By David Brough
VICENZA, Italy – The market for Italian jewellery exports, up by 40 percent in value terms between 2019 and 2022, appeared constructive as Vicenzaoro (September 8-12), one of the world’s largest trade shows, got under way.
Show director Marco Carniello, in a briefing with journalists on September 9, estimated that the total value of Italian gold and silver jewellery exports was some 10 billion euros in 2022 following the pandemic, up from 6-7 billion in 2019.
Show director Marco Carniello
He said that his impression was that there were three reasons for the surge: supply bottlenecks during the lockdowns; a growth in branding, with more manufacturing centred in Italy and later exported; and the sustained operations of Vicenzaoro during the lockdowns, keeping the show open within the restrictions of the time.
Italy is a leading supplier of manufactured gold and silver jewellery, featuring cutting-edge designs and high craftsmanship, to the world market, principally to the US, UAE, and Europe, including brand hubs such as Switzerland.
Turnout was buoyant during the current edition, which presented the latest and most innovative designs from the world’s leading jewellery suppliers, including Italy, China, Hong Kong, India and Turkey, as well as high-flying designs from some of the world’s most talented designers.
Creative director Paola De Luca, head of Vicenzaoro’s independent observatory TRENDVISION, on September 9 presented the Trend Book 2025+, with a focus on how human creativity will continue to flourish despite the integration of fast-emerging AI into jewellery manufacturing and design.
Paola De Luca
CIBJO-World Jewellery Confederation was poised to host panel discussions during the fair, looking at how AI will impact the global jewellery industry, including one session on September 10 moderated by Jewellery Outlook Editor David Brough.
A panel discussion on September 9 explored how high retailer Bartorelli embraces human relationships to sell high jewellery: Bartorelli is the only retailer in Italy, apart from Bulgari boutiques, that is authorised to sell Bulgari high jewellery, with outlets in key tourist locations including Forte dei Marmi, in Tuscany, and Bologna.
International press corps
