The January edition of Vicenzaoro, held at the Berici capital’s Expo Centre from 17th-21st January 2025, saw a high turnout throughout the event, signalling brisk orders by retailers restocking after the festive season.
Sentiment and energy across the show were upbeat as buyers from around the world packed into booths to fill their order books.
The layout of the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) trade event, which takes place in an industrial park on the outskirts of the northeastern Italian city of Vicenza, had been changed to facilitate reconstruction works now under way, which are expected to add 20% to exhibitor capacity.
“Although the venue had construction happening, they (organisers) increased the signage to make the show easy to navigate,” said Nina Bruno of retailer Macy’s, based in New York.
“We are always shopping for new inspiration in chains. We were pleased to see fresh manipulations in chains and innovative diamond cutting,” she said.
Vicenzaoro, one of the world’s leading jewellery events, which takes place twice a year in January and September, unfolded against a backdrop of lofty gold prices, trading in late January not far below an all-time high touched in October 2024.
The show’s exhibition director, Matteo Farsura, told Solitaire International that surging bullion prices had contributed to a 7.2% year-on-year increase in the value of Italian goldsmithing jewellery exports in the first 10 months of 2024, the most recent available data. He gave no dollar figure for the value of exports.
Farsura added that he saw a favourable outlook for Italian gold jewellery exports by value in 2025.
While “Made in Italy” goods were a key part of the show’s offering, Vicenzaoro presents the latest jewellery designs from suppliers across the world, such as India, China and Thailand.
Many Indian jewellery suppliers were clustered in Hall 3.1, offering a variety of the latest designs, set with diamonds and gemstones, targeting visiting retailers from around the world.
“Business over the Christmas period was okay – people were cautious and minding their pockets,” Pranay Shah, director of Intergold Europe N.V, a subsidiary of Rosy Blue, told Solitaire. “The first few days of the show were good for us. We are looking for business from major retailers across the world.”
Jash Shah of Estrella Jewels spoke of plentiful enquiries from retailers for jewellery set with laboratory-grown diamonds.
Aditya Jain of Jaipur-based Jewels Park said he had received steady enquiries for gem-set jewellery featuring rainbow colours, and items set with emeralds.
Vicenzaoro offers a vast array of jewellery creations and accessories, as well as the newest technologies and jewellery industry machines offered in the separate T.GOLD halls, which were packed during the January edition.
Following the expected conclusion of the reconstruction works in September 2026, the T.GOLD area will be integrated under one roof with the rest of the show, Vicenzaoro executives said.
US retailers were out in force at the event, with buyers attending from leading companies, such as Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks OFF 5TH, AAFES, Ben Bridge Jeweler, Diane Glynn Jewelry, and Manfredi Jewels.
“Vicenzaoro was a fruitful experience where I filled some orders and discovered unique, well-crafted jewellery,” said Lisa Vinicur of Pennsylvania-based Diane Glynn Jewelry.
“I specifically sought important pieces like bangles, earrings, necklaces, and rings that are only available in Vicenza, and I’m pleased to say I found them.”
Sylvia Smitherman of Army & Airforce Exchange Service – AAFES, based in Dallas-Fort Worth, said: “The Vicenzaoro show was fabulous! We found exciting new products across all categories from diamonds, gemstones, gold, and silver. We are very pleased with the selections Italian factories offer. Excited for 2025!”
Laura Barringer, Seattle-based senior buyer at Ben Bridge Jeweler, said: “Although we sensed a bit of hesitation among some buyers, and maybe some ‘wait and see,’ we found Vicenzaoro very productive, and it delivered all our shopping needs. We refilled our core selections and resourced and created a new collection we hope to launch this Spring.”
UK jewellery retailers also attended in large numbers, many of them organised into a delegation by the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ).
“We’re supporting (UK) suppliers,” said Ben Massey, CEO of the NAJ, who was visiting the show for the first time, adding that the NAJ are seeking to foster growth in the UK market.
Peter Wong and Cynthia Cartright of Wongs Jewellers in Liverpool said they had been impressed by the positive mood at the event and planned to pay calls on suppliers such as exhibitor Domino Jewellery, the UK’s largest jewellery manufacturer.