Design Challenge.

The most operationally detailed of the three is ICA Plus, which makes its Hong Kong debut from 19 to 21 September during JGW. Jointly powered by Informa Markets Jewellery and the ICA, the event opens with a Welcome Reception before moving into a formal conference structure designed to bring together ICA members from nearly 50 countries alongside JGW buyers, exhibitors, and industry stakeholders. The explicit ambition is geographic: unlike other ICA gatherings, ICA Plus carries a special focus on Asia, examining how the coloured gemstone trade can adapt to shifting business landscapes and capture demand in China, Southeast Asia, and adjacent markets.

Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs, framed the programming around three priorities. "These events are shining a spotlight on coloured gemstones by addressing three key dimensions of the industry: Unlocking demand opportunities in markets such as China, Southeast Asia and beyond, while exploring how buyers are engaging in innovative and dynamic ways; celebrating design as a powerful medium that underscores the versatility and creative potential of coloured gemstones, and championing the next generation of leaders poised to drive the industry forward. These initiatives serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue, stimulating innovation and collaboration," she said.

The NextGen Excellence Awards and the Design Challenge sit alongside ICA Plus as companion programmes. The NextGen Excellence Awards are positioned to recognise emerging industry leadership, while the Design Challenge foregrounds inclusive jewellery design as a creative argument for coloured stones. Dates and entry criteria for both programmes have not yet been confirmed by the organiser.

For buyers and sourcing professionals, the combined weight of JGA and JGW matters as much as any single programme within them. Both fairs rank among the world's top B2B jewellery sourcing destinations, and the decision to structure 2026 programming explicitly around coloured gemstones signals where Informa Markets Jewellery believes demand is heading. The ICA Plus conference, with its near-50-country membership footprint and Asia-specific brief, is the clearest evidence yet that the trade considers the region's appetite for rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and their kin to be a strategic priority rather than a niche conversation.