Foreign trade visitors from 16 countries
A small “oasis” amid an otherwise challenging environment—caused by the rise in gold prices—was how industry professionals described the 39th International Exhibition for Jewelry, Watches, Precious Stones, Machinery and Equipment – KOSMIMA, held from October 18 to 20 at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center.
The event concluded with exhibitors expressing full satisfaction, as during the three days they received orders and carried out commercial transactions through their professional contacts. Despite the prevailing climate, heavily influenced by high gold prices, KOSMIMA welcomed a large number of trade visitors and industry professionals from both Greece and abroad—specifically from 16 countries: Azerbaijan, Albania, Australia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Switzerland, USA, Iran, Italy, Kosovo, Cyprus, Serbia, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.
Across an exhibition area of 3,000 sq.m. in pavilions 8, 9, and 10, more than 70 companies from Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Turkey—as well as international brands from Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, and Germany—successfully used KOSMIMA as a platform to present the latest trends in jewelry and watches for the winter season, as well as a venue for professional networking.
In parallel with the exhibition’s business dimension, its artistic aspect was once again highlighted through the 36th Panhellenic Jewelry Design Competition, themed “Water: Flowing Shades – Drops of Luxury.” The competition was organized by the Panhellenic Federation of Silversmiths, Jewelers, and Watchmakers (POVAKO) in collaboration with TIF-HELEXPO. The competition once again played a pivotal role in showcasing the work of emerging creators as well as the artistic expertise of established professionals.
The students’ category included 41 participants with 53 works, while the professionals’ category featured 6 participants with 6 works.
• In the students’ category, the 1st Prize was awarded to Konstantinos Papadimitriou (I.I.E.K. MOKUME ART STUDIES) for his work “Dance on the Wave” (earrings), the 2nd Prize to Maria Koumaki (E.E.S. GALILEO) for “Tears of Dawn” (earrings), and the 3rd Prize to Amalia Kyprioti (EPAS DYPA Oreokastro) for “Narcissus” (ring).
• In the professionals’ category, an Honorary Award was presented to Ioannis Papagiannopoulos for “The Whispers of Water” (necklace), and an Honorable Mention to Christos Dimitrakopoulos and Eleni Antoni for “Earrings of Abundance.”
KOSMIMA remains the only event of its kind in Northern Greece, whose creation and ongoing development have been significantly supported by the Guild of Goldsmiths and Silversmiths of Thessaloniki (SXATH) and the Association of Jewelers and Watchmakers of Thessaloniki (SKOTH).