The prestigious Baselworld watch and jewelry trade show officially launched under its new brand name in 2003, though the history of the show dates back for nearly a century (the first “Schweizer Mustermesse Basel” was held in 1917 with a special section for watches and jewelry). The prestigious European show faces competition – or perhaps complimentary offerings – from two new kids on the block, the Diamond Show and Jewellery & Gem Fair – Europe, both of which were launched in 2014. So which of these shows hold the most attraction for Israeli diamond companies, as well as their prospective clients?
Baselworld, taking place between March 19 and 26 at Messe Basel, focuses on the watch and jewelry industry, while also promoting itself as an event for diamonds, gemstones and pearls. About 1,500 brands from some 40 countries are participating in the show which covers some 141,000 square meters.
Some of the Israeli diamond companies exhibiting at Baselworld include A.A. Rachminov Diamonds Ltd (hall 3.0 stand D07), Andre Messika (hall 3.0 stand D11), BSM Diamonds (hall 3.1 stand F29), DN Diamonds (hall 3.0 stand A31), Dany Avlas (hall 3.1 stand E11), Eshed Diam-Gemstar (hall 3.0 stand C31), Gil Kimchi Diamonds (hall 3.1 stand F09), Korn Diamonds (hall 3.1 stand E11), MID House of Diamonds (hall 3.1 stand B07), Novel Collection (hall 3.0 stand D13), Rachminov Diamonds 1891 Ltd. (hall 3.0 stand B25), S.E. Barbi Diamonds (hall 3.1 stand B27), Vulcan & Co. (hall 3.0 stand E11), and Yondor Diamonds (hall 3.0 stand B32). Other Israeli companies at the show include Itai Noy, which specializes in fine watches, and Yvel, whose focus is on pearls.
The Diamond Show is dedicated to diamonds and diamond jewelry, and features some 70 diamond companies from around the world. The four day show (March 19, 20, 22 and 23 and closed for Shabbat) is organized by Rapaport Ltd. and is located just minutes away from the Basel SBB train station and less than a 10 minute drive from Messe Basel, from where it offers a continuous shuttle buses service.
Israeli diamond companies at the show include Appelbaum Diamonds (booth C1), Ariel Weltsch (booth E2), Avi Paz Fancy Ltd.(booth B8), Broide Eliezer Diamonds (booth D6), Ema Diamonds (booth A6), L.J. Diamonds PR Ltd (booth F8), Leibish & Co. Ltd (booth C3), LLD Diamonds Ltd (residence I), Red Diam Ltd (booths D4-D5), S. Schnitzer Diamonds (booths A2-A3), Sarine Technologies (sponsor table 4), and Shlomo Bichachi Diamond Group (booth E1). Other companies at the show come from India, the United States, Belgium and elsewhere.
Also launched in 2014 was Jewellery & Gem Fair – Europe (JGF Europe) which will be held in Messe Freiburg, Germany, from 22 to 25 March 2015 this year. The show positions itself as an ‘effective B2B mid-end jewelry sourcing platform for continental Europe’. Freiburg is a city in southwest Germany and located about half an hour from Basel. Just like the Diamond Show, the organizers of JGF Europe are offering a free shuttle bus service throughout the fair’s four-day run.
JGF Europe features about 440 exhibitors from across the globe (though over 60% of the exhibitors come from Europe) and offers a wide range of quality jewelry and related products, including diamonds, gemstones, pearls, fine finished jewelry, as well as packaging, tools and equipment.
More than 6,000 jewelry professionals attended the launch event in 2014. This year the show has added another hall to accommodate additional exhibitors and will cover some 19,000 square meters.
As of February 2015, almost 2,400 buyers had pre-registered for the show. Among groups of buyer delegations from China, Brazil, Italy, Russia and the United Kingdom, some 40 delegates are from the Israel Jewelry Manufacturers Association.
The following diamond companies from Israel are exhibiting at the show: Afic Diamonds Limited (Hall 1 – 4 booth 4B19), H. Stark & Co Ltd (Hall 1 – 4 booth 4C22), T.O.C. The Excellent Make (Hall 1 – 4 booth 4B11) and Taroz Ltd (Hall 1 – 4 booth 4A18).
While the United States and Hong Kong remain Israel’s primary diamond export destinations, European destinations including Belgium, Switzerland and England account for a significant share of Israel’s polished diamond exports, accounting for over US$1 billion worth of exports.
