Tanzanite on Gem Fair in Idar-Oberstein

Emeralds, rubies, diamonds: 180 stones and jewelry exhibitors

More than 180 exhibitors will show up on the Intergem Monday, the latest trends.
Idar-Oberstein. In the showcases it sparkles and shines. Rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds - all precious stones in the world are on the international trade fair for gemstones and gemstone jewelry INTERGEM in Idar-Oberstein (Rheinland-Pfalz) prepared in dozens of shapes and cuts. But the magic of the stones can not hide the fact that the economic crisis has also reached the precious stone industry. "Gems are luxury goods. And you can save on luxury first and foremost, "said the managing director of the Federation of gemstone and diamond industry, Jörg Lindemann, on Friday, the first day of the fair. "Top qualities are still good. What suffers is the middle and lower segments. "

The crisis has hit all firms - some more, others less. Loss of revenue "in the upper double-digit range" are not uncommon. There flap "scissors" on between those who have money and can afford high-quality stones - and the middle segment, the suffering, said the CEO of InterGen, Kai-Uwe Hille.

By hail, the fiscal crisis has companies that are particularly hard in the export road. "Asia is prostrate, lying prostrate U.S.," said Idar-Oberstein gem dealer Constantin Wild, who makes only 10 percent of its sales in Germany - and this year proceeds from minus 40 percent.

Fair gleams as the showcase of the gem trade



The exhibition also shines in her 25 - Despite gloomy shops Year as a "showcase of gem trade": "In this year, most in demand high-quality large colored stones," said Hille. Color-go "the whole range: from the delicate colors of aquamarine beryl over to the bright red tourmaline or rubellite tanzanite blue," added Lindemann. Men will also jewelry from year to year, said Hille. Popular is the combination of gemstones and diamonds with "high tech" materials such as steel.

Show on INTERGEM to Monday around 180 exhibitors to 5500 square feet newest trends in stones and jewelry. 60 percent of the vendors come from the gemstone in the Nahe region. The rest comes from Europe, Australia, Asia and the USA. With its focus on precious stones of agate to zoisite, the fair is unique in Germany.

The most important gemstone center of Europe in the middle of Rhineland-Palatinate

Idar-Oberstein is considered the most important gemstone center of Europe. In the 33 000-inhabitant city of precious stones are cut from around the world. One of the "highlights" of the Mass gemstone artist Manfred Wild baggage with him: an "elephant wedding", he has carved out an eight-pound Brazilian aquamarine.

Seat cushion and canopy are fitted with rubies and diamonds, in the folding seat is disposed a ring. "The elephant is the most beautiful in the world," said Wild, who is top in Idar-Oberstein.