IJS Strengthens Its Position on the Map of Glittering Events – Report from the Istanbul Fair

The goldsmithing tradition of this region is counted in thousands of years. It’s no wonder that Turkey hosts one of the largest and most interesting events for the jewelry industry worldwide. In April 2024, the spring edition of the Istanbul Jewelry Show (IJS) took place. With new branding, an ambitious program, and 1,500 brands from 16 countries, the Turkish fair is growing stronger and has definitely exceeded our expectations.

The jewelry fair in Istanbul has an incredible, unique atmosphere. In Turkey, elements of European, Asian, and North African cultures merge. I feel both at home and exotic here. What particularly captivates me at the IJS is the celebration of the region’s goldsmithing heritage. This theme is excellently presented in the video prepared for the spring edition of the fair – you must see it. The images of antique ornaments used in this montage remind us of the true power of jewelry, which we often write about on Blingsis. Although people, eras, and costumes change and pass, the journey of jewelry and its brilliance continues – I must admit, I had goosebumps listening to this romantic story.

Golden Story

The symbol of the connection between the past, present, and future, as well as the strength of the golden heritage, is the new branding of the fair. A minimalist tulip chalice forms into a crown where a diamond is set (fun fact: the tulip is a symbol of Istanbul). IJS is now one of the top five largest jewelry fairs in the world! This scale means not only the quantity – of guests (the number of visitors increased by 8% compared to the autumn edition), brands, and collections but primarily – diversity. In the fair halls, I could discover the intricate works of local brands, as well as meet exhibitors from the Middle East or Asia. At the fair, in line with the specialization of the Turkish industry, gold jewelry dominated. The opulence of some designs was literally stunning – on my IG stories, you can see the spectacular sparklers I had the chance to try on and view in Istanbul. Many discoveries awaited me in the young talents zone – a promising Turkish brand BAYMİŞ made it to my top; its beautiful sparklers are exquisite and modern, the designer clearly targets her offer to young stylish jewellery lovers.

Turkish Hospitality

Throughout my stay at the IJS, I experienced the charm of Turkish hospitality. Participants and exhibitors were royally welcomed. The organizers put a lot of effort into preparing the setting of the event and the socio-cultural program. The highlight was an elegant gala with an awards ceremony in the fair contest – featuring a live concert and dance performances with jewelry in the leading role – all at the highest level. A novelty and a godsend for such busy jewellery lovers as myself was the media room – a place where I could arrange a meeting, browse jewelry magazines, or… charge my phone (with such intense content production, it was essential!). Congratulations to the organizing team for a classy and inspiring event. The autumn edition of IJS is just a few months away – the next fair will be held on October 2-5.