A Gleaming Melting Pot – Crowds Flock to the Spring Edition of IJS Istanbul Jewelry Show

Jewelry fairs in one of the world’s most important goldsmith regions have been a must-have on my calendar for several seasons now. From April 16 to 19, I was one of the 31,459 visitors at the IJS Istanbul Jewelry Show – a prestigious event that draws professionals from around the globe and sets the tone for the sparkling industry in Turkey and the Middle East.

On April 16, as the ribbon cutting symbolically opened the 57th edition of the IJS Istanbul Jewelry Show, gold prices once again hit a record high for the year. Global economic turbulence was on everyone’s lips. Many booths reflected how the jewelry sector is responding to market shifts – plating 14-karat gold with 22-karat, creating lighter pieces while preserving bold volume – just a few of the strategies employed by producers aiming to maintain competitive pricing for gold jewelry. Nevertheless, as David Brough noted in his analysis, buyers from key export markets like the Gulf and Middle East seemed undeterred by rising gold prices. Market uncertainty did not dim the excitement or turnout in Istanbul.

Global Reach, Local Strength

IJS continues to gain momentum, once again breaking attendance records with a 4% increase over the previous edition, welcoming more than 31,000 professionals. The crowds were impossible to miss – the aisles between booths were packed, as captured in the IJS recap video. Over 1,500 companies and brands participated. Visitors represented 129 countries, with the event’s local impact also growing – a 14% increase in domestic attendees was reported. Beyond Turkey, the most represented countries were: Iran, India, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, the UAE, Lebanon, Russia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iraq, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco, the USA, Germany, Uzbekistan, and Italy. International prestige, record-breaking local reach, and an uncompromising focus on quality. The fair’s infrastructure improves with each edition – more elaborate, design-forward booths emerge. The takeaway? Brands see the value in investing in standout displays at IJS because they understand how crucial this presence at Istanbul Expo Center is for their business.

Winning Legends

I documented the jewelry highlights I encountered at IJS for you on Instagram, but the fair offered much more than just brand booths and exhibitions. The organizers ensured thought-provoking discussions and educational content – among the highlights was a trend forecast lecture by renowned agency WGSN. I had the pleasure of speaking on the panel “Influencer Session: Social Media and Sustainable Strategies to Grow Your Brand”, led by the incomparable David Brough, alongside fellow professionals Prernaa Makhariaa and Shohista Turdiyeva. But what I looked forward to the most was the gala and the announcement of the winners of the International Jewellery Design Competition, where I served as a juror! The theme of the 15th edition was local legends, and the winners truly outdid themselves with creativity and craftsmanship. You’ll find a summary of the results in this post – once again, congratulations to all the winners – you are legends! The autumn edition of the IJS Istanbul Jewelry Show is already marked with a golden exclamation point in my calendar – see you October 1–4 in Turkey!