Latest Trends from GemGenève 2023
4 Minute Read
GemGenève is an international gem and jewelry show that takes place in Geneva, Switzerland, a picturesque city where the Rhône River exits from the crystal blue Lake Geneva.
Here is how the GemGenève organizers set their mission:
"Representing centuries of tradition and driven by an open-minded spirit, GemGenève is a trade show organized by industry insiders who understand the needs of their exhibitors and aims to be a hub of creativity and innovation. The dynamic GemGenève Team was founded to promote creativity, to support talent and to foster the lively exchange of knowledge and ideas throughout the gem and jewellery community."
You can find gems and diamond traders who are extremely busy showing the sparkling wonders of their collections and antique stores representatives with jewelry worth to be written a book about. Next to them are the most reputable gemological labs representing the science of gemology as well as vintage and modern mineralogical bookstores ready to share knowledge in the form of books.
For those who prefer to obtain new information via lectures, there are addresses from the titans of the gem and jewelry sphere, along with geological workshops for children. There are also the best jewelry designers from all over the world displaying their masterpieces.
Diamonds
Diamonds attract with their brilliance from every corner of the show. You can find everything from calibrated stone parcels to big rare fancy color stones here. The percentage of fancy-colored stones is incredibly high, and their average weight is commonly more than 3 carats.
Undoubtedly, there are more yellow-colored stones. Some of them feature 40-50 carats of jumbo-size species. The other exciting trend is the prevalence of radiant cuts, cushions, and oval diamonds.
The next abundant color is pink. Fancy light and fancy pink diamonds are also represented in weight above 2-3 carats, mostly oval and marquise cut. Fancy intense and fancy deep pink diamonds are significantly rare. Their average weight also decreases to less than one carat. Some rare species from Argyle are present.
Blue and green fancy diamonds are uncommon even at this kind of gem show, with red diamonds shown only by one or two dealers.
Colored Stones
The correct word to describe the colored stones in this event is probably kaleidoscope or mosaic. Pigeon blood rubies, royal blue sapphires, and lush green emeralds look even more vibrant than in the most contrast illustrations on catalogs. The great three is prevalent among colored stones. A surprisingly large amount of Paraiba tourmaline from Brazil and Mozambique was noticed, along with ink-blue tanzanites.
Fancy-colored sapphires, including scarce padparadscha also present. Incredible sharp-dazzling spinels are available in any color.
Aquamarines, morganites, and tourmalines of any color are available in top quality of any size and cut. Some dealers emphasize natural forms and present rough crystals with faceted ones. There were several opal dealers with mindblowing opal samples.
A minimal amount of alexandrite was represented. Stones at a weight of 2-3 carats were maximum.
Some surprising findings of the show include this necklace and a matching ring with grandidierite. This rare borosilicate mineral is commonly found in translucent rav crystals, limiting the production of faceted gemstones.
Another remarkable finding was unheated faceted tanzanite of exceptional quality. As you can see, the stones don't have a saturated violet-blue color as we used to see; however, it has a stormy-gray undertone making them exceptional and having this mystique gray-blue allure.
Vintage Jewelry
After checking gemstones, let's see how they can become even better when set in jewelry, especially if it is a historical piece. Probably, you have already seen some of them in jewelry history books. Some showcases of vintage jewelry stores look like a box of treasures. You can find iconic representatives of Belle Epoque, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco from Belperron, Schlumberger, and Chaumet. Experience epochal Cartier's panthers and Bulgari's traditional snakes. Meet fairy creatures of Lalique.
Contemporary Jewelry
Some well-established modern jewelry designers and emerging talents are participating in a GemGenève show.
A very touching project that melts everybody's hearts is Strong&Precious Art Foundation which challenges itself to reveal modern Ukrainian designers to the world. This year they presented six stunning art pieces with deep meaning, showing that even in times of war, Ukrainians give beauty and art to the world.
The "Kolosinnia" necklace created by Yuval Studios combines symbols of the metallurgy of Donbas and golden wheat ears of the South. It evokes an allusion to Ukraine's beauty, tenderness, and at the same time, indomitable spirit.
Gemological Labs and Book Corners
The most reputable gemological labs (GRS, Gübelin, SSEF) offer their service on on-site testing and education opportunities. There are vintage and modern book corners for those who want to take some books as gifts for friends or to enrich their home library.
Conclusion
GemGenève is undoubtedly a show for gem dealers and jewelry connoisseurs not to be missed. However, even if you are not planning to buy something, it is the right place to find like-minded people and enjoy the atmosphere of the gem show and the incredible surrounding Swiss landscape.
