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Vicenzaoro September 2026: A Deep Dive into Jewelry Industry's Future and Innovation
Shaping Tomorrow's Jewelry Landscape: Responsibility, Transparency, and Innovation at Vicenzaoro
CIBJO Centenary Congress: Navigating Industry Shifts and Upholding Ethical Standards
On the second day of Vicenzaoro September 2026, held at IEG's Vicenza venue, the CIBJO World Jewellery Confederation celebrated its centennial with a congress that convened leading figures from the international jewelry industry. Chaired by Gaetano Cavalieri, the discussions centered on the dynamic changes influencing the global jewelry landscape, including escalating precious material costs, geopolitical instabilities, tariffs, and the rapid pace of technological innovation, particularly artificial intelligence. Approximately 600 attendees, representing various segments of the supply chain from miners to retailers, gemological laboratories, and major brands, participated. The opening session featured addresses by Maurizio Ermeti, president of IEG; Cyrille Vigneron, chairman of culture and philanthropy at Cartier; and Gareth Penny, former CEO of De Beers and current chairman of the Ninety-One fund.
Future-Forward: Embracing Trust, Collaboration, and Consumer Welfare
The day's agenda, themed 'Trust for the next century: responsibility, collaboration, and impact,' explored future trends with a strong emphasis on practical sustainability and consumer transparency. A critical point of discussion was the urgent need for a precise classification system to differentiate between natural and synthetic diamonds, especially given marketing strategies that have altered public perception. This conversation extended to all gemstones, including rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, highlighting consumer protection as fundamental to the industry's long-term credibility.
VO Vintage: Where Heritage Meets Contemporary Horology and Adornment
The morning commenced with a live broadcast of the Laboratorio podcast, featuring an interview with Massimo Carraro, President and CEO of the Morellato Group, conducted by Dody Giussani and Pietro Pannone. IEG's specialized exhibition and marketplace for exquisite vintage watches and jewelry, open to the public until September 7th, continued into the afternoon with DEEP-X: All About the Limited Edition. This segment showcased a collaborative project involving top-tier Italian watchmakers to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Watch Insanity, featuring a unique timepiece and a highly customized 'Made in Italy' movement. The day concluded with the presentation of the 2026 Watch of the Year award, as voted by readers of L’Orologio magazine. The subsequent day, Sunday, September 6th, was set to feature three additional events: 'The Italian micro-brand out to conquer the world,' focusing on Venezianico's global expansion and the micro-brand phenomenon in contemporary watchmaking; 'The Art of the Chronograph: Iconic companies, mechanics and a glossary for collectors,' presented by Irene Baiardi, delving into the technology, history, and terminology of chronographs; and 'Jewellery with a story: why Art Deco still has appeal and value,' exploring the enduring allure and significance of Art Deco jewelry in the collecting sphere.
Announcing the 2027 Vicenzaoro VO Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Craftsmanship
Submissions are now being accepted for the second annual VO Awards, organized by Vicenzaoro to honor outstanding achievements in the gold and jewelry sectors. These awards recognize Italian and international creativity, skill, and manufacturing heritage. Exhibitors from the ICON (high jewelry), CREATION (gold and silver jewelry), and LOOK (contemporary jewelry) categories are invited to submit their entries across eight distinct categories until November 30th. The awards ceremony will take place at Vicenzaoro January 2027. An expert panel will evaluate submissions based on sustainability, innovation, excellence, and market appeal to select the finalists. The Vicenzaoro community, including buyers, exhibitors, and visitors, will also cast their votes for the showcased items during the January exhibition, contributing to the final decision.
Upcoming Events: Pearls, Digital Trends, and Promoting Italian Craftsmanship
The third day of Vicenzaoro September 2026 will commence with 'The future of the Akoya pearl: a link between Japan and the international jewellery industry,' scheduled for 10:30 am in the Educational Hub. Organized by Preziosa Magazine, this international event will highlight the cultural, economic, and strategic importance of Japan's iconic Akoya pearl, featuring key representatives from the Japan Pearl Exporters’ Association and leading figures from the global jewelry industry. At 12 noon, also in the Vicenza Expo Centre’s Educational Hub, Confindustria Federorafi will host 'Being there, in digital. Jewellery between algorithms and people. Digital marketing trends for jewellery: data, channels and practical guidance,' focusing on digital marketing strategies for the jewelry sector. The afternoon, at 3:45 pm, will feature the RETAIL TALK: Tourism and the jewellery sector: the contribution of Italian jewellers to promoting Italian-made products, organized by Confindustria Federorafi, which will examine the role of Italian jewelers in promoting national products through tourism.
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