Lustre Emeralds Australia witness how Colombian Emeralds Shine at Hong Kong Fair

Lustre Co-Founders from Australia at 2025 Hong Kong Jewellery and Gemstone Fair

Colombian emeralds are often described as the finest in the world, and at the recent Jewellery & Gem World fair in Hong Kong, their reputation was on full display. Lustre Emerald co-founders Dave Adler and Juan Correa spent five days at the event (15–20 September 2025), exploring the latest trends and connecting with industry peers.

With more than 3,000 exhibitors and 40 pavilions, the fair is the largest of its kind and a unique chance to see the global gemstone market in one place — from affordable (and evident) lab-grown stones to rare treasures commanding extraordinary prices.

Colombian Emeralds Take the Spotlight in Hong Kong

“Billions of dollars’ worth of jewellery and gemstones were on display in Hong Kong — it was truly mind-blowing,” said Juan. One of the standout pieces was a necklace featuring a 150-carat emerald alongside 30 carats of diamonds. “Even without a price tag, it was clear the Colombian emeralds alone on this piece would be worth well over AUD $1.5 million,” added Dave.

The fair highlighted just how broad the gemstone market is — with lab-grown options starting from AUD $15 per carat, all the way to natural, no-oil Colombian Muzo emeralds fetching AUD $150,000 per carat.

Why Colombian Emeralds Stand Apart

Seeing emeralds from different parts of the world side by side was especially valuable. Stones from Zambia, Brazil, and Russia all have their own appeal, but Colombian emeralds stood out for their clarity and vivid colour.

“There are beautiful emeralds from many countries,” Dave reflected, “but Colombian emeralds consistently carried a two to three times premium compared with Zambian emeralds of similar size and quality. That difference speaks volumes about their standing in the market.”

A Shift Toward Colour in Australia and Beyond

One clear trend shaping the industry is the rise of coloured gemstones. Diamonds remain popular, but more buyers are now choosing emeralds, sapphires, and other coloured stones for engagement rings and fine jewellery.

“Colour is becoming part of the conversation in a way it hasn’t been for a long time,” Juan noted. “It’s exciting to see emeralds — particularly Colombian emeralds — take their place in that shift.”

For Australia and the Pacific, this growing appetite for coloured gemstones is creating space for emeralds to gain more recognition and demand.

Looking Ahead- Colombian Emeralds in Australia

The Hong Kong fair was not just about viewing extraordinary stones, but also about building connections and gaining perspective on where the market is headed. For Colombian emeralds, the outlook is positive — both globally and closer to home in Australia and the Pacific.

As coloured gemstones continue their resurgence, Colombian emeralds are well positioned to remain one of the most admired and sought-after gems in the world.