While the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show may be a long haul for most Americans—it was a 15-hour flight for me from New York City—it is a convenient meeting point for many others, from New Zealand to Russia. I met a number of manufacturers this week who don’t exhibit in U.S. shows. So for American retailers: A trip to this fair could mean discovering new inventory, new firms—and, possibly, some good deals for your store. Here are a few fun silver jewelry designs from vendors with inventory that could appeal to Americans.
Llazy Bonez Design, Hong Kong Headed by a Canadian designer, this 7-year-old firm—which doesn’t exhibit at U.S. shows—sells to clients throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Styles are made in silver or brass with a silver plating; motifs are largely gothic- and animal-inspired. (Flaming hearts and bulldogs are among the company’s best sellers.) Inventory comprises more than 300 SKUs. New for the show was a Woodland series of creatures in silver.
Antler necklace and Multi Antler necklace, both in silver; $88 and $271 retail
Deer, Fox, and Rabbit necklaces in silver; $206 each
Dalian R.S. Jewelry, Dalian City, China, pjjewel@hanmail.net This 20-year-old company had some youthful styles with spike and pyramid motifs that could appeal to your entry-level shoppers. The designer is Korean, and the jewelry is made in China. Samples shown are made and priced in rhodium-plated brass, but they can manufacture in silver.
Bangles in rhodium-plated brass and brass, a set of four rings in rhodium-plated brass and brass, and a rhodium-plated brass ring with CZ; $24–$30, $54, and $55
Y & L Limited, Hong Kong This firm—which manufacturers on mainland China but has an office in Hong Kong—is a supplier of cord necklaces and spools of cord to make necklaces. It had some nifty mink fur bracelets (sorry, PETA) with silver clasps retail priced at $120 for 10; a pair of buyers from New Zealand were there the same time I was, placing orders for styles in bright colors. But I wasn’t allowed to snap a photo. In fact, there were signs posted in the booth—and surrounding booths in this section of the show featuring firms from mainland China—saying that photos were prohibited, which I found to be rather ironic since:
A. Y & L and its neighbors, largely cord and gift-box makers, weren’t designer jewelry houses with trademarked styles, and
B. I’ve never seen a jewelry design firm with proprietary styles at a trade show actually post signs saying not to take photos, and these are often the victims of copycat manufacturers who slyly snap camera phone pictures of pieces in booth windows to replicate at overseas companies, many in China.
But, I digress…
Image from designofsignage.com
Patanaanunwong Co., Chiangmai, Thailand This 57-year-old Thai manufacturer sells to American wholesalers. It produces styles in sterling, brass, and bronze, and has a $3,000 minimum buy-in, as well as minimums of at least 20 pieces per SKU ordered. “We have to take big orders because we’re a factory, but this could be a good option for chain stores or independent stores with a few locations,” explains Rudklow Patanaanuwong.
Bangle, cuff, and collar necklace in silver; $285, $54, and $219
Jewelena, Bangkok This 5-year-old manufacturer has a factory in Bangkok, and also sells to U.S. wholesalers. It, too, has a minimum buy-in of $3,000, and asks for orders of at least 30 pieces per SKU. During my visit, a buyer from New Zealand was placing orders for some of the same styles shown. According to general manager Usana Lertpanomwan, the little beaded rings with decorative elements are a big hit with many consumers worldwide.
Silver beaded rings with silver and 14k vermeil decorative elements, silver owl earrings, and a 14k gold vermeil angel necklace; $30, $24, and $12–$15
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