On March 4, 2026, the awards ceremony for the Hong Kong International Fashion Chuk Kam Jewellery Design Competition was grandly held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, during the 2026 Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
This international competition is organized by the Jewellers’ and Goldsmiths’ Association of Hong Kong Ltd. (JGAHK), sponsored by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the World Gold Council (WGC), and co-organized by the Shenzhen Gold Jewelry Association. Representatives from jewelry associations, industry leaders, design elites from Hong Kong and mainland China, and international guests gathered to witness the innovative results of the fusion of Chuk Kam (Cantonese for Pure Gold) craftsmanship and international design language.
This year’s competition, themed “Golden New Ideas: Cultural Fusion and Innovation on the New Silk Road,” focused on the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative, targeting key markets such as ASEAN and Gulf countries, with the younger generation as the core audience. Designers were encouraged to integrate cultural elements from ASEAN and Gulf countries, building a cross-cultural expression system on the traditional value of gold. The competition was not just a design contest but also an important platform for showcasing and exchanging China’s Hard Pure Gold technology and high-quality gold jewelry products in the international market, injecting new momentum into industry technology upgrades, cultural innovation, and global market expansion.
Design Gives Gold New Life in the Modern Era
In his opening speech, Mr. Kent Wong (Wong Siu Kee), Chairman of the Jewellers’ and Goldsmiths’ Association of Hong Kong Ltd. (JGAHK), stated that gold, as an important cultural symbol transcending regions and generations, has always represented nobility and enduring value in human civilization. Design is the key to injecting contemporary vitality into this traditional material. He pointed out that this year’s design competition, themed “Golden New Ideas: Cultural Fusion and Innovation on the New Silk Road,” aims to promote new ways of expressing gold jewelry across different cultures through design, fostering cultural exchange and industry innovation. The competition brought together design talents from various regions, showcasing not only exquisite craftsmanship but also integrating cultural heritage, contemporary aesthetics, and personal expression into their works.
Mr. Wong expressed hope that the competition would encourage more design talents to engage in gold jewelry creation, using modern design to drive the development of traditional craftsmanship, transforming gold jewelry into wearable art and cultural carriers.
Technological Innovation Unlocking the Design Potential of Hard Pure Gold
This was the first competition that Hard Pure Gold was designated as a recommended design material.
Gold, as a cultural carrier transcending borders, has timeless value and charm. The technological innovation of China’s gold industry is injecting new vitality into this traditional material. Hard Pure Gold, as a significant technological breakthrough in China’s gold industry in recent years, combines 3D and 5D Hard Pure Gold techniques, significantly enhancing structural hardness and three-dimensional performance while maintaining 24K gold purity. Its lightweight and high-strength characteristics effectively overcome the limitations of traditional gold jewelry, such as heaviness and deformation, enabling gold to support more complex, refined, and contemporary aesthetic design structures.
With technological support, gold achieves hollow three-dimensional construction, precise structural connections, and dynamic visual layers, providing designers with broader creative space. Meanwhile, the thriving cultural and creative industries inject diverse design concepts into Hard Pure Gold products, revitalizing traditional cultural elements like “ancient gold” with contemporary expressions. Hard Pure Gold is not just a material upgrade but also an important carrier for upgrading design language.
Cultural Integration Opening Cross-Cultural Expression for Hard Pure Gold
Building on technological innovation, this year’s competition established “cultural integration” as the core direction of creation. Designers incorporated elements such as Middle Eastern crescent patterns, Indian peacock totems, and Southeast Asian cultural symbols into Hard Pure Gold structures, presenting lighter, more three-dimensional, and contemporary aesthetic visual expressions while preserving cultural symbolism.
This cross-cultural design approach establishes a new aesthetic communication method for Chinese Hard Pure Gold to enter Middle Eastern and Indian markets. In these markets, gold is not only a symbol of wealth but also an important carrier for weddings, festivals, and identity recognition. With structural innovation and wearing comfort, Hard Pure Gold enhances cultural expression while improving practicality and market adaptability. Design thus becomes an important bridge connecting different cultural contexts and consumption structures.
Four Major Categories Building a Comprehensive Evaluation System
Focusing on the dual goals of technological expression and market value, this year’s competition established four professional categories:
• Chuk Kam Inlay (including Hard Pure Gold)>HKD50,000
• Chuk Kam Inlay (including Hard Pure Gold) <HKD50,000
• Chuk Kam (including Hard pure gold) > 30g
•Chuk Kam (including Hard pure gold) < 30g
The four categories systematically evaluate structural innovation, craftsmanship completion, weight control, and market value, forming a comprehensive evaluation system covering different price and weight ranges, promoting a balance between cultural expression and commercial logic in Hard Pure Gold design.
Chuk Kam Inlay (including Hard pure gold)>HKD50,000
Champion
Craftsmanship Award
Sharing peace with one heart【同心共安】
Designer: Wang Zi Ting
Manufacturer: Shenzhen Cuilu Jewelry Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Design concept:
“Connected by the Silk Road, sharing peace with one heart” directly echoes the “cultural integration” theme of the competition. Drawing on the traditional “peace knot” and its core implication of “fulfilled and peaceful” wishes, the design conveys the amicable friendship between China and ASEAN, united through their cultures. It further emphasises that both sides share a common belief in safeguarding regional peace. The warmth and timelessness of chuk kam not only reaffirm the “long-standing guardianship” symbolised by the peace knot but also represent the collaboration between China and ASEAN is as strong and as reliable as gold, and that both parties are benefiting through cultural integration.
Chuk Kam Inlay (including Hard pure gold) >HKD50.000
Merit Award
Braving winds and waves【乘風破浪】
Designer: Li Kwok Hing
Manufacturer: Shenzhen Xingguangda Jewelry Industrial Company Ltd
This necklace tells the story of the Yellow River, which has been flowing with power for thousands of years! The gold waves allude to evoke the majestic veins of the mother river, while the mandarin collar of qipao highlights the strengths of the East. The diamond is the flower of culture blooming at the crest of the waves, bearing witness to the splendid integration of Chinese and foreign cultures. Braving winds and waves, the design reflects our cultural confidence and our pioneering spirit in the new era. We welcome the dawn of a new era and venture into the ocean beneath a star-lit sky. May the love and power of the Yellow River sparkle on the world stage!
Chuk Kam Inlay (including Hard pure gold) >HKD50,000
Merit Award
Golden butterfly on the Silk Road【金蝶絲路】
Designer: Yang Yi
Manufacturer: Shenzhen Innoki Jewelry Culture Creative Co., Ltd
The butterfly is an important cultural element in ASEAN and Gulf countries. The design incorporates a radiant butterfly to symbolise the spiritual pursuit for “transformation and new lief” among Gulf countries. The ruby in the middle sparkles like the bright and hot sun in a Gulf desert. The green beaded chain evokes the vivacity of an oasis along the Silk Road. The interplay of gold and gemstones highlight the perseverance in nature and the pioneering spirit of Gulf civilisations. The collision of eastern craftsmanship and Gulf civilisations offers a unique interpretation of the cultural integration and innovation along the new Silk Road.
Chuk Kam Inlay (including Hard pure gold) <HKD50,000
Champion
Highest Sales Potential Award
Sparkles of gravels on the Silk Road【絲路礫光】
Designer: Qiu Lin Jie
Manufacturer: Shenzhen CHJ Jewelry Co., Ltd.
The design is inspired by the deserts and gravels found in Silk Road cities. The gold is shaped into irregular gravels to symbolise the marks of resilience left by long journeys. Diamonds are likened to rain that nurtures the earth. They are intertwined with stones and sand, demonstrating that adversity in life – similar to the harsh desert – can still offer opportunities for exchange and collaboration, just as rain invigorates life. These represent a resilient spirit to unite and to weather through obstacles. Eventually, everyone can sparkle like gravels and diamonds, emitting radiance by overcoming difficulties.
Chuk Kam Inlay (including Hard pure gold)<HKD50,000
Merit Award
An orchestra of written scripts 【文字交響】
Designer: Zheng Yang Sheng
Manufacturer: Shenzhen CHJ Jewelry Co., Ltd.
Written scripts are the most important carriers for cultural exchange. They have profound cultural meanings and convey deep spiritual connotation, and at the same time, maintain the cultural uniqueness of every country. The ear ornament combines the distinctive scripts of Gulf and ASEAN countries along the Belt and Road. Featuring the term “peace” in different written scripts, a Möbius structure is used to form a circle to imply peace, collaboration, co-development, boundlessness and timelessness. At the same time, the product offers a chic way for young people to express their own cultural identities.
Chuk Kam Inlay (including Hard pure gold) <HKD50,000
Merit Award
Peacock feathers – a symbol of shared success 【雀羽共贏】
Designer: Xu Xiu Zhen
Manufacturer: Shenzhen CHJ Jewelry Co., Ltd.
The design is inspired by peacocks, which is a symbol of the arrival of good luck in Southeast Asian cultures. Using traditional techniques of gold filigree and diamond setting, the design presents an abstract expression that highlights the characteristics of peacock feathers, which bring individual feathers to become a whole. It conveys the idea that ASEAN and Gulf countries, while distinct, unite to pursue shared success. True shared success is not merely the allocation of interests, but enabling each participant to recognise their own value through collaboration, fostering long-term co-achievement.
The design is simplistic and chic style appeal to young buyers to purchase it as a fashionable accessory.
Chuk Kam (including Hard pure gold)> 30g
Champion
Golden feathers in mid-air 【金翎淩空】
Designer: Gong Wei Ying
Manufacturer: Shanghai Laofengxiang Co., Ltd.
Design concept:
Inspired by golden feathers, the design vividly captures the moment when the sky is pierced by golden wings. Meticulously crafted from premium chuk kam, the gold surface is manually polished with delicate and parallel lines to create a unique matte texture. The natural feather patterns are vividly rendered, imbuing the piece with profound meaning and a modern artistic flair. The softness and sheen of silk appear under changing light, as if the feathers and wings are always showing the lightness and dynamism of flight.
Chuk Kam (including Hard pure gold) > 30g
Merit Award
Setting sail 【啟航】
Designer: Zhao Yan Min
Manufacturer: Shenzhen Guanhua Jewelry Co. Ltd
Using the sail of a boat as the visual core, the design deconstructs an imagery to reconstruct the skyline of urban architecture, conveying that cities from different civilisations are all setting sails together – joining hands to venture into the ocean to build an integrated culture for future. The warmth and resilience of chuk kam symoblise cities embarking on a voyage to achieve new milestones in development.
Chuk Kam (including Hard pure gold) > 30g
Merit Award
Connectivity 【鏈接】
Designer: Wang Zi Ting
Manufacturer: Lukfook Jewellery
The theme of sending messages via pigeons echoes the close connection and friendship between China and ASEAN. Pigeons have served as ambassadors of communication since ancient times. Carrying people’s thoughts, good wishes and hopes. As exchanges between China and ASEAN deepen, the pigeon symbolise a bridge for communication, representing the ongoing and unwavering maintenance of friendly exchanges, cultural integration and economic collaboration. The use of chuk kam signifies this valuable friendship is everlasting and can withstand the test of time, just like gold.
Chuk Kam (including Hard pure gold) < 30g
Champion
An amazing merry-go-round at a fun fair 【遊園會．旋轉奇境】
Designer: Gong Wei Ying /Li Xiao Ying
Manufacturer: Shanghai Laofengxiang Co., Ltd
The meticulously crafted interactive jewellery collection is inspired by the merry-go-round. Using the gilt technique, the canopy displays magnificent, multi-hued layers. The core mechanical structure supports manual rotation, such that the wooden horses turn gracefully with the wearer’s touch, creating an immersive fairy tale experience. The necklace, the earrings, and other pieces of the collections all feature cleverly designed mechanism. Each turn produces a sparkle of chuk kam and the colourful radiance of gilt.
It is a magical miniature fun fair in the palm of your hand, paying homage to timeless romance and mechanical aesthetics.
Chuk Kam (including Hard pure gold) < 30g
Merit Award
Twin flowers on the Maritime Silk Road 【海絲雙蕊】
Designer: Xie Jia Yu Catherine
Manufacturer: Hong Kong Jewellery Alliance Co., Ltd.
The design is anchored to the theme of the Maritime Silk Road. The twin flowers symbolise the coexistence of Chinese and South Asian civilisations. The piece features engraving techniques from medieval or ancient gold and silverware, creating wave patterns that evoke the grandeur of the original Maritime Silk Road. The twin flowers combine South Asian batik-died flowers with Nyonya bead embroidery, enabling the meeting of two cultures. The strength of the waves and the tenderness of the flowers come together to highlight feminine elegance. The design transforms the value of cultural integration along the Maritime Silk Road into wearable jewellery.
Chuk Kam (including Hard pure gold) < 30g
Merit Award
Unity【大同】
Designer: Li Guang Quan
Manufacturer: Shenzhen Mingfeng Jewelry Ltd.
China is an ancient civilisation with a long and rich history. Chinese porcelains, also known as “china” in English, share their name with the country itself. These porcelains are an integral part of the Silk Road civilisation. Turkey’s Topkapi Palace houses over 12,000 pieces of Chinese porcelains. Yuan dynasty celadons incorporated Arabic scripts, the Persian pigment “Samarra Blue”, imported to China through the Silk Road, combined with the craftsmanship of Jingde County to create the legendary blue-and-white porcelains, which have now become the world’s most recognisable symbol of Chinese civilisation.
This design draws inspiration from the rich variety and myriad shapes of Chinese porcelains. Different vessel shapes are combined to form a necklace, implying the cultural integration of China and ASEAN countries. The wonderous and prosperous era is interpreted through “hard chuk kam” techniques. The unique beauty of each vessel shape represents how global unity enables diverse development. The circular form implies a united world, where various vessels – each a unique cultural identity – exist harmoniously. This convey the idea that along Belt and Road, China and ASEAN are connected through gold. Cultures are integrating despite geographical boundaries, and diverse cultures shine together in this integration. The design envisions Chinese porcelains fostering global unity and harmonious relationships.
Appendix:
Information of the 2026 Hong Kong International Jewellery Show by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and World Gold Council’s promotion on Hard Pure Gold
The global jewellery industry’s highly anticipated event, the 2026 Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), has officially opened. The World Gold Council, together with 10 Chinese gold jewellery manufacturing enterprises, is making its first collective appearance at the show with a dedicated exhibition zone — Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, further advancing the Gold Jewellery Going Global Initiative.
Following Hard Pure Gold’s debut on the international stage in 2025, which marked the start of its global expansion, this year’s exhibition represents a key step forward in its internationalisation journey. Featuring a more culturally integrated product portfolio, Hard Pure Gold aims to deliver solutions better suited to global gold consumption markets in an era of elevated gold prices.
As a flagship platform connecting China with global markets, the HKTDC jewellery shows are renowned for their extensive international buyer networks, global communications reach, and mature trade-matching systems, enabling the efficient creation of tangible global business opportunities. This aligns closely with the World Gold Council China’s objective of “bringing innovative gold jewellery that represents Chinese intelligent manufacturing to the international market.”
As an innovation benchmark within China’s gold jewellery industry, Hard Pure Gold has achieved standardised development under a clearly defined industry framework. According to the Hard Pure Gold Jewellery Industry Standard (QB/T 5793-2024), issued by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in May 2024 and officially implemented in 2025, Hard Pure Gold refers to gold jewellery with a Vickers hardness of no less than 60HV and a gold purity of at least 990‰. Manufactured using advanced processes such as electroforming and lost-wax casting, Hard Pure Gold delivers three core advantages — harder, lighter, and brighter:
• Harder: Superior wear resistance and enhanced gem-setting stability, enabling complex designs and diverse cultural aesthetic expressions.
• Lighter: Hollow-forming techniques achieve lighter weight at the same volume, improving wearing comfort and significantly lowering the purchase threshold amid high gold prices, particularly appealing to younger consumers.
• Brighter: A mirror-like lustre comparable to 18K gold, meeting the aesthetic expectations of global fashion jewellery.
At this year’s show, the dedicated Hard Pure Gold Pavilion emerged as a major highlight, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in design and craftsmanship and comprehensively demonstrating the top-tier manufacturing capabilities and innovative design strength of China’s gold jewellery industry. The booth also features six specially designed display cases, each highlighting a distinct aspect of the remarkable versatility of Hard Pure Gold, including: larger volume with lighter weight, interactive and playful designs, diamond inlay, multi-material combinations such as pearls and wood, shining like 18K gold in Western style, and the expression of diverse global cultures.
Articles about Awards:
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Articles about Hard Pure Gold:
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Articles about the World Gold Council (WGC):
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Articles on HKTDC and the HKTDC March Twin Jewellery Shows:
https://gem-spectrum.com/tag/hktdc-march-hong-kong-show
