By Karen Nuckols
More than 30 years ago, 26 “rebels” persuaded the gem dealers and carvers from around Idar-Oberstein in germany to hold a trade show which, they said, would benefit themselves and the region. they envisioned a show where buyers could come together to purchase goods from a variety firms, offering a wide range of products
-
- INTERGEM logo in gems by Constantin Wild
Why were the original show organizers considered to be “rebels?” Prior to the show’s start in 1984, business in the region was conducted under near-secret conditions. There was little interaction between dealers and it was difficult to imagine doing business out in the open with other firms. But, that all changed three decades ago with the creation of the first INTERGEM show.
-
- Jutta Munsteiner
Clearly, the show was a success because, in 2014, it celebrated its 30th anniversary. On opening day, October 3, over 1,100 buyers were treated to top gemstones, carvings, jewellery, and other products featured by 130 vendors, and by the end of the threeday event, 3,500 visitors had attended, up 500 from last year.
-
- Groh + Ripp
Although INTERGEM is a small show by industry standards—intentionally—it is known around the world. It is also instrumental to the continued success of the artisans in the Idar-Oberstein region who cherish a 500- year tradition of fine cutting, carving, and jewellery making.
-
- Tomo Karono / E.W. Schreiber Jewellers
During the 30th anniversary ceremony held in the foyer of the exhibition hall, Malu Dreyer, Prime Minister of the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate stated, “INTERGEM is a very special flagship for the region and for Rhineland-Palatinate as a whole. The trade fair and the industry display special characteristics that give them a unique position worldwide.” She applauded the foresight and courage of the organizers who made their vision come true 30 years ago, and urged participants to continue to work to make the fair even better. Jöchen Miller, president of the Diamond and Gemstone Bourse in Idar-Oberstein noted, “INTERGEM is a brilliant PR event for Idar-Oberstein and the industry, and has a much greater significance than many people might think.” Bruno Zimmer, Lord Mayor, observed, “Visitors from all over the world treasure INTERGEM as an exclusive showcase window.”
-
- Petra Schwinn
And, indeed this showcase attracted visitors from around the world. Heike Faller from Karl Faller said, “We had visitors from the USA, Great Britain, China, Portugal, and Spain.” Konrad Henn, chairman of INTERGEM Messe GmbH, was pleased to report that more international visitors came to the show this year than last, “some from as far away as Dubai and the USA.”
-
- Daniela Becker
Once a show only for regional exhibitors who belonged to the Intergem Club, INTERGEM has expanded its range to include companies from the world over. An exhibitor’s provenance no longer matters, but the quality of their goods does, and they must be approved. While most exhibitors were from Germany, there were a few notable exceptions, such as Root of Power, owned by Japanese world champion cutter Tomo Karono, and his wife, Sachiko Sasaki. They have been exhibiting for several years and find the show a great opportunity to showcase both faceted stones and finished jewellery. A unique pair of earrings caught our eye. One earring featured a faceted peridot while the other was an amethyst, both set with diamonds. The stones were cut by Karono and set by E. W. Schreiber, a German jeweller.
Several original “rebel” exhibitors marked the anniversary by displaying unique stones or objets d’art. Constantin Wild showcased a suite of over 30 stones matching the INTERGEM logo as a prize to a lucky show visitor.
-
- Helmut Wolf
Wild & Petsch won a “Best of Show” award for its Paraiba tourmalines set in the shape of the original show logo. Also a “Best of Show” winner, Helmut Wolf, who returned to the show after a several-year absence, displayed a lapis lazuli bowl with a natural stone rim he carved from a 345 kg rough stone. Even though business slowed after the first day, most vendors seemed to be pleased with the results of the show. Heike Faller commented, “We recorded a higher demand for fine individual stones.” And, stated Nicole Ripp from Groh + Ripp, “For us, the show was very profitable. The interest in natural-coloured, high-quality, exceptional stones is higher than ever.”
-
- Stanislav Drokin
In the end, the success of INTERGEM centres on the service the dealers provide. Achim Grimm of Hermann Grimm KG explained, “It’s all about building relationships. Seeing customers face to face is best. Anticipating what the customer will want and providing quality stones at good prices is all part of what we do.” Nicole Grimm, third-generation family member at Groh + Ripp, agreed, “Most important are trust and relationships both between our customers and us and between our suppliers and us. Staff members of our suppliers are also third generation or more so we have known each other for a long time. That is important when establishing transparency.”
