An international panel of jewellery experts highlighted platinum’s present and distinct advantages of price and technical brilliance at the Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong 2025 trade show.

Presented by Platinum Guild International (PGI) on September 19 as part of the five-day trade show, the event advocated capitalising on platinum’s strong business potential as the cost of gold soars and innovation opens new avenues for expansion into emerging markets and varied product lines.

In a media release, PGI explained that a significant price differential with gold was fuelling the growing global demand for platinum. However, as the panel speakers affirmed, this was far from platinum’s sole advantage.

The role of exploring new consumer segments, developing new technology such as electroforming and novel alloys, and establishing a digital footprint for sourcing were among the factors enhancing the precious metal’s intrinsic strength, resilience and shine, PGI stated.

PGI said its panel was a key draw of the yearly jewellery fair, held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, and this year welcomed the largest representation of platinum jewellery in a decade.

PGI also hosted the Platinum Pavilion, showcasing “cutting-edge” collections by producers in China and India, and co-sponsored ‘Sublime Shine: Metal Innovation in the Art of Jewellery’, a large-scale exhibition detailing the alloy’s achievements in ethical sourcing and technical ingenuity.

Titled 'The Platinum Advantage: Markets, Business and Innovation', the hour-long panel discussion attracted a packed crowd at the Grand Hall Main Stage, including honoured guests Gaetano Cavalieri, president of the World Jewellery Confederation, and Likui Zhang, deputy general secretary of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China.

Moderated by PGI global director of innovation and product development Tai Wong, PGI said the insightful exchange underlined platinum’s value as a priority choice for jewellery manufacturers and suggested strategies to boost platinum portfolios beyond the traditional bridal ring segment and established geographical regions.

Reflecting both the current global surge in platinum’s allure and the industry’s diversity, the panel united industry leaders from Asia, Oceania and America.

It comprised Andy Zhou of Kingli Group in China, Avinash Pahuja of ORO Precious Metals from India, Jason Brimelow of Brimelow Group operating in Australia and Southeast Asia, Josh Helmich of Helmich Luxury Group in the US; and Noriyuki Kamei from Kuwayama Corporation based in Japan.

Speakers noted that platinum was now poised to gain market share in other product areas, particularly men’s jewellery, and was penetrating territories traditionally dominated by gold. Emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East were deemed ripe for investment.

PGI noted that Zhou perceived a shift in focus towards platinum at the fair, spurred by high gold prices. Invigorated by the interest shown in new technology from Japan and Italy adopted by Kingli, he was bullish about the future of platinum exports from China.

Pahuja spoke glowingly of India’s growing appreciation of platinum and outlined compelling new opportunities in Bangladesh and the UAE, with the latter serving as a conduit to supply other markets.

Kamei, similarly, noted the growth potential outside Kuwayama’s home market, especially in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East.

Brimelow concurred, pointing to the historic opportunity to open the platinum market in Southeast Asia, where wearable gold had been preferred but sentiment was now swinging to jewellery for adornment, driven by younger, internationally minded consumers.

The panel also spotlighted the benefits of product diversification.

For example, Kuwayama’s strategy of expanding product offerings beyond chains and bridal rings to men’s and fashion jewellery, and ORO’s move into highly engineered products that include mixed materials, bi-metal and mechanised components are gaining traction and momentum in sales.

Helmich offered insights into the impacts of US trade tariffs on the global jewellery market, noting that industry players had started to diversify their export market beyond the US, such as to Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

To facilitate the transition from gold to platinum, he called for greater understanding of manufacturing advancements and further emphasis at the retail level of platinum’s unique attributes, such as its superiority in holding diamonds.

PGI said the ‘Sublime Shine: Metal Innovation in the Art of Jewellery’ exhibition, which offered evidence of platinum’s beneficial facets, was viewed by more than 900 fair visitors a day.

Underscoring that technological innovation is the key to scaling platinum jewellery production, the 430 m² display featured updates on digital product passports (DPP) and blockchain-based traceability – vital to meet consumers’ demands for transparency and sustainability.

A separate showcase for men’s jewellery also proved popular.

Melding technology and aesthetics, PGI’s Platinum Pavilion presented creations by six innovative producers from China and India: BN Jewellers India; Guangdong Jinbotong Technology Co; Jewelex India; Kingli Jewelry; Kinch Jewelry; and ORO Precious Metals.

PGI said other “platinum powerhouses” from Asia and Europe, including egf - Eduard G Fidel, Kuwayama Corporation, Nagahori Corporation, Schofer Germany and Shenzhen Longjia Jewelry, showed their collections elsewhere at the fair.

Wong served as the panel discussion moderator and spotlighted the acceleration in platinum innovation over the past few years, as well as a segment on product diversification generating new growth.

“We had the largest representation of platinum at the Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong show in a decade and made new connections every day at the show for retailers and manufacturers to enter into platinum production. The advantage of platinum to create new incremental business is front and centre,” said Wong.

“Driven by the increasing price delta with gold, and supported by new technology, platinum is in a strong position to create better business in traditional bridal jewellery, as well as capture new market opportunities with new products for new consumer segments.

“By promoting new technology, product development and education in marketing, PGI collaborates with our global trade partners to enhance profitability and efficiency in the transition of their white metal business to platinum.”