Thousands of people attended the opening of Inhorgenta Europe 2010 in Munich’s trade fair center, Messe Munich. The innovative jewelry and watches designs were available not only in the dozens of booths, but also on the exhibitors and the elegantly adorned women presenters. A friend visiting the show, who owns an independent jewelry export business, told me she had never seen so many fur coats and large, bejeweled accessories before. 

Inhorgenta Europe 2010‘s main sponsor was Danish jeweler Pandora, which sported mass attendance throughout the six-room exhibition. The room that appealed to me the most was the design hall, which included the Innovation Forum, Concepts Forum, Forum Silversmiths, “Brand New – New Brand,” booth  and the Silver Summer Gallery themed restaurant.

Among the luxury diamond, gems and crystal studded jewelry, one could also see the latest in jewelry design and setting equipment innovations, as well as the latest in packaging and raw materials. 

  The design hall featured small, veteran companies alongside young designers showcasing unique jewels, each expressing their own style. It was a good look at the future generation’s take on the jewelry industry and on how it affects the new spring lines. Smaller labels, on the other hand, tend to be more conservative in their designs, evolving at their own pace, which is sometimes removed from the definition of “seasons.” The luxury jewelry halls proved a favorite among visitors. Here too, Pandora, whose booths included traditional Bavarian musicians and an open bar, reigned supreme.

Sections of the hall were set aside for sales meetings between retailers and wholesalers.  Swarovski also had a prominent presence, dazzling visitors with its new collection.

Smaller jewelers, who focus on the European market – mainly in Germany, Switzerland, France and Scandinavia – also commanded attention. Many of the presenters said that they were happy with the figures noted during the last holiday season, adding they were optimistic as to this year’s potential performance.

Alongside the exhibition, Inhorgenta Europe 2010 also hosted several important panels. One of the meetings, held by the Diamond Commission of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), used the scene to vote on amendments pertaining to the descriptive terms of industrial diamonds.

The Diamond Commission decided to accept definitions other than "synthetic" for diamonds grown in a non-natural setting. Diamond Commission President Udi Sheintal said that the decision was the result of long and continuous discussion with all stakeholders. Over the next two week I’ll be bringing you interviews with boutique, local and international jewelry designers I met during the show.

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