A s a jewelry historian I might be biased by what I find unique at GemGenève; however, it is the opportunity to see an exceptional range of jewels and gems but also to attend free talks on very diverse aspects of jewelry history and design by leading international specialists.
For me it is almost impossible to answer the question which are the top five booths to visit, it is like asking a mother which is her favourite child. The range and quality is such at GemGenève that all booths are worthy of a visit. My suggestion is it choose what you like best, or just be drawn to discover something completely new in the areas where contemporary designers are exhibited: The Designer Vivarium and Emerging Talents.
For out-of-towners at GemGenève, the restaurant Tom and Ronny is a must-visit. Humorously named in honour of the founders of the fair, Thomas Faerber and Ronny Totah. It is an excellent place for a break with a salad or plat du jour before you go in jewelry overload. In down town Geneva one of my absolute favourites is the Restaurant Café de Paris, at rue de Mont-Blanc. Definitely not fancy and definitely not for vegans nor for vegetarians, as you will only be served steak, and preferably blue with fries!
Here are my top five suggestions of things to see at the fair:
- Don’t miss the session on Jean Baptiste Tavernier: a life led in adventures and diamonds during the 17th century who travelled in 1600s India to source exceptional gems and diamonds (9 May at 1:30 PM and at 5 PM).
- Be bowled over by the extraordinary designs of the jewels presented in the talk Artist, Studio and Couture: The No Limit Jewels (9 May at 3PM), where speaker Vanessa Cron will look back over the important relationship and intersection between art and Jewelry.
- If you are more inclined towards antique jewelry, enjoy looking at the beautiful, sinuous and figurative jewels of Lalique in Art Nouveau Jewellery: the Sacred Beauty (10 and 11 May at 11:30 AM).
- If your favourite type of jewels are earrings, then my talk on these will show you have they have changed over time and why sometimes styles have even disappeared for good. (10 May at 2:00 PM and 11 May at 3:30 PM)
- For the committed gem lovers, discover Ruby: the King of Gems – which explores one of the rarest and most expensive gemstones in the world (11 May at 1:30 PM).
Amanda Triossi is a jewelry historian, author, curator, lecturer on the history of Western jewelry design and consultant to luxury goods companies. Born and educated in Rome, Italy, she obtained a History of Art degree at Cambridge University. Her professional associations include executive positions at Sotheby’s and Bulgari.
