By David Brough
GENEVA – The overall health of the fine jewellery and the upper echelons of the antique and vintage jewellery market is healthy, with high-quality gemstones difficult to source, co-founders of GemGenève said.
Thomas Faerber told a news conference on the eve of GemGenève that market conditions were sound, underpinned by high inflation in many parts of the world, which bolstered the safe haven appeal of high-quality goods.
Fellow co-founder Ronny Totah, in an Insta Live with @jewelleryoutlook, said that many gemstone mines had been shuttered during the Covid lockdowns, tightening new supplies, adding that overall demand was “healthy”.
GemGenève co-founders, Ronny Totah (speaking) and Thomas Faerber
Thomas Faerber and Ronny Totah were speaking ahead of the May 11-14 edition of GemGenève, taking place at Palexpo, adjacent to Geneva airport, a showcase for fine jewellery, antique and vintage jewellery, diamonds and coloured gemstones, and innovative contemporary jewellery designs, featuring clusters of talented designers curated by jewellery historian Vivienne Becker (Vivarium), and new and emerging designers curated by Nadege Totah.
Nadege Totah, in the news conference, expressed concerns about the possible future impact of AI on the jewellery design sector, with chat bots now able to quickly garner fresh design concepts.
Many jewellers have expressed worries about the potential impact of AI on jobs in the industry, notably in areas such as jewellery design.
GemGenève will present suppliers from across the global gemstone and jewellery industry, as well as labs such as SSEF, a sponsor of the event.
