The Land of Shining Legends — A Preview of the 57th IJS Istanbul Jewelry Show

8 April 2025

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The Istanbul Jewelry Show has long secured its place in the glittering calendar of Agata Jankowiak, founder of Blingsis. Between April 16-19, 2025, the city of two continents will once again become the world’s jewelry capital as the 57th edition of IJS Istanbul Jewelry Show unfolds at the Istanbul Expo Center — the region’s most significant industry event and a true celebration of Turkey’s exceptional goldsmithing heritage. This spring’s edition will not only celebrate tradition but also spotlight the future of jewelry design — most notably through the highly anticipated Jewellery Design Competition, which honours emerging talent and contemporary creativity.

Today, Turkey ranks firmly among the world’s top gold jewelry markets and manufacturers, alongside India, China, the USA, and Russia. This rich heritage of craftsmanship is at the very core of IJS, whose mission is to foster the growth of the local industry, promote Turkish brands and talent, and strengthen international business relations. With a remarkably international profile, IJS continues to attract industry professionals from across the globe. The previous edition welcomed over 30,000 visitors from 139 countries — a number expected to grow even further this April.

Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow

In Istanbul, bridges are never just physical — they’re symbolic. Here, Europe meets Asia, tradition meets innovation, and heritage meets future trends. Nowhere is this intersection more tangible than at IJS, an event designed to address the full spectrum of the jewelry industry. From gemstones, diamonds, and raw materials to packaging and fine jewelry collections — the show offers a comprehensive overview of the sector. Turkish jewelry design in particular stands out for its diversity, craftsmanship, and impeccable quality. Honouring tradition here does not mean standing still — on the contrary, Turkish brands have an exceptional ability to capture and interpret global trends. This spring, silver jewelry will take center stage at IJS — an increasingly dynamic and fast-growing sector in Turkey. Silver is not only gaining traction in fashion and consumer interest but also as a rising investment category. The pulse of the future will also be felt during the highly anticipated trend forecasting seminar led by experts from WGSN — the world’s leading trend agency.

Celebrating Talents and Legends

The highlight of the upcoming IJS edition will be the exhibition and award ceremony of the 15th Jewellery Design Competition — a prestigious contest promoting the new wave of contemporary Turkish jewelry designers. The theme for this year’s edition is “Legends” — inviting participants to create sparkling designs inspired by extraordinary stories of regional myths, historical figures, and legendary events. These powerful narratives form an integral part of Turkey’s rich cultural landscape — and the competition is a rare opportunity to see how these stories are reimagined by today’s emerging jewelry talents. For us at Blingsis, this edition feels particularly special — Agata Jankowiak, our founder, has been invited to join the jury of the Jewellery Design Competition! The final gala and award ceremony will take place on April 18th at IJS — and we cannot wait to celebrate the creativity, imagination, and talent of all finalists.

See you in Istanbul!