Diamonds & gems sparkle at HK jewelry show

（CNTV）  14:05, December 04, 2012

China remains Asia's biggest emerging market for jewelry, but Vietnam and Myanmar are now showing signs of growth according to experts at the International Jewelry Fair in Hong Kong. Diamonds and white jewelry also remain hugely popular in South East Asia.

2012 was the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese lunar calendar, and this 20,000 US Dollar gold dragon-shaped ring is an attractive buy for visitors to the Hong Kong 20th International Jewelry Manufacturer’s show.

It’s one of the designs inspired by traditional Chinese features, which are proving popular this year as buyers hunt for unique jewelry y products.

Traditional sparkling diamonds and elegant gems are always popular. But facing the gloomy economy in the West and the relatively weak purchasing power in the US and Europe, jewelers are gradually shifting their focus to the emerging Chinese and South East Asian markets.

Iris Kan, owner of Golden Master Jewelry, said, "The markets in the US and Europe are almost saturated. Although the Chinese market is blooming, our focus is not on Chinese mainland but on the South East Asian market. The demand is very great in many emerging countries like Vietnam and Myanmar. We have lots of clients there."

Kan added that Asian customers favor more traditional designs, and they particularly like diamonds.

And diamonds form a large chunk of what’s on offer. This green diamond ring goes for 7-thousand US Dollars, while the necklace fetches 17-thousand US Dollars. One of the most coveted pieces is this red diamond necklace which costs 52-thousand US Dollars.

Over 560 exhibitors from 20 countries and regions are showing their creations here. The exhibition, which is expected to attract 25-thousand visitors, ends on Sunday.