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Jewelry Trade Show Sourcing FAQ: Canton Fair, JCK, Supplier Meetings
Oct 1, 2026
Jewelry Trade Show Sourcing FAQ
Canton Fair, JCK, Supplier Meetings, and Follow-Up That Wins Orders
Trade Shows Still Move Jewelry Wholesale
Online sourcing changed the industry, but trade shows still win. A handshake with a factory owner, a sample you can hold, and a booth full of new styles do what emails cannot. The Canton Fair in Guangzhou and JCK in Las Vegas remain the two biggest stops for jewelry buyers, each drawing thousands of suppliers and buyers from around the world.
The catch is that a show without a plan is just a crowded walk. Most buyers return with business cards and no orders because they never set priorities, took notes, or followed up on time.
This guide covers how to source jewelry at trade shows, from which shows to pick to the follow-up that turns a meeting into a contract.
Show facts for 2026: The 140th Canton Fair opens October 15, 2026, and Fashion Jewelry is an official Phase 2 sector. The show is split into phases, so buyers should target the phase that covers their category. JCK in Las Vegas brings together over 17,000 attendees and about 1,800 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, organized into neighborhoods for easier navigation. Sea freight takes 30 to 45 days, air freight 5 to 10 days, and express courier 3 to 5 days, so show orders need shipping planned at the booth. Buyers who follow up within 5 to 7 days stand out, because suppliers meet hundreds of buyers in five days and forget most of them. Never authorize a full production run based on a prototype shown at the fair; order samples from your top choices and test them in real conditions.
Choosing the Right Show
Which jewelry trade shows should I attend?
Top shows: (1) Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China, twice a year. (2) Fashion Jewelry is an official Phase 2 sector there. (3) JCK Las Vegas, trade-only, about 17,000 attendees and 1,800 exhibitors. (4) Hong Kong Jewellery Fair for fine and fashion jewelry. (5) Regional shows fit smaller buyers. (6) Canton Fair suits factory-direct sourcing. (7) JCK suits order-writing with US suppliers and brands. (8) Match the show to your category and budget. (9) Check the phase dates before booking. (10) One well-chosen show beats three random ones.
When is the Canton Fair and what phases cover jewelry?
Canton Fair: (1) The 140th session opens October 15, 2026. (2) The fair runs in three phases. (3) Phase 2 covers fashion jewelry, gifts, and home products. (4) Spring and autumn sessions each year. (5) October is the autumn session. (6) Fashion Jewelry buyers should target Phase 2. (7) Check exact dates before booking. (8) Book hotels and badges early. (9) The venue is the China Import and Export Fair Complex. (10) Plan two to three days for the category.
Is JCK worth it for a small jewelry brand?
JCK value: (1) It is trade-only, buyers only, no consumers. (2) About 1,800 exhibitors from 100 countries. (3) It is the primary hub for order-writing. (4) Trend spotting is easier in one venue. (5) Networking with retailers and suppliers. (6) Neighborhoods make the floor navigable. (7) Small brands find smaller lines and private label partners. (8) It costs more than an online order. (9) Treat it as a relationship investment. (10) Go when you are ready to commit.
| Show | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Canton Fair | Guangzhou, China | Factory-direct, low MOQ, fashion jewelry |
| JCK Las Vegas | Las Vegas, USA | Order-writing, US market, trend spotting |
| Hong Kong Fair | Hong Kong | Fine and fashion jewelry, Asia supply |
| Regional shows | Various | Local buyers, smaller budgets |
At the Show
How do I shortlist suppliers at a trade show?
Shortlisting: (1) Set a clear budget and category before you go. (2) Walk the floor and stop at booths matching your niche. (3) Ask if they are the manufacturer. (4) Check material reports and samples. (5) Feel the weight and finish of pieces. (6) Take booth photos and product images. (7) Collect catalogs and quotations. (8) Ask for FOB pricing at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 units. (9) Ask about MOQ and sample availability. (10) Keep a shortlist of your top three to five.
What should I ask a supplier at the booth?
Booth questions: (1) Are you the factory or a trading company? (2) What is the MOQ per style? (3) Can I mix styles in one order? (4) What are the payment terms? (5) What is the lead time for reorders? (6) Do you provide test reports? (7) Can you do private label and engraving? (8) What shipping options do you arrange? (9) What are the prices at 500, 1,000, 2,000 units? (10) Their answers separate factories from middlemen.
How do I spot quality issues at a show?
Quality checks: (1) Examine clasp strength on necklaces. (2) Check plating color and consistency. (3) Weigh the piece, compare to catalog. (4) Test engraving depth on samples. (5) Look at stone settings under a loupe. (6) Check hinge tension on bangles. (7) Ask about plating thickness in microns. (8) Request salt spray test results. (9) Compare the same style across two booths. (10) A sample in hand beats a photo every time.
After the Show
How quickly should I follow up with suppliers?
Follow-up timing: (1) Follow up within 5 to 7 days. (2) Suppliers meet hundreds of buyers in five days. (3) A fast, specific email stands out. (4) Include your requirements and the products discussed. (5) Request a formal quotation. (6) Reference your booth conversation. (7) Attach your company intro. (8) Ask for samples from your top three. (9) Match business cards to your notes. (10) The follow-up is where deals are won.
Should I order samples after a trade show?
Sample ordering: (1) Yes, always order samples. (2) Never authorize full production on a prototype. (3) Order from your top three choices. (4) Test them in real-world conditions. (5) Compare weight, finish, and plating. (6) Samples cost a few dollars each. (7) They prevent expensive mistakes. (8) Most factories ship samples fast. (9) Test the clasp daily for a week. (10) The best sample becomes your first order.
How do I turn a show meeting into a wholesale order?
Closing the deal: (1) Confirm pricing in writing. (2) Agree on payment terms. (3) Order a small mixed batch first. (4) Arrange QC photos before shipment. (5) Compare sea, air, and express costs. (6) Sea takes 30 to 45 days, plan for it. (7) Air takes 5 to 10 days. (8) Express takes 3 to 5 days. (9) Confirm shipping deadlines with your timeline. (10) A small first order builds the relationship.
- Canton Fair: Fashion Jewelry in Phase 2, 140th session opens Oct 15, 2026.
- JCK: ~17,000 attendees, 1,800 exhibitors, trade-only.
- Shortlist: Top 3-5 suppliers, samples in hand.
- Ask: Factory or trader, MOQ, terms, lead time, reports.
- Follow up: Within 5-7 days with specifics.
- Samples: Order from top choices before any bulk.
- Shipping: Sea 30-45 days, air 5-10, express 3-5.
- Don't: Commit to full production on a booth prototype.
Final Trade Show Advice
A trade show is a relationship market. The buyers who win are the ones who walk in with a category, ask factory-level questions, and follow up while the supplier still remembers their face. Sample orders turn handshakes into contracts.
If you cannot make it to Guangzhou or Las Vegas this season, you can still source factory-direct from Showfay, a 316L stainless steel manufacturer since 1998. Low MOQs, mixed orders, and samples mean you can test a line from anywhere.
Plan your show, shortlist hard, and follow up fast.
Source From the Factory316L Stainless Steel · Low MOQ $150 · Since 1998
Request SamplesFactory-Direct · Mixed Styles Welcome
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