Best of cutting, quality and design - Foto: © Karl Faller, Kirschweiler

INTERGEM 2016 draws in visitors with unique expertise

Idar-Oberstein – the pioneering business platform for the worldwide gemstone community. “The unique expertise of the INTERGEM is based on an outstanding concentration of internationally-renowned companies, specialists and institutions in the immediate area,” declares the fair’s Managing Director, Kai-Uwe Hille. Amongst other features, the fair, which is held this year from 30 September to 3 October, underscores this position with an informative and exciting support and trade programme. For example, there is the “Living Legends” exhibition, in which internationally-renowned local artists such as Manfred Wild, Tom Munsteiner and Helmut Wolf display their masterpieces. Another presentation, entitled “Gemstone Carving”, places a spotlight on the art of the engraver. They too are masters of a craft for which Idar-Oberstein enjoys a worldwide reputation. A further example of the importance of Idar-Oberstein and the fair as its calling card is the Forum Design. Jewellery and gemstone designers display their creative visions here.

In addition, experts at the INTERGEM provide interested visitors with pioneering know-how and practice-oriented solutions for all questions regarding the processing, evaluation and marketing of gemstones. For example, the Deutsche Gemmologische Gesellschaft – German gemological society – is staging a workshop on the “Practical recognition of synthetic diamonds”. Because distinguishing between synthetic stones and diamonds is one of the major challenges facing the diamond sector at this time. The gemological examination is based on several stages, involving microscopy, UV luminescence and spectroscopy. These methods, together with table-top devices developed specifically to employ them, are presented exclusively at the INTERGEM 2016.

The centre of excellence at the fair also features exciting themes. Nsaio6 – new jewellery from Idar-Oberstein, under this motto the students and graduates of the gemstone and jewellery course at Trier University of Applied Sciences in Idar-Oberstein are presenting select pieces at the INTERGEM to mark the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the course. On the stand of BBS Technik Harald-Fissler-Schule Idar-Oberstein third year goldsmith apprentices present their latest pieces, under the motto “Craftsmanship is a golden foundation”.

Above all, however, the INTERGEM remains a fair where leading cutters and traders can offer exclusive gemstones that are scarcely available on the world market. “This density of beautiful and rate items is certainly unique,” says Kai-Uwe Hille. “I don’t know of any other event in Europe that offers such a concentration of rare, high-quality gemstones and gemstone jewellery.” One focal point this year is the range of Paraibas, a much-sought-after tourmaline variety that is becoming increasingly hard to find – but which is included in the range of numerous exhibitors. The support programme at this year’s INTERGEM also focuses on the Paraiba tourmaline. Dr. Claudio Milisenda, Managing Director of the German Foundation for Gemstone Research (DSEF), will present a paper on the Paraiba tourmaline and use a spectrometer to reveal the copper that gives the stone its attractive colour.