Exclusive Interview with Ronny Totah – Behind the Brilliance of GemGenève
Portrait of Ronny Totah, co-founder of GemGenève
Explore how Ronny Totah has shaped the international Gem & Jewellery Show into a premier event
The ultra-luxury jewelry exhibition, GemGenève, has become synonymous with elegance, rarity, and innovation. At the heart of this event is co-founder Ronny Totah, whose passion and vision have transformed the show into a beacon of excellence in the world of precious stones. In an exclusive interview, Totah delves into his personal journey, the essence of GemGenève, and the future trends of gemstone investments.
A Journey Rooted in Family Legacy
Can you tell us about your background and how you started in the gemstone and diamond industry? "After studying civil engineering, I joined my father’s company, initially just to help out during tough times. I was drawn to the industry and loved its customer-centric spirit," recalls Totah. His dedication and deep understanding of the market soon paved the way for the inception of GemGenève, a project born out of a desire to serve both clients and exhibitors uniquely and authentically.
The Vision for GemGenève: A Paradigm Shift
As an organizer, what is your vision for GEM Genève and what impact do you hope to have on the gemstone and diamond market? "It’s interesting because it follows from what I said earlier. It was really about wanting to be useful to the client, to meet the market's needs. In fact, it was a way to give back to the gemstone field. The idea was to create a show where exhibitors and organizers spoke the same language. In other shows, the organizers and exhibitors don’t always understand each other. We really have the ability to put ourselves in the place of the clients and exhibitors because we are from the trade.
When we started, we didn’t even realize the magnitude of what we were undertaking. We just wanted to make a success of that first edition, without imagining that the show would meet such success. We had very little chance of succeeding, no means, no employees, the average age of the two co-founders was 70… Against Baselworld, Hong Kong, Las Vegas… But we knew we wanted to do something different."
Creating an Unmatched Experience
How does GEM Genève differentiate itself from other jewelry shows to offer an exceptional experience to an exclusive audience? "As I mentioned earlier, we are from the trade and can truly put ourselves in the client's shoes, which is crucial. Another key point is that since we have our trades and this is not our primary activity, we are not like other shows that seek to make money at all costs. If we seek to make money, we will not always prioritize quality, promoting schools, artists… The quality decreases. For us, the most important thing is everything that happens besides the commercial aspect, everything we do for the industry. No competitor can do something like this because it involves giving up profitability."
The Importance for Investors and Collectors
How important is GEM Genève for gemstone and diamond investors and collectors? "The advantage for investors is that they have the opportunity to meet exhibitors who will welcome them kindly, see a lot of different people, compare, get maximum information, and see an exceptional range of stones. Moreover, there are all the fields of knowledge provided by the show. I think the atmosphere here is special, and people are more available."
Current Trends in Diamond Investment
What current trends do you observe in diamond investment? "I must admit that I find it difficult to talk about investment in diamonds because I think I am not the right person for it. Why? For me, an investment is something in which one can invest, sell at a profit or a loss, and stop the loss. Like gold, it’s liquid, one can manage it. But diamonds, if it goes up, it’s easy to sell, but when it goes down, selling becomes more difficult. That’s where I have difficulty with the term investment for white diamonds. The only place where it can be interesting is in Indonesia. When the currency collapsed, they bought diamonds as a safe haven expressed in USD.
But colored diamonds are different. When one wants to resell a white diamond when the market goes down, one can find another. But a colored diamond is rarer. If you have an exceptional colored diamond, even if the market goes down, its uniqueness and rarity will ensure you manage to resell it.
As for trends, in recent years, we have observed different cycles. For example, many people had lost confidence in banks and turned to alternative investments like diamonds, and the market soared. Since Asia has been somewhat disturbed, many people are looking to diversify their investment portfolios."
Future Trends and Prospects
What predictions would you make regarding future trends in the gemstone and diamond market, and what are your future plans for GEM Genève? "What I would like is for it to continue in the same tone and atmosphere. That we do not forget how and why we did it and why it was successful. And not to believe it is a given. I think if we maintain this idea of serving exhibitors and visitors as best as possible, we will be fine. The most important thing is the quality and the visitors' experience."
GemGenève 2024 – A Showcase of Excellence
The eighth edition of GemGenève, held in May 2024, was a testament to the show's ongoing success and innovation. With 244 exhibitors from 22 countries, the event set a new record and welcomed 3,566 visitors, showcasing a vibrant blend of heritage and contemporary artistry. The Designers’ Village, curated by Nadège Totah, featured ten promising designers and highlighted exceptional pieces like Alicia Stanska's haute-couture dress adorned with over 110,000 Swarovski crystals. Additionally, the "Flames of Opal Essence" exhibition, curated by Mathieu Dekeukelaire, provided a mesmerizing exploration of opals, supported by esteemed institutions and private collections.
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