VICENZAORO organisers have planned a high powered panel discussion to take place on the sidelines of the show, at its forthcoming winter edition to be held from January 17-22, 2020 at Vicenza, Italy.

The discussion is being held at a time when the diamond industry is facing some major challenges, including on the global marketing of diamond jewellery.

The organisers revealed that the panel is expected to feature some high profile participants including senior diamond industry leaders from De Beers Group; Europe’s leading laboratory-grown diamonds supplier Madestones; as well as fashion and jewellery designers, influencers and editors.

“This will be a highly thought-provoking discussion about a key topic that needs to be at the top of the industry agenda in the New Year – the Future of Diamonds,” said Paola De Luca, CEO of The Futurist. She will be the “disruptive” co-moderator of the debate; and is also the organiser of the panel discussion.

The discussion will centre on the future positioning of synthetic diamonds in the jewellery market; the marketing of “perfection”, or rarity; and “imperfection” of diamonds, such as fluorescence and diamonds with notable inclusions, such as “salt-and-pepper” diamonds.

The interchange promises to be particularly useful at a time of heightened competition in the luxury space, and the confusion over the place that laboratory-grown diamonds will have in the trade.

“The debate, which will be introduced by Gaetano Cavalieri, president of CIBJO-World Jewelry Confederation, will be of interest to industry leaders around the world, including retailers and suppliers, such as miners, manufacturers and designers,” the organisers of VICENZAORO stated.

The discussion will be supported by digital illustrations and insights from influential industry leaders and journalists, and is slated to take place in the Tiziano Room, Hall 7.1, starting at 10.30 am on Saturday January 18, the second day of VICENZAORO.