This month’s Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair draws buyers from around the globe

When Joe Sengul sets up his booth at the upcoming Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, his showcases will be full of fashion-forward jewels. “Buyers are very into floral and geometric styles with lots of color, yellow and rose gold, and diamonds,” says the president of New York City–based House of Baguettes.

The annual fair, which draws the bulk of its buyers from China and India, takes over the AsiaWorld–Expo Sept. 15–19, and the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Sept. 17–21. Sengul is feeling optimistic, but ­experience has taught him to temper his expectations.

“JCK Las Vegas was—unexpectedly—better than I thought it would be, considering that sales in the first few months of the year were on the softer side,” he says. Sales at the Hong Kong fair “have fluctuated in the past two years—and we’ve only exhibited for four years—so we’re not exactly sure what to expect.”

Regardless, he’ll be prepared with showstoppers like Buddhist prayer beads with 100 cts. t.w. black diamonds that could appeal to any number of the show’s international buyers.

Los Angeles–based Herman Guldag, owner of Aspery and Guldag, is exhibiting for his second year. He has four wholesale accounts in China as well as a distributor in Shanghai, and he’s bringing styles designed for Americans, not Chinese. “They like the Western look,” Guldag says. Expect classic pendant necklaces on sporty handmade round-link chains with pavé diamond centers.

Meanwhile, Sonny Sethi’s pearl-focused offerings, including some choice golden and conch pearls, are designed to appeal to buyers from China, Taiwan, Japan, Europe, and the United States. “We expect a buyer from Taiwan for a triple-row conch necklace,” says the CEO of New York City’s Tara & Sons. “In the last few shows, the Chinese market has picked up greatly for this category…and for golden pearls because of high demand.”