jewellery manufactory
THE TERM 'JEWELLERY' is difficult to define as it covers a plethora of personal adornments made from a wide range of materials and for a variety of purposes - for ornament or utility, to show rank or wealth, or to follow superstitious customs or fashion.
In ages past, materials such as feathers, shells and even teeth were used to make jewellery. Later, metals such as bronze, silver and gold were preferred, with the addition of precious stones and other ornaments.
Whatever the material and whatever the reason, jewellery has always been in demand and is one of Hong Kong's biggest exports, ranking third behind clothing and electronics and making it the third largest jewellery exporter in the world.
Hong Kong's total exports of precious jewellery reached $25.5 billion last year. The local industry experienced more than a 20 per cent increase in exports in both 2004 and last year.
According to Trade Development Council (TDC) statistics released in January there are nearly 3,400 jewellery practitioners in Hong Kong, generating 17,600 jobs.
Of these, 560 companies were engaged in the manufacturing sector, while the rest were involved in the import-export trade and retail.
