Jewellery Geneva was sexy! A recap of the show in Switzerland
In the week when Geneva is taken over by professionals from the horology industry, the Hotel President transforms into an oasis of sparkle and calm. All thanks to Jewellery Geneva – a boutique show dedicated to jewellery, which in an intimate setting invites guests to connect with a carefully curated circle of exclusive jewellery brands. From April 13–19, the 5th edition of this unique event celebrating the spirit of slow luxury took place.
Working at full speed is my everyday reality and my element – I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But even someone as dynamic as me enjoys slowing down from time to time. Industry events are usually a mix of marathon and sprint – I run between booths, shoot videos, talk and meet with creators and brands, attend panels and galas. A visit to Jewellery Geneva is a refreshing change – the boutique show at the Hotel President allows you to focus on admiring jewellery without the rush.
Jewellery Geneva for the fifth time
This year’s edition marked the fifth in the history of Jewellery Geneva, an initiative by Howard Hauben, a renowned expert and entrepreneur behind prestigious projects such as Couture Show in Las Vegas and Centurion in Arizona. From the very beginning, both timing and location have remained the same – the show coincides with the dates of the Watches and Wonders fair, and takes place at the 5-star Hotel President, located close to where guests of the horology event stay. All of this is designed so that visitors attending the major fair can comfortably take the opportunity to shop or explore the offerings of luxury jewellery brands.
At Jewellery Geneva, quality takes center stage over scale. This April’s show featured 30 brands, and the Hotel President welcomed 363 buyers and media representatives. The hosts ensured not only an intimate atmosphere but also refined hospitality – the show opened with a cocktail gathering, and in the following days visitors were treated to breakfasts, lunches, and wine. The elegant interiors of the Glow, the Wilson Room Ballroom, and the Wilson Foyer were transformed into exhibition spaces. This year, the booths received a completely new look – a sophisticated combination of black and gold, along with perfectly designed lighting, gave the entire setting a chic character. Buyers and exhibitors agreed: “it’s sexy!”
More time to shine
Luxury at Jewellery Geneva has three faces. The first is the setting and hospitality I’ve already mentioned. The second is the offering – exhibitors at the Hotel President form a select group of 30 carefully curated brands. The third aspect is time. For once, I could fully immerse myself in trying on pieces, conversations, and filming without the pressure of needing to be somewhere else, at another booth. This encourages attentiveness and appreciation of the details and nuances of exceptional designs. Yes, I visited all 30 brands, and here’s a brief summary of my favorite discoveries.
At Nanis, I was charmed as much by the jewellery as by the charisma of the brand’s owner, Laura. Her vibe, her style – a true colorful personality. Among the new pieces, what caught my eye was a unique combination of luxurious materials and elements (including Nanis’ signature boules) with leather cords – I love such contrasts. With Valentina Callegher, we’ll soon be BFFs – just a few weeks ago I visited her atelier in Valenza, and meeting again at the Hotel President felt like a wonderful reunion. In Geneva, Valentina presented a phenomenal new collection inspired by floral forms, featuring diamonds in marquise, baguette, and round cuts. At Bloch, a Swiss brand from Zurich, I instantly slipped on modern rings with bold, chunky settings. David Gotlib is an undisputed master of cufflinks – he shows how much expression and refinement even a small jewellery detail can add to a classic men’s look.
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The top floor of luxury
The opportunity to leisurely try on jewellery masterpieces such as Schreiner bracelets is a true privilege – one I fully embraced at Jewellery Geneva. This is high jewellery in a very distinctive, signature style – sculptural, with the brand’s characteristic strength of form. At the Niessing booth, I immersed myself in analyzing extraordinary constructions and design solutions – there were real gems of innovation. In their bestselling engagement ring, the diamond appears to “float” effortlessly within an open, expressive band. The Phoenix collection, on the other hand, combines luxury with artistic jewellery. Perfect geometric structures evoke origami or dahlia flowers. At the stand of the German brand IsabelleFa, gold reigned – the aesthetic of smooth chokers and oversized chains reminded me of late ’80s and early ’90s glamour, yet these designs remain entirely timeless. Last but not least, a visit to the VIP room – an exclusive presentation of Roberto Coin’s novelties on the top floor of the hotel. Even the spectacular view of Lake Geneva didn’t steal the show, as the Italian brand unveiled absolutely stunning new pieces – my favorite, the Venetian Medallions collection, especially the necklace with diamonds and red agate, and, surprisingly, porcelain. Yes, Bone China sets designed as stylish companions to everyday rituals like morning espresso. Another element in the universe of beauty the Italian brand has been creating for years.
Jewellery Geneva is the perfect place to appreciate all the details that define the luxurious quality of design and craftsmanship in top brands’ collections. And for Watches and Wonders regulars, it’s a chance to extend their visit to Geneva with jewellery shopping and… a moment to breathe. Jewellery Geneva will return in 2027 to once again give us the luxury of time to admire brilliance.
