Programme

Fair insights into Sri Lanka’s jewellery and gemstone industry

The idea of organising seminars in Sri Lanka, where participants can familiarise themselves with jewellery production and gemstone mines, came from the Facebook group ” Schmuckdesign und Goldschmiedekunst ”  (Jewellery Design and Goldsmithing).

In this context, Ralf G. Schröder will be offering an exciting seminar on ‘Fair trade and sustainability in the jewellery and gemstone industry, using Sri Lanka as an example’.

Britta Schwalm, a recent participant, will join Ralf for a fireside chat to share her experiences.

Who? Ralf G. Schröder und Britta Schwalm
Where? Special Area ‘The regular’s table’ | ground floor stand 61

Open to all, booking not required | flexible timeslot without fixed start and end time

THIS YEAR’S MOTTO: ‘The magic of tourmaline – a gemstone at the heart of creation’

This year we are again delighted to be awarding THE GOLDEN NOVA at the start of the INOVA COLLECTION, on the first day of the fair. This competition offers the next generation of talent the opportunity not only to reach a broad trade audience with their creations but also to make a successful entrance into the industry.

Our high calibre panel of experts has selected the three best jewellery pieces from all of those nominated. The lucky winners will be announced at the official prizegiving ceremony, where they will be awarded valuable prizes in cash and materials.

Where? ‘THE GOLDEN NOVA’ Award Area | Upper floor stand 223

Open to all, booking not required

WE’D LIKE YOUR OWN VOTE, TOO!

Visit the Award Area and vote for your favourite. The winner of the public prize will receive a space free of charge at the INOVA COLLECTION 2026.

Masterly precision: Live workshop with stonesetter Georgios Tsagalidis

Experience at first hand the fascinating art of the stonesetter!

Georgios Tsagalidis, an experienced stonesetter with over 25 years’ professional history and training at the renowned school of goldsmithery in Pforzheim, demonstrates live at his stand the precise technique of setting diamonds and coloured gemstones.

Take the opportunity to look over the shoulder of an expert and learn more about the demanding craft of stonesetting. A must for all jewellery-lovers and those with an interest in the profession!

Who? Georgios Tsagalidis
Where? upper floor stand 242

Open to all, booking not required

Update 2025 – Training reform in the goldsmith and silversmith trade

The new training regulations for these trades will come into force on 1 August 2025. The revised ordinance reflects the current requirements of the trade, redefining content, skills, and training objectives.

What specific changes have been made? What should companies, trainers and trainees be aware of? How should existing apprenticeship contracts be handled?

Michael Seubert, President of the „Zentralverband der Deutschen Gold- und Silberschmiede e.V.“ (Central Association of German Goldsmiths and Silversmiths), will answer these questions and provide all the information you need about the new training regulations.

Who? Michael Seubert | President of the „Zentralverbands der Deutschen Goldschmiede und Silberschmiede e.V.“ (Central Association of German Goldsmiths and Silversmiths)
Where? Special Area ‘The regular’s table’ | ground floor stand 61

Open to all, booking not required

Prompts for practitioners – how to use AI like a pro

Artificial intelligence has long since become part of everyday working life, including in the jewellery industry. But how can you use AI tools sensibly and efficiently without prior technical knowledge?

This workshop provides a practical introduction to using AI that is easy to understand and implement. You will learn how to achieve the best results with targeted input, or ‘prompts’, whether for sales, organisation or communication.

Using concrete examples from everyday sales work, you will see how AI can be a real help. There will be no technical jargon, just lots of ‘aha’ moments.

Who? Matthias Garten | graduate business computer scientist and expert in
generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Where? Meeting room 4

Pre-registration for this workshop is optional.
You can participate on the day without registering, subject to availability.

You can reserve a place for a specific participant on request:

PUK WELDING – TECHNOLOGY THAT SETS STANDARDS

In this valuable free workshop, Rudolf Flume Technik GmbH will tell you and your colleagues everything you need to know about PUK welding! After an introduction to the theory, you can apply what you have learnt directly, in a wide-ranging practical session.

Theory session – approx. 20-30 minutes

• Welding techniques in general
• Working with different metals
• Machine design and functions
• Operating controls and their functions
• Working under the microscope

Practical session – approx. 75-90 minutes

• Initial weld spots and the five most important rules
• Correct tool attachment
• Creating weldseams
• Welding eyelets

Who? Marc Halten | Rudolf Flume Technik GmbH
Where? Meeting room 1

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN THIS WORKSHOP IS LIMITED.

If you are interested, please register for the workshop by 31 July 2025 at latest using the following form:

Participation places are allocated according to availability. We will inform you as soon as possible whether we can confirm your participation request.

Realising large projects for solo freelancers the right way

A very special commission: goldsmith Hans Möschl was commissioned to produce a complete nativity scene with gold figures, some of which were adorned with precious gemstones. It took many years to complete this project.

In this fireside chat, he talks about the challenges involved in such a large-scale project and offers tips to other self-employed people on how to handle unusual commissions. He also discusses how the Facebook group network has helped him.

Who? Hans Möschl
Where? Special Area ‘The regular’s table’ | ground floor stand 61

Open to all, booking not required | flexible timeslot without fixed start and end time

INOVA NIGHT 2025 – WHERE THE entire ‘WHO’S WHO’ OF THE SECTOR GETS TOGETHER

First-class food, cool drinks and inspiring lounge music – you can find it all at INOVA NIGHT in the Messecenter Hofheim Rhein-Main. Enjoy a relaxed evening in pleasant company while you make valuable business contacts in a summery atmosphere.

Exhibitors, trade visitors, media representatives and industry associations are all invited. Look forward to a special kind of networking party – on no account should you miss this event.

Where? Messecenter Hofheim Rhein-Main | INOVA NIGHT Outdoor Lounge

Open to all, booking not required

From master goldsmith to sworn expert

Susanne Pirsig is a publicly appointed and sworn expert, recognised by both the IHK and the HWK Münster for her work with diamonds, pearls, jewellery, and gold and silver jewellery, as well as for her expertise in the goldsmith and silversmith trade.

In this fireside chat, she discusses the challenges of her profession, the urgent need for new talent in the industry, and her own journey from master goldsmith to sworn expert.

Who? Susanne Pirsig
Where? Special Area ‘The regular’s table’ | ground floor stand 61

Open to all, booking not required | flexible timeslot without fixed start and end time

PUK WELDING – TECHNOLOGY THAT SETS STANDARDS

In this valuable free workshop, Rudolf Flume Technik GmbH will tell you and your colleagues everything you need to know about PUK welding! After an introduction to the theory, you can apply what you have learnt directly, in a wide-ranging practical session.

Theory session – approx. 20-30 minutes

• Welding techniques in general
• Working with different metals
• Machine design and functions
• Operating controls and their functions
• Working under the microscope

Practical session – approx. 75-90 minutes

• Initial weld spots and the five most important rules
• Correct tool attachment
• Creating weldseams
• Welding eyelets

Who? Marc Halten | Rudolf Flume Technik GmbH
Where? Meeting room 1

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN THIS WORKSHOP IS LIMITED.

If you are interested, please register for the workshop by 31 July 2025 at latest using the following form:

Participation places are allocated according to availability. We will inform you as soon as possible whether we can confirm your participation request.

Warning: beware of fraud! How to spot and avoid current scams in online and mail-order retail

Imagine this: a customer orders an expensive piece of jewellery, pays on time, the shipment is insured – and yet, as the retailer, you’re the one left to cover the loss.

Why? Because fraudsters are becoming ever more sophisticated – and many of their tricks seem completely harmless at first glance.

In this practical presentation, Martin Curtz from Parcel Broker sheds light on common scams in the shipping of high-value jewellery and uses real-life cases to show how you can effectively protect your business.

Who? Martin Curtz | Parcel Broker GmbH
Where? Meeting room 4

Open to all, booking not required

The role of Fair Trade Minerals & Gems e.V. in the gemstone and jewellery industry

What role does the Fair Trade Minerals & Gems e.V. association play in the gemstone and jewellery industry? In this fireside chat, we take a look at the association’s work to date, its prospects and its vision for the future.

What incentives does membership offer – and are incentives and benefits for members even the purpose of a non-profit association? We also highlight the importance of certification by the association and present existing opportunities.

Who? Michael Vogt, Dagmar Fleck-Kopf and other guests
Where? Special Area ‘The regular’s table’ | ground floor stand 61

Open to all, booking not required | flexible timeslot without fixed start and end time

Not advertising but telling stories – strategic storytelling in the jewellery industry

Authentic storytelling is growing in importance – in the jewellery sector too, where emotions, values and identity play a major part. But what does it actually mean and who should I talk to about it?

You’ll find out in this presentation, where our media partner scope Marketing demonstrates, with real-life examples from the jewellery sector, what makes a ‘strong story’, how to address your target group directly and what social media formats and tools are suitable for the purpose.

Who? Leonie Busse & Martin Boger | scope Marketing
Where? Meeting room 4

Open to all, booking not required

The skill of buying antique gold – identifying fakes easily!

In this practical workshop you can strengthen your professional skills when buying antique gold, and learn how to recognise fakes reliably.

The workshop begins with a brief look at the latest trends and how prices are changing in the gold market. You then learn how to enhance your skill at buying antique gold and to reliably identify fakes. You will familiarise yourself with practical methods for checking authenticity, pick up insights into typical features of imitations, and deepen your understanding of testing equipment and sensory techniques.

The aim is to make the buying process more efficient, certain and professional – leading to greater confidence among your customers and higher earnings from trading in precious metals.

Who? Camille Burger | Dr. Bernhard Burger AG
Where? Meeting room 1 

Open to all, booking not required

Graphic collection ‘Stern’

He inspires the community with new designs two to three times a month. Stefan Stern collects and archives drawings by goldsmiths from different eras. His ‘Stern Graphic Collection’ now comprises around 150,000 designs by over 600 designers.

In this fireside chat, he shares fascinating insights into his collection and discusses the challenges of preserving the drawings, as well as how he discovers new works.

Who? Stefan Stern
Where? Special Area ‘The regular’s table’ | ground floor stand 61

Open to all, booking not required | flexible timeslot without fixed start and end time

Masterly precision: Live workshop with stonesetter Georgios Tsagalidis

Experience at first hand the fascinating art of the stonesetter!

Georgios Tsagalidis, an experienced stonesetter with over 25 years’ professional history and training at the renowned school of goldsmithery in Pforzheim, demonstrates live at his stand the precise technique of setting diamonds and coloured gemstones.

Take the opportunity to look over the shoulder of an expert and learn more about the demanding craft of stonesetting. A must for all jewellery-lovers and those with an interest in the profession!

Who? Georgios Tsagalidis
Where? upper floor stand 242

Open to all, booking not required

From system change to style icon

Stefan Todorov is a designer and goldsmith who teaches at a school in Arnstadt. He has received numerous awards for his unusual designs, which are characterised by his willingness to experiment with materials.

However, his journey has not been without its challenges: having grown up under a socialist regime, he was nearing the end of his training as a goldsmith in the GDR when the Wall came down, bringing with it a host of changes.

In this fireside chat, he talks about his life and his sometimes challenging career.

Who? Stefan Todorov
Where? Special Area ‘The regular’s table’ | ground floor stand 61

Open to all, booking not required | flexible timeslot without fixed start and end time

Sustainability in the jewellery industry – living responsibility, different paths

Why sustainability in the jewellery industry – and what is it like to follow this path?

In this moderated discussion with Ralf G. Schröder, HCF Merkle, Lorena and MIADANA provide personal insights into their business decisions, challenges and progress on the path to greater sustainability.

How do they define “sustainable action” for themselves and what does that mean for their companies?

Look forward to a dialogue with different perspectives, exciting questions and open discussions.

Who? Ralf G. Schröder in conversation with sustainable companies (HCF Merkle, Lorena & MIADANA)
Where? Meeting room 4

Open to all, booking not required

Cultural heritage meets the future: recognition for the gold and silversmithing trades

Goldsmiths and silversmiths have been included in the nationwide list of intangible cultural heritage, which is a significant recognition of the cultural relevance and traditional craftsmanship of this industry.

But what does this mean for the industry in practical terms? What new opportunities will arise, particularly with regard to reintegration into Annex A of the Crafts Code?

Michael Seubert, President of the „Zentralverband der Deutschen Gold- und Silberschmiede e.V.“ (Central Association of German Goldsmiths and Silversmiths), invites you to an open discussion.

Who? Michael Seubert | President of the „Zentralverbands der Deutschen Goldschmiede und Silberschmiede e.V.“ (Central Association of German Goldsmiths and Silversmiths)
Where? Special Area ‘The regular’s table’ | ground floor stand 61

Open to all, booking not required

Security prevention in goldsmiths

Many people know Sophie Koschnick as an expert in coloured diamonds under her Diamond Secrets label, but she also works in the field of security.

In this fireside chat, she answers practical questions about security in goldsmiths’ workshops. What is the correct behaviour in an emergency? How can you protect yourself from being targeted by criminals in the first place?

Who? Sophie Koschnick
Where? Special Area ‘The regular’s table’ | ground floor stand 61

Open to all, booking not required | flexible timeslot without fixed start and end time