New show GemGeneve offers extraordinary gems and jewels
By David Brough
GENEVA, May 10, 2018 – GemGeneve, the inaugural Geneva international gems and jewellery show, offered an extraordinary array of gemstones and jewellery, including some exceptional antique and vintage pieces created by the world’s leading jewellery houses.
The high-end show has arisen out of dissatisfaction among some exhibitors with large traditional trade show formats, and is unusual because it is founded by exhibitors rather than professional event organisers.
“We have 40 (exhibitors) on our waiting list. We are full and overbooked,” said Ronny Totah, one of the founders of the show which runs at Palexpo, Geneva, from May 10-13, 2018.
The event has 147 exhibitors — gem merchants, antique jewellery dealers, pearl merchants, diamantaires, and jewellers from around the world.
GemGeneve showcased extraordinary colour gemstones, as well as contemporary jewellery, and antique and vintage pieces from leading houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron, and Belperron.
Many leading figures from the global gem and jewellery industry attended the opening of the show, including Gaetano Cavalieri, who heads the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO).
“The calibre of exhibitors here is excellent,” Cavalieri told Jewellery Outlook, adding that the mood across the show was very upbeat.
Jack Ogden, author of the recently launched book “Diamonds”, which tells the early history of the king of gems, also referred to a positive mood at the event.
Visitors could hear deals being discussed in the hallways of the show.
GemGeneve takes place a few days before the Sotheby’s and Christie’s magnificent jewellery auctions (May 15-16) in Geneva, and accordingly represents a fresh opportunity for buyers and connoisseur collectors to acquire extraordinary pieces.
The show featured seminars by leading jewellery experts, including author Vivienne Becker who spoke about the recent history of jewellery and introduced leading designers from the Designers’ Showcase at GemGeneve, including Britain’s Hannah Martin.
Amanda Triossi, an independent jewellery specialist and historian, spoke about jewellery in the 1960s and 1970s.
Vanessa Cron gave a fascinating presentation to journalists about Art Deco jewellery, discussing the Mystery Setting; popular brands of the period, such as Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier; and celebrities of the era who wore fabulous jewellery, including the Duchess of Windsor.
