CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Events & AwardsApr 10, 2018
This New European Trade Show is Run by Exhibitors
Happening this May in Geneva, GemGenève features small to mid-sized family companies dealing in loose stones, antiques and finished jewelry.
Kashmir sapphires and natural pearls from Horovitz & Totah, the company of one of the co-founders of the new GemGenève trade show
Geneva--A new trade show is happening this May in Geneva, Switzerland, and it is aiming to fill what it feels is a gap in the market.
GemGenève, taking place May 10 through 13 at the Palexpo, is the brainchild of two trade show veterans—not organizers but exhibitors—Thomas Färber of Faerber Collection, specializing in rare antique jewelry and exceptional gemstones, and Ronny Totah of Horovitz & Totah SA, which deals in diamonds, gemstones and finished jewelry.
“Both of us have been exhibiting at many shows for many decades,” Färber explained to National Jeweler at a press conference held in New York last week, noting that he had exhibited at Baselworld for 44 years and Totah for 27 years. “We thought that we know better what our sector of the industry needs than the big organizers.”
That insider knowledge of trade shows has allowed Färber and Totah to form opinions about what works and what doesn’t, and form a consensus among their fellow exhibitors.
Totah said that the idea to create their own show was “fueled by a common dissatisfaction with every show.”
“All the shows are run by people who are very good at organizing shows but they don’t know, really, our needs,” he said. “An organizer would say a show is great because it’s full. We had a
feeling that something had to be done differently. We are not organizers, but still exhibitors are following us. That shows a need.”
Totah and Färber attributed the collective dissatisfaction among their peers to two causes: expenses and lack of concern about show conditions from organizers.
Färber explained, “Trade shows are very expensive. Their main target is to make a lot of money. The jewelry business is not so easy. We have expenses, we have to travel, we have insurance. The square meter prices at some of the trade shows are extremely expensive. A lot of smaller companies could not even afford it anymore.”
The launch of GemGenève comes at a time when the industry is grappling with what the future of trade shows will be, if some of them will be at all.
Färber said that GemGenève is by no means cheap, but it is geared toward independently-owned companies, and he and Totah will pay the same fees as all the other exhibitors at GemGenève.
Regarding their concern about a lack of care from traditional trade show organizers, Färber and Totah feel their perspective as exhibitors will allow them to “speak the same language” as their fellow vendors.
“There are a lot of small things where you feel you are not listened to (at trade shows),” Totah said. “Organizers only care if you sign for next year and if you are not happy, another exhibitor will come (to fill your space).”
Totah explained that he and Färber intend to take into consideration all of vendors’ concerns and work to actively address them.
“We will listen,” Färber said. “We won’t be perfect, but we will listen.”
Färber and Totah have approximately 140 vendors from more than 20 countries signed on for the first edition of the show, with the majority coming from the United States and Switzerland. Among them are Yafa Signed Jewels, Robert Procop, Jogani and L.J. West Diamonds.
Educational programming will include speakers such as jewelry historian and author Vivienne Becker, who also has curated a gallery of nine up-and-coming designers for the show.
Four laboratories, including the GIA, will have booths at the show, which will be open to the public as well as the trade.
Färber and Totah had a difficult time estimating the number of visitors this May, but they were encouraged by the passion with which vendors accepted their idea to go out on their own.
“I find it abnormal that for a first show done by people who never organized a show, it’s fully booked and people are trying to reserve for next year and we have never performed anything so far,” Totah said. “It’s almost sad that people are so desperate that it’s enough that we say we are going to do it differently and they will go.”
Totah and Färber attributed the collective dissatisfaction among their peers to two causes: expenses and lack of concern about show conditions from organizers.
Färber explained, “Trade shows are very expensive. Their main target is to make a lot of money. The jewelry business is not so easy. We have expenses, we have to travel, we have insurance. The square meter prices at some of the trade shows are extremely expensive. A lot of smaller companies could not even afford it anymore.”
The launch of GemGenève comes at a time when the industry is grappling with what the future of trade shows will be, if some of them will be at all.
Färber said that GemGenève is by no means cheap, but it is geared toward independently-owned companies, and he and Totah will pay the same fees as all the other exhibitors at GemGenève.
“An organizer would say a show is great because it’s full. We had a feeling that something had to be done differently." -- Ronny Totah“All our exhibitors are small- to mid-sized family companies. The ideas was to give these companies a platform to show what they can do, their knowledge, their know-how, their qualities and, of course, their products in a world of large companies today.”
Regarding their concern about a lack of care from traditional trade show organizers, Färber and Totah feel their perspective as exhibitors will allow them to “speak the same language” as their fellow vendors.
“There are a lot of small things where you feel you are not listened to (at trade shows),” Totah said. “Organizers only care if you sign for next year and if you are not happy, another exhibitor will come (to fill your space).”
Totah explained that he and Färber intend to take into consideration all of vendors’ concerns and work to actively address them.
“We will listen,” Färber said. “We won’t be perfect, but we will listen.”
Färber and Totah have approximately 140 vendors from more than 20 countries signed on for the first edition of the show, with the majority coming from the United States and Switzerland. Among them are Yafa Signed Jewels, Robert Procop, Jogani and L.J. West Diamonds.
Educational programming will include speakers such as jewelry historian and author Vivienne Becker, who also has curated a gallery of nine up-and-coming designers for the show.
Four laboratories, including the GIA, will have booths at the show, which will be open to the public as well as the trade.
Färber and Totah had a difficult time estimating the number of visitors this May, but they were encouraged by the passion with which vendors accepted their idea to go out on their own.
“I find it abnormal that for a first show done by people who never organized a show, it’s fully booked and people are trying to reserve for next year and we have never performed anything so far,” Totah said. “It’s almost sad that people are so desperate that it’s enough that we say we are going to do it differently and they will go.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
IndependentsDec 19, 2024
Michigan’s DeVries Jewelers Unveils New Location in Time for the HolidaysCo-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
Brought to you by
Advocacy and Excellence: How Jewelers of America Is Committed to Elevating Our Industry For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionThe highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
SourcingDec 12, 2024
Grizzly Emerald Auction Garners $22.4MRecent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
MajorsDec 12, 2024
Mark Henry Appoints New Director of SalesCarrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
SourcingDec 12, 2024
De Beers Announces 2024 ‘Shining Light’ Award WinnersThe competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.
CollectionsDec 12, 2024
The Jared Atelier x Vera Wang Collection Emphasizes EleganceThe high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.
