From left, Gianna Wikins, Michael Ross, Roxane Duke, Naz Sabripour, Heather Peron, and Brandy Swanson, pose for a picture before the cutting of the ribbon for the opening of the International Gem & Jewelry Show, after 15 months of closure due to the pandemic, it's the first public event at the Pasadena Convention center on Friday, July 16, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Roxane Duke, the owner of the International Gem & Jewelry Show, cuts the ribbon to celebrate the first public event, the International Gem & Jewelry Show, at the Pasadena Convention center on Friday, July 16, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Guests rush in the exhibit hall for the International Gem & Jewelry Show, at the Pasadena Convention center after 15 months of closure due to the pandemic, Friday, July 16, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Guests rush in the exhibit hall for the International Gem & Jewelry Show, at the Pasadena Convention center after 15 months of closure due to the pandemic, Friday, July 16, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Gianna Wilkins, from the Pasadena Convention center, during the opening of the International Gem & Jewelry Show, at the Pasadena Convention center after 15 months of closure due to the pandemic, Friday, July 16, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Guests browse during the International Gem & Jewelry Show, at the Pasadena Convention center after 15 months of closure due to the pandemic, Friday, July 16, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Guests browse during the International Gem & Jewelry Show, at the Pasadena Convention center after 15 months of closure due to the pandemic, Friday, July 16, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Jewelry repair is offered at the International Gem & Jewelry Show, at the Pasadena Convention center after 15 months of closure due to the pandemic, Friday, July 16, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Guests browse during the International Gem & Jewelry Show, at the Pasadena Convention center after 15 months of closure due to the pandemic, Friday, July 16, 2021. (Photo by James Carbone)
Some new normality returned to Pasadena as the long-running International Gem & Jewelry Show opened at the Pasadena Convention Center Friday, after the Center had been dark for more than a year due to the pandemic.
“We are thrilled to be able to reopen our doors to public events at the Pasadena Convention Center,” said Michael Ross, CEO of the Pasadena Center Operating Company. “International Gem & Jewelry has been a long-time client of ours for over thirty years. It only seems appropriate that it would help us celebrate the return of events here at the Center.”
For 15 months, the Pasadena Convention Center and Pasadena Civic Auditorium complex was hobbled by state regulations that prohibited most indoor gatherings, and required the cancellation of more than 300 scheduled events.
The Center was still able to host certain essential events such as the LA County Vote Center for the Presidential Elections; City-essential interview and testing events; jury empanelment; and some carefully-managed filming and television productions such as “America’s Got Talent, as well as commercials for Buick and Evian.
Pasadena Convention Center executive director Naz Sabripour said, as a stream of customers began to arrive, “It’s wonderful to welcome the general public back.”
Asked about social distancing requirements, Sabripour said, ‘We’ve obviously had wonderful practice with COVID practices and protocols over the last year, and if we need to, we can definitely implement those. At this point we’re just waiting to hear from the Pasadena Health Department in regards to that.”
The Convention Center actually served as an auxiliary hospital ward for Huntington Hospital early in the pandemic last spring.
This week more than 90 vendors have set up shop and organizers were expecting up to 500 customers a day for this weekend’s event.
“So far so good,” said Emily King of Genesis Gems, who added, “When the ribbon was cut earlier, there was a crowd of people waiting to get in, so I’m very heartened by that.”
King, who worked a booth at the Gem and Jewelry show in San Mateo last week, said that the Pasadena show attracts more serious and knowledgeable buyers than other cities.
“I’m already seeing that,” she said.
The International Gem and Jewelry show (through July 18) features one-of-a-kind jewelry creations, loose gemstones, beaded strands, pearls, watches, antique and estate jewelry, supplies, chains, charms, accessories, from the truly rare and exquisite to everyday pieces.
More information on the International Gem show is available at intergem.com.
