CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
Weekly QuizAug 27, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
FinancialsAug 27, 2026
Movado’s Q2 Sales Up As Younger Consumers Take Interest in WatchesThe fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.
SurveysAug 26, 2026
5 Jewelry Insights From The RealReal’s Resale ReportThe report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.
Lab-GrownAug 26, 2026
AGTA Now Requiring Members to Call Lab-Grown Gems ‘Synthetic’The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”
SurveysAug 26, 2026
Consumer Confidence Dips in August Amid Anticipatory Anxieties Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.
TrendsAug 26, 2026
Boucheron’s New Campaign Celebrates Its ‘Question Mark’ NecklacesThe campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
