GemGenève 2026: A Celebration of Beauty, Unity and Creative Courage

I was thrilled as people started to arrive and even more blown away when all the seats were taken, and it became standing room only! It reinforced something I strongly believe: the jewellery industry understands that digital communication has fundamentally changed, but many brands are still trying to find their voice.

During the session, I shared what I consider the essence of successful jewellery storytelling online. Instagram today cannot function simply as a catalogue of products. Too many brands still focus only on selling, posting image after image of jewellery without creating an emotional connection. But jewellery is emotional by nature, and Instagram is a form of seduction. Before asking someone to buy, you must first invite them into your world. You must inspire them, entertain them, build trust and communicate your uniqueness. Only then can true engagement (and sales!) happen.

Aside from these aspects of the show that I was actively involved in, there was so much else to discover. Unlike other more commercial shows, many of the exhibitors that come to GemGenève do so to spotlight their most collectable, unusual or rare mineral specimens… more to delight and inspire than make a sale. This year, there were countless large stones and rare gems to discover, cementing the show as the ultimate destination for serious collectors. I will dedicate two separate articles to unforgettable gemstones: one to rare gems like a 9ct grandidierite, a 10ct Mahenge spinel and a 5 cts Brazilian Paraíba tourmaline, and another to giants like a 65ct yellow sapphire and a 90ct cat’s eye chrysoberyl.

This same sentiment was evident in an exhibition titled ‘Shaping Matter, Enhancing Beauty’, which formed part of GemGenève 2026. It was focused on the interconnectedness of the human hand, raw materials, and the “crucial encounter” behind every jewel and art object, highlighted through cameos, nephrite vases, Art Deco nécessaires and more precious items. Many of these pieces will disappear back into private collections and vaults after the show, meaning visitors were witnessing objects they may never encounter again.

These exhibitions within an exhibition are a unique feature of GemGenève; I am yet to visit a show that can compare or live up to this same breadth of content.

Finally, in this love letter to GemGenève, I want to mention just how meticulously organised and easy to navigate this show is. The clean separation between sections allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in each world without feeling overwhelmed. Considering how much I must achieve when I attend an event like this, I appreciate the thought that show organisers put into making the floor plan accessible, the sections clear, and the content visible.

This year’s GemGenève was filled with talks, discoveries, meetings and countless inspiring conversations. Yet despite the intensity, there was also warmth and generosity everywhere I turned. After 15 years in this industry, I still feel endlessly inspired by jewellery and gemstones. For me, they are not simply decorative objects but means to nourish us emotionally. Precious creations preserve culture, celebrate craftsmanship, tell human stories and remind us that beauty still matters profoundly, especially during difficult times.