The global precious metals and jewelry market (as of Q3) saw a simultaneous increase in demand for premium jewelry alongside rising gold and silver prices.
In particular, demand for investment-grade gold bars and coins showed an upward trend due to rising geopolitical risks and inflation concerns. Korea is pursuing export diversification by leveraging precious metal processing technology and precision jewelry design.
This data is being utilized for precious metal price risk management, investment product portfolio design, and strategies for high-value-added craft industries.
division | HS code | Representative items | Strategy Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precious Metals (PM Metals) | HS 7108 ~ 7112 | Gold, silver, and platinum refined products, investment bars, and coins | LME · International Market Price Linked Pricing Strategy |
| Pearls & Stones | HS 7101 ~ 7104 | Natural pearls, gemstones, and processed gemstones | High-quality processing and design differentiation |
| Jewelry | HS 7113 ~ 7116 | Gold, silver, and platinum jewelry and plated products | Branding and premiumization of K-jewelry |
Country/Region | Strong items | Market characteristics | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong and Singapore | gold bars, gems | Intermediate trade hub with high price elasticity | Short-term trading and exchange rate risk management |
| USA | Jewelry, coins | Simultaneous demand for luxury and investment | Strengthening design branding |
| UAE | precious metals, gems | Tariff Preferences and Gold Trading Hub | Opportunities for diversification in the Middle East market |
| EU | Platinum and palladium | Focus on environmental regulations and ESG factors | Recycled precious metals certification required |
The domestic precious metal processing and jewelry industry is mainly comprised of small and medium-sized workshops and OEM companies, and quantitative data in national statistics is limited.
item | Number/estimate | unit | note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precious metal processing production amount | About 1.6 trillion won | KRW | Integrated Standards for Gems and Jewelry |
| Exportable quantity | About 35% of total production | % | Excluding domestic consumption and financial demand |
| Major industrial hubs | Jongno, Seoul, Geumjeong, Busan, Iksan | region | Precious Metals Processing and Crafts Cluster |
In international trade, certification of precious metal content and purity is key.
field | Main specifications | note |
|---|---|---|
| purity of precious metals | 999.9 (gold), 925 (silver), 950 (platinum) | ISO 11426 / ISO 9202 |
| Gemological Appraisal | GIA, IGI, HRD | Internationally accredited appraisal agency |
| Jewelry quality | KS H 7501 / CIBJO | Plating and alloy standards |
division | Certification name | Applicable area |
|---|---|---|
| Quality and content | ISO 11426 / ISO 9202 | Global |
| emotional authentication | GIA Certificate | USA |
| ESG certification | RJC CoC · COP | EU · Global Gold Trading Standard |
Security, insurance, and temperature control are important for precious metals and jewelry.
Product group | means of transportation | Lead time | risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| gold bars and coins | Air express | 3 to 7 days | Insurance and customs security |
| Gems and Jewelry | Air or special packaging courier | 5 to 10 days | Risk of damage or loss |
| Platinum and palladium | By sea or air | 10 to 15 days | Exchange rate and shipping cost fluctuations |
Item | MOQ | unit | characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| gold bars and coins | 1 kg | kg | For investment and high price |
| Gems and Jewelry | 10 pieces | dog | Wholesale and OEM focused |
| silver products | 5 kg | kg | Supply to small and medium-sized producers |
cord | item | example | conjugation |
|---|---|---|---|
| (A) | Unit price · Transaction price range | Gold USD 2,350/oz, silver USD 28/oz | LME · COMEX standards |
| (B) | seasonality | Q4 gift trading is active | Responding to investment demand |
| (C) | Tariffs and non-tariffs | Mostly duty-free | Free trade activation |
| (D) | Domestic alternative industries | Precious metal recycling | ESG Transition Opportunity |
| (E) | ESG · Net Zero | RJC · LBMA Supply Chain Verification | Ethical Supply Chain |
| (F) | Country-specific risks | Hong Kong 0.32, UAE 0.24 | Price and policy risks |
| (G) | Major Buyers | Chow Tai Fook, Tiffany & Co. | Premium Deals |
segment | ΔExport(%) | ΔPrice(%) | ΔCountryShare(pp) | TrustIndex (0–1) | 3M Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold and coins | +3.1% | +1.8% | +0.3 pp | 0.82 | Inflation and risk aversion continue |
| Jewelry | +2.2% | +0.7% | +0.1 pp | 0.74 | Luxury consumption recovery |
| jewelry products | +1.3% | −0.2% | +0.0 pp | 0.68 | Design competition is needed amid price stability. |
