In collaboration with gemologist Marine Bouvier, the Institut de Bijouterie de Saumur, and the Royal Belgian Gemmological Society, GemGenève hosted this year a photomicrography exhibition for the first time. An innovative gemological experience aimed at revealing, to the visitors, the beauty of gemstones in an unusual way.
The contest aimed to transform what is observed under the microscope into artistic material by taking unique and surprising photos that reveal the shapes, textures, and infinite colors of gems. A new perspective on the discipline of gemology that combines the pedagogical and Cartesian dimension of science with the emotional value that art can evoke.
The task of the participating students in this first contest was to capture the beauty of minerals through a new artistic approach, with the goal of sublimating the splendor of the inclusions and colors of precious stones. After the selection process among about 20 participants, the awards were finally assigned to the students from the partner schools of the event during the GemGenève May 2024 edition.
Presided over by the director of GemGenève, Mathieu Dekeukelaire, the GemGenève Awards ceremony honored the most creative projects presented at the photomicrography contest.
For the “People’s Choice” award, the joint winners were Annaëlle Le Fur with “The Icefall” and Charlotte Schoonjans with “Exhale”.
Élodie Racinet won the “Technical Achievement” award with the photograph “Paillettes de fleuves” (‘River glitter’).
For the “Artistic Achievement” award, Laurette Sauvain was honored with “Reviviscence”.
Amélie Snyers was nominated for the “Favorite Work” award with the photograph “Under the Deep Blue See”.
In addition to being an international commercial event, GemGenève was also conceived by the organizers as a place for meeting and exchanging ideas for young people oriented towards a career in the jewelry industry. GemGenève is firmly committed to building authentic and sustainable relationships with the designers and artisans of tomorrow, supporting them daily in the long term.
