GemGenève: 8 years and 10 editions of Excellence and Creativity.
GemGenève: 8 years and 10 editions of Excellence, Creativity and Human-Centred Luxury
In a global market marked by uncertainty and economic pressure, the tenth edition of GemGenève concluded on a remarkably high note, confirming its position as one of the most influential and visionary events in the international jewellery calendar.
Held over five vibrant days at Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, the exhibition welcomed more than 5,365 individual visitors — reaching over 8,009 visits including multiple entries — and gathered over 240 exhibitors representing the finest spheres of high jewellery, coloured gemstones, antique treasures, contemporary design and exceptional craftsmanship.
More than a trade fair, GemGenève has evolved into a cultural and artistic platform where commerce meets creativity, heritage dialogues with innovation, and established maisons stand proudly alongside emerging talents. This landmark tenth edition demonstrated not only the resilience of the jewellery world, but also the enduring power of passion, expertise and human connection.
“A Show Created by Exhibitors, for Exhibitors”
Reflecting on the success of the anniversary edition, co-founder Ronny Totah expressed immense satisfaction with both the atmosphere and the quality of exchanges that defined the exhibition.
“I think this tenth edition really delivered on its promises. We’ve had excellent feedback from exhibitors. Traders, dealers, emerging artists and artisans presenting their know-how have all praised the quality of the discussions and the unusually high levels of energy at the show, in an environment that proved especially favourable for sealing deals.”
What makes GemGenève exceptional is precisely this delicate balance between business and emotion. Conceived by industry insiders who intimately understand the realities of the trade, the event was born from a desire to create a salon where exhibitors could truly feel understood, supported and valued.
From lighting and exhibition design to visitor circulation and the atmosphere of dialogue, every detail has been carefully considered by professionals who know the jewellery world from within.
“Respect and knowledge of our sector are essential,” explained Ronny Totah during our conversation. “People outside the industry often underestimate how important details such as lighting are. But when dealing with gemstones and jewellery, every element matters. From the beginning, we knew exactly what needed to be prioritised.”
Meeting the Visionaries Behind GemGenève
My own magical journey through the refined universe of GemGenève would not have been complete without meeting the invisible yet deeply perceptible force behind the exhibition: its founders and creators.
Our meeting took place on 8 May in the exclusive press lounge within the exhibition grounds. Despite a relentless schedule of meetings, interviews and events, the founders entered the room with remarkable warmth and positive energy — a reflection perhaps of the spirit that defines GemGenève itself.
The conversation began with Nadège Totah, who spoke passionately about the evolving vision of the salon and the importance of nurturing creativity through initiatives such as the Designers Village.
For Nadège Totah, jewellery is above all a language of individuality and emotion.
“Every designer is unique,”
she explained.
“GemGenève is a welcoming space for that uniqueness. Everyone is invited to express their own artistic language and personal emotions through their creations.”
Under her direction, the Designers Village has become one of the exhibition’s most exciting and dynamic areas, offering visibility to emerging talents and independent creators from around the world who represent the future of fine and artistic jewellery.
As our discussion deepened, co-founders Thomas Faerber and Ronny Totah entered alongside Ida Faerber, bringing with them an atmosphere of elegance, sincerity and unmistakable enthusiasm.
When asked to describe their emotions regarding this tenth edition in just one word, their responses came instantly:
– Ronny Totah: “Satisfaction.”
– Thomas Faerber: “Happiness.”
– Ida Faerber: “Pride and joy.”
Their answers reflected not only professional achievement, but also the emotional journey behind the creation of GemGenève.
The founders recalled the very first edition in 2018 — the uncertainty, the enormous empty spaces still being prepared on opening day, and the pressure of launching an entirely new concept in the international jewellery scene. Yet even amidst those challenges, they never lost faith in their vision.
“We jumped into the water and we had to learn how to swim,”
Thomas Faerber recalled with a smile.
Filling a Void in the Jewellery World
Long before becoming organisers, the founders themselves were exhibitors at prestigious international fairs, including Baselworld. Through years of experience, they understood both the possibilities and the limitations faced by jewellers, gemstone dealers and designers seeking meaningful platforms to present their work.
They recognised a gap in the industry: the need for an exhibition centred on authenticity, expertise and human interaction rather than spectacle alone.
GemGenève was therefore imagined as:
• a show organised by traders for traders,
• by jewellers for jewellers,
• by gem experts for gem experts,
• and by jewellery lovers for jewellery lovers.
This philosophy remains the beating heart of the event.
Unlike traditional fairs closely connected to auction houses or corporate structures, GemGenève forged an independent identity from the very beginning. Its cross-disciplinary spirit embraces coloured gemstones, exceptional diamonds, pearls, antique jewellery, contemporary creations, historical expertise and avant-garde artistry with equal importance.
Today, the salon is internationally recognised for celebrating rare know-how while supporting the next generation of artistic voices.
GemGenève: An Elegant Child Entering Its Teenage Years
Perhaps the most touching moment of our discussion came when the founders described GemGenève itself almost as a living being.
They spoke of the exhibition as:
“a strong and determined child entering its teenage years — elegant, joyful, respectful of its parents and always open to new challenges while making wise decisions.”
This poetic metaphor perfectly captures the evolution of the salon over the past decade. What began as an ambitious idea has matured into one of the world’s most respected jewellery events, known for its refinement, exclusivity and authenticity.
Today, GemGenève stands as a symbol of excellence, bringing together nearly 280 exhibitors and participants united by their devotion to exceptional gemstones, jewellery artistry and transmission of knowledge.
The Visionaries Behind GemGenève
Thomas Faerber
Coming from four generations of jewellers, Thomas Faerber founded his own company in Zurich in 1968 after training with leading diamond and gemstone merchants across Europe. Under his leadership, the Faerber Group expanded internationally, establishing offices in Geneva, Paris, New York and Hong Kong. In 2018, he co-founded GemGenève together with Ronny Totah, bringing decades of expertise and vision to the project.
Ronny Totah
Initially trained in civil engineering in Lausanne, Ronny Totah eventually followed his passion for gemstones and joined the family jewellery business alongside the renowned Horovitz family. In 1990, he co-founded Horovitz & Totah S.A., a company celebrated for sourcing extraordinary diamonds and coloured gemstones transformed into timeless jewels of classical elegance. Ronny Totah is the co-founder of GemGeneve together with Thomas Faerber.
Ida Faerber
Before entering the jewellery world, Ida Faerber began her career in fashion with Yves Saint Laurent. Joining the family business in 1998, she developed extensive expertise in precious stones and antique jewellery restoration. Today, she serves as a board member of both GemGenève and the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF).
Nadège Totah
Born into a third generation jewellery family, Nadège Totah has become one of the driving creative forces behind GemGenève. Through the creation of the Designers Village and her curation of Emerging Talents and New Designers, she has provided a unique international platform for the next generation of jewellery artists.
An exhibition with a Soul
In an era increasingly dominated by digital interactions and commercial pressure, GemGenève remains profoundly human at its core. Its success lies not only in the rarity of the gemstones displayed or the prestige of its exhibitors, but in the atmosphere of authenticity and dialogue that permeates every corridor of the show.
GemGenève is not simply an exhibition. It is a meeting point for generations, cultures, expertise and artistic visions — a place where jewellery becomes not merely luxury, but emotion, heritage and storytelling.
As the curtain closed on its triumphant tenth edition, one thing became undeniably clear: GemGenève has not only secured its place within the global jewellery world — it has become one of its most inspiring voices.
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