Fair organiser Gemexpo SA’s decision to move GemGenève 2020 to an earlier date will help maximise business opportunities for traders planning to attend both the Geneva fair and the rescheduled Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW), revealed Informa Markets Jewellery. 

GemGenève, the Geneva International Gem & Jewellery Show, is a niche event led by some of the world’s most iconic names in gemstones and jewellery. Originally slated for November 5 to 8, it will now take place from November 1 to 4 at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland.

JGW organiser Informa Markets Jewellery said that by moving GemGenève four days earlier, Gemexpo has enhanced the chances of exhibitors and professional buyers to participate in both GemGenève and JGW, previously known as the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. 

JGW has changed its dates from September 13 to 19 at two venues to the only remaining free slot available in the latter part of the year – November 9 to 13 at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) – in view of safety concerns, continued travel restrictions and Covid-19 containment measures. 

“We deeply appreciate this extraordinary gesture by our colleagues and friends at Gemexpo, and the exhibitors and buyers powering GemGenève. They have proven that we, as a community, can indeed come together, seek creative ways to maximise sourcing opportunities for our show attendees, and remain united in our common goal of helping the industry bounce back from the pandemic crisis,” said Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery. 

Commenting on the reason behind GemGenève’s rescheduling, Ronny Totah, co-founder of the Geneva show, said, “I’m convinced that now is the time to turn to more human values. We will not be able to go through this challenging period without solidarity and respect.”

The adjusted GemGenève show dates will give the two fairs’ overlapping exhibitors and buyers sufficient time to attend both events should travel and social distancing restrictions ease.

Lau reiterated that moving JGW to November is a one-off arrangement and is made largely in response to industry partners’ requests for a B2B marketplace that will give them the opportunity to secure orders before the end of the year. The event will return to its September slot in 2021.

“This has been a bruising year for everyone, including the jewellery sector,” Lau said. “This makes events such as JGW and GemGenève more important than ever for the industry as we all prepare for our post-Covid-19 revival plan.”

Entering its third edition this year, GemGenève was founded by two of the industry’s most well-respected experts – Thomas Faerber and Totah. The fair is described as “a new-generation gem and jewellery show” that promotes creativity, supports talent and fosters the lively exchange of knowledge and ideas throughout the gem and jewellery community.

JGW is recognised as the ultimate B2B jewellery marketplace in the world, offering a rich and diverse selection of products, from precious loose materials and finished jewellery collections to the latest technologies. The fair also features a forward-focused programme of events, which shines the limelight on trends and inspirations in the world of luxury jewellery.