HER-JEWELS GEMGENÈVE CITY GUIDE

As a little Swiss girl, I am very proud to show you around the beautiful city of Calvin and its best spots for the jewelry lovers and professionals that you are. Truth be told, this article contains surprisingly very little information about jewelry and a lot about food.

1. First, let’s get you settled! Geneva might be known for its luxury hotels, it does also provide some nice and practical, options:

- If you wish to stay in the city center, I would recommend L’Hotel La Cigogne. Standing in the very heart of the city, you can walk to all your city appointments - 99% of all the local jewelry dealers have their offices within walking distance, walk by the lake and explore the Old City. It is a short walk or bus ride to the train station, which will get you directly to Palexpo where GemGenève is held; alternatively, there is a taxi station down from the hotel.

Even if you do not stay there, I would still recommend a 20 minutes break on the hotel’s terrasse, order the homemade ice-tea and observe the odd ballet of Swiss bankers, international tourists and multi-lingual kids fuel on Starbucks on this mini city square.

- If you need to be at the fair 24/7, I recommend staying at the IBIS - Mention upon your reservation ‘GemGenève’ and you will beneficiate of a special price - You will literally be 100 meters away from GemGenève’s entrance! You are still a short 5 minutes train ride to the city center, which runs every 15 minutes from the airport’s train station.

Now that you dropped your bags, secured your merchandise at custom and got your GemGenève pass, let’s go eat: “A girl got to it eat!”

2. When you say Switzerland, you think cheese. The famous cheese fondue is served all year long in Switzerland not just in winter, the month of May is a great time, not too warm not too cold, to savor your fondue or raclette on a terrasse. Les Armures in the heart of the Old City, is a reference to cheese connoisseurs and an historical landmark, just next to Geneva’s Saint Peter’s Cathedral and around the corner from Christie’s offices.

For a more laidback ambiance, but with the view on Geneva’s famous Jet d’Eau, go to Les Bains des Paquis; there, you can even enjoy a hammam or a swim in the lake!

DaPaolo, in Eaux-Vives, is a staple of the Genevan’s life, no reservation, no fuzz, just good old fashioned homemade pizza made in a traditional wood oven It’s noisy, it’s busy, it’s simply yummy for a late-night dinner with old and new friends in the business. (Swiss opening hours might surprise you so always check in advance.)

For the gastronomes, I would play the novelty card and reserve, in advance, at L'ATELIER ROBUCHON at the Woodward Hotel on the Quai Wilson, with the view on the lake. The two Michelin-starred dining concept, invites you to the culinary delight of Chef Olivier Jean, based on the legendary late Chef Joel Robuchon’s open kitchen theatrical experience. In addition, the hotel bar has a beautiful view on the lake and delicious cocktails to celebrate your success at GemGenève.

You had a long day, you skipped lunch, you want real food, an orecchio d'elefante (giant veal Milanese) with a side of spaghetti alla vodka and a wall of dessert to damn your soul for, go to l’Auberge d’Onex , heaven of earth exists and it is 10 minutes outside of Geneva by car. Treating yourself to a decadent and delicious diner has a price and fair warning its Cash Only!

3. Time for a treat! Some swear by coffee to survive the exciting and rich program of GemGenève, I personally live on sugar, more specifically on Aeur Amandes Princesses. The family-owned chocolatier keeps the receipt of those delicious chocolate covered almonds as a national secret. WARNING I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AEUR AMANDES PRINCESSES’ ADDICTION AND FOR THE FEW EXTRA POUNDS THAT THEY MIGHT CAUSE! My advice, forget about the calories, enjoy the chocolate; anyway, you will walk it off at GemGenève.

4. A picturesque getaway? If you are lucky to have a day off before, during or after the show and you want to wander further outside the city, here’s the perfect program for you. Rent a car, you can do so at the airport, and drive to L’Auberge de Dully, where you will find the best roasted chicken and rösti of Switzerland, bar none. Take a ride along the breathtaking views of the lake and mountains and push all the way to Le Lavaux, UNESCO site, the panorama of the vineries cascading to the blue waters are simply majestic – you may even be treated to some wine-tasting. This magical place will for sure take your mind away from work and may even convince you in moving to Switzerland. We have a very good tax-system.

5. Back at GemGenève, you should include a mandatory stop to my all-time favorite library Booth B10 or going up to their shop in Old Town, Letu Books. The very well-known bookstore houses ‘one of the largest collections of books and catalogues in Jewelry, Photography and Arts from around the world’. This little piece of paradise was founded, in 1973, by the exceptional and generous Mr. Bernard Letu. Alix Ripoll and Julia Cincinatis took over the specialized library a few months ago and are carrying with enthusiasm and energy Letu’s tradition of one on one customer service. Old or new editions, these two ladies can find you your jewelry book’ Holy Grail!

6. For a musical evening why not book a ticket at the Opera? Le Grand Théâtre de Genève, an official partner of GemGenève since 2020, is offering a selection of shows, as well as private tours of the Opera House. Check out their program or register for a lecture at:

https://platform.eventboost.com/e/gemgeneve-5-8-may-2022/31237

7. For my social media butterflies always looking for THE perfect picture, I would catch a ride on a “Mouette”. Those adorable little yellow boats are part of Geneva’s public transportation across the lake. You can buy a one-hour ticket for CHF 3 and navigate from one side of the lake to the other to capture your best Swiss Selfie. There are different routes around the lake, so plenty of opportunities to catch the perfect picture of the Jet d’Eau.

GemGenève hosts some of the greatest minds and specialists on gems and jewelry. It would be a shame not to take the time to listen and participate to the lectures offered during the show.

https://gemgeneve.com/programme/

I will be participating on one of the talks. Please join my talented and bright colleagues and I on the Mezzanine, Friday 6 May from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, to discuss Colors in Gemology. The talk will be held in French: La couleur en gemmologie : nature et culture

You can find me all week at GemGenève and on Social Media to share with you all the treasures and behind the scenes; with a special jewelry challenge at GemGenève via Instagram.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the fair, catching up with old friends and meeting new jewelry lovers!