SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
CollectionsAug 09, 2016
In Basel, the shows are about to begin
The trees are in early bloom, the white asparagus is coming in and the small Swiss town of Basel is buzzing once again for the annual Baselworld trade show, which has some company this year.
Brands under the Movado group umbrella are among the 1,500 exhibitors at the 2014 edition of Baselworld, which opens Thursday in Switzerland.
Basel--The trees are in early bloom, the white asparagus is coming in and the small Swiss town of Basel is buzzing once again for the annual Baselworld trade show, which has some company this year.
Baselworld is considered one of the world’s preeminent shows for watch brands, particularly Swiss- made brands, to display their new collections and latest movement innovations.
In an interview with National Jeweler following a pre-show press conference held Wednesday, Baselworld Managing Director Sylvia Ritter said Baselworld has approximately 1,400 exhibitors displaying a total of 1,500 brands this year, “about the same” as it had in 2013.
Last year, the Swiss trade show underwent a $454.9 million makeover that left it with a smaller but more modern space and 24 percent fewer exhibitors as compared with 2012. Show organizers said they were emphasizing “quality over quantity,” and reiterated the same as the 2014 show opened.
“We really tried to stabilize the number of exhibitors,” Ritter said Wednesday.
RELATED CONTENT: After $455M makeover, Baselworld to begin
While it is still a major event in the industry, particularly as a showcase for the latest Swiss-made mechanical watches, Baselworld is not the only show in town this year.
The Rapaport Group is hosting its first trade show in the Swiss city, the Diamond Show, which is taking place Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday at the Markthalle building, located near Basel’s SBB train station not far from Baselworld. (The show is closed Saturday for religious observances.)
The Diamond Show is open to the jewelry trade, private investors and collectors, and includes polished stones from 60 manufacturers and dealers as well as a special salon for fancy color diamonds.
RELATED CONENT: Rapaport to host diamond trade show in Basel
In nearby Freiburg, Germany, there is another first: UBM Asia is hosting its inaugural European show, the European Jewellery & Gem Fair. Freiburg is 30 minutes from Basel, and show organizers are providing shuttle bus service between the two cities throughout the fair, which starts Monday and runs for four days.
As Baselworld prepared to open Wednesday, show organizers shared 2013 export data for the Swiss watch industry as a whole, which has seen demand flatline following the massive year-over-year gains posted in 2011 and 2012, as the industry recovered from the global recession.
In 2013, Swiss watch exports increased 2 percent year-over-year in value terms, from CHF 21.4
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
billion ($24.17 billion) in 2012 to CHF 21.8 billion ($24.62 billion) in 2013, but fell 4 percent in volume terms.
Demand dropped in both Hong Kong and China--markets, show organizers emphasized during Wednesday’s press conference, that will play a major role in the future of the Swiss watch industry--but was up slightly in the United States, rising 2 percent year-over-year.
Asia is the Swiss watch industry’s largest market by far, gobbling up 52 percent of exports in 2013, compared with 31 percent by Europe and 14 percent in the Americas.
The week-long Baselworld show begins Thursday in Switzerland.
More on Collections
The Latest
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
