The Istanbul Jewelry Show concluded recently in Istanbul and it was the 56th edition of the world’s #5 Gem and Jewelry fair. Istanbul is known for its lightweight jewelry, trendy designs and modern technology which was evident in the show. I was a part of the mega event and here is what I discovered this year!
The Istanbul Jewelry Show is the No. 1 fair that establishes and strengthens trade relations between the Middle East and Europe. The 4-day event was attended by manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, suppliers, exporters and designers of the jewelry industry. It was a grand success paving the way to new trends and progress in the world of gems and jewelry.
I saw this beautiful piece that truly combined the old and new with sass and grace. This necklace was a part of the ‘Marrakech’ collection by Roberto Bravo which featured the beauty of malachites set in 14K gold.
Jewelry mountings are becoming increasingly popular amongst manufacturers. The Sade Is booth had many new designs and styles that were admired by all. Made from semi-precious metals, these mountings become a strong framework for jewels and hold the precious stones and gems in place.
The manufacturing technique of electroplating results in stunning lightweight jewelry and is a speciality of Istanbul. Some of the gold jewelry pieces I saw were magnificent and grand but surprisingly light and sturdy. My favourite creation was a two-piece gold dress that truly defined glamor!
Turkey is known for being an industry leader in technology and allied machinery. I was amazed at the machines that were on display, especially the ones that mass-manufactured gold and silver balls out of plain wires.
The Istanbul Jewelry Show had some insightful panels and seminars and I was honoured to be a part of a panel too and discuss “Jewelry Design Trends in the Upcoming Seasons” along with Agata Jankowiak, Bebe Bakhshi, Shohista Turdiyeva and David Brough. We discussed the emerging trends in jewelry, the future of laboratory-grown gemstones and the inspiration for designs.
At the Kocak booth, I indulged in my two passions, premium coffee and precious carats. Both these creations from Istanbul have always wowed me; one with its aroma and the other with its unique cuts, fancy colors and minimalist designs.
The diamond jewelry collection at the IJS was a delight of dazzle, literally. Minimalist designs and colorful gemstones were the popular choices among the attendees. I personally loved the Flexi collection by Cashmera which was as soft and light as a feather and sported more than 150 carats of diamonds in the set.
The Istanbul Jewelry Show saw record-breaking footfall and business in 4 days which was full of innovation and inspiration. The show highlighted the regional culture and impact and the influence of the Islamic faith on the technique and designs of jewelry. I learnt a lot and shared a lot in this show and am looking forward to more of Istanbul in the next edition.