by Julius Zheng, GIA GG
vicenzaoro.com | People Product Places
If you are a passionate jewellery professional, there is one place on the map that demands your attention: Vicenza, Italy. VicenzaOro – organized by Italian Exhibition Group twice a year in January and September – is not just a trade show; it is the heartbeat of the global jewellery industry.
Every year, thousands of buyers and visitors flock to this historic Italian city to witness the unveiling of new collections, cutting-edge technology, and future trends. But what makes this event so special? Why should you plan your trip for the next edition?
Here are ten compelling reasons why VicenzaOro is an unmissable event for anyone in the jewellery world.
1. A Global Gathering of the Jewellery Elite
VicenzaOro is truly the “Jewellery Boutique Show.” It serves as a massive international hub where the entire supply chain comes together. The event consistently draws huge numbers of foreign visitors, with recent editions seeing a surge in attendees from the United States and other major markets.
VicenzaOro has a very strong international attendance, with 60% of buyers and visitors coming from over 130 overseas countries and regions.
When you walk the halls, you aren’t just seeing local Italian vendors. You are stepping into a global marketplace. From the Japan Pearl Promotion Society to the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association (HKJJA), the world comes to Vicenza. It is the perfect place to network, forge new business relationships, and see how different cultures interpret luxury and design.
As Matteo Farsura, Global Exhibition Manager of IEG’s jewellery shows, explains, “for buyers, the entire supply chain; for companies, everything to compete on the markets.”
2. The Prestigious VO Awards
Competitions drive excellence, and VicenzaOro just launched in January 2026 one of the most exciting accolades in the industry: the VO Awards. Attending the show gives you a front-row seat to see who is pushing boundaries in design and innovation.
The awards ceremony is a highlight of the event, celebrating the best and brightest. Seeing the finalists and winners up close offers invaluable insight into what the industry values right now. It’s not just about who wins a trophy; it’s about understanding the high standards of creativity and sustainability and manufacturing innovation that are currently setting the bar for everyone else. In addition, visitors attending the show can participate in the competition by expressing their vote onsite on the finalists’ creations on display in Hall 7, selected by the international and multidisciplinary jury. The second edition will take place during Vicenzaoro January 2027.
3. Discovering Future Trends
Staying ahead in the jewellery world means anticipating styles and innovations before they reach the mainstream—and this is exactly where VicenzaOro excels.
The show is widely recognized not only as the place to discover new designs and innovations, but also a key destination for finding inspiration, exchanging ideas, and engaging with other professionals and experts on the direction the market is taking. Constantly evolving to respond to the needs and expectations of the industry worldwide, VicenzaOro fosters strategic thinking and provides valuable insights that help brands and buyers anticipate future developments and make informed decisions.
Matteo Farsura captures this ongoing evolution: “Five years ago, the emphasis was on the potential of digital channels for this industry, today it is on production process optimization in order to balance the cost of raw materials.”
Known as VicenzaOro’s in-house observatory, Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting plays a crucial role in shaping the conversation about what’s next for the industry. At VicenzaOro, you can attend Trendvision seminars and workshops, providing a chance to hear directly from international trend forecasters about the forces influencing jewellery’s future. Whether you’re refining a collection or planning your next product launch, the insights from Trendvision empower you to make bold, informed decisions. With the knowledge and foresight gained here, businesses can stay ahead of the curve, capture emerging markets, and create pieces that truly speak to tomorrow’s consumer.
Trendvision’s renowned The Jewellery Trendbook is more than just a stylish publication; it is an authoritative research guide that maps out the key design directions, consumer attitudes, lifestyle shifts, and color stories for the upcoming seasons. Released annually, the Trendbook presents deep analyses, global trend mapping, and inspirational concepts that are relied upon by designers, retailers, and brands worldwide. The publication world premiere takes place each year at Vicenzaoro September edition.
4. T.Gold: The Tech Behind the Sparkle
Beautiful gems need expert craftsmanship, and craftsmanship today relies heavily on technology. Running concurrently with VicenzaOro is T.Gold, the international show dedicated to machinery and innovative technologies for jewellery manufacturing.
T.Gold continues to solidify its reputation, and in the words of key event organizers: “T.Gold confirms its status as technology leader.”
This is where you see the “how” behind the “wow.” T.Gold showcases the most innovative technologies that make competitive and sustainable jewellery production possible. For manufacturers and designers, this is arguably the most critical part of the visit. You can explore new tools that increase efficiency, reduce waste, and allow for designs that were previously impossible to create.
From 4 to 8 of September 2026 the first September edition of T.Gold, which – starting 2026 – will take place twice a year within the venues in Vicenza, completely integrated to Vicenzaoro.
5. Exclusive Industry Insights, Global Standards, and CIBJO’s Influence
VicenzaOro is a content-rich environment. It’s not just about viewing dazzling showcases, but about engaging with the thought leaders and visionaries who shape the future of the jewellery world. The event features a packed program of talks, seminars, and exclusive interviews with key figures—from exhibition managers to international association heads. These discussions cover essential aspects of the industry—people, products, and places—offering direct insights from decision-makers about challenges, opportunities, and market trends.
As Matteo Farsura noted: “Once again, Vicenzaoro promoted training, business culture and economic information: hence, buyers found the entire supply chain, and companies found all the enabling experiences to compete on the markets.”
A standout highlight is the pivotal role played by CIBJO, the International Jewellery Confederation. As the globally recognized authority for industry standards and ethics, CIBJO’s active involvement at VicenzaOro brings global credibility and direction. The organization leads conversations on responsible business practices, sustainable development, and ethical sourcing, helping to set international benchmarks embraced by jewellery professionals everywhere. With CIBJO at the heart of VicenzaOro, attendees gain unparalleled educational value and access to the very forefront of jewellery’s evolving global standards.
CIBJO will hold its 2026 annual congress in Vicenza, Italy, from September 4 to September 7. The milestone event has been declared the Centenary Congress, and it will mark 100 years since CIBJO’s establishment. The 2026 Congress will take place at the Fiera di Vicenza, during the VicenzaOro. It will be hosted by the Italian Exhibition Group, the organizer of the show. VicenzaOro’s alignment with CIBJO, and its commitment to fostering responsible practices and innovation, positions the show as a global benchmark for professionalism and progress.
6. A Deep Dive into Vintage and Culture
For those who appreciate history, the VO Vintage event is a treasure trove. This area (the only B2B section open to general public) is dedicated to vintage watches and jewellery, and it keeps getting bigger and better. It offers a unique space for collectors and enthusiasts to explore stories and culture behind timeless pieces.
Additionally, the city itself often hosts concurrent cultural events, such as exhibitions at the Vicenza Jewellery Museum. Recent exhibitions have explored the intersection of material, technique, and art in Italian jewellery, bridging the gap between ancient traditions and modern execution. It adds a layer of cultural depth that you simply don’t get at a standard trade fair.
7. Explore the Vicenza Jewellery Museum
No visit to VicenzaOro is complete without experiencing the Vicenza Jewellery Museum (Museo del Gioiello). Housed in the historic Basilica Palladiana, a UNESCO heritage build by the world famous architect Andrea Palladio (1508 – 1580), this museum takes you on a journey through the rich tapestry of Italian jewellery. You’ll find exhibitions that celebrate both ancient techniques and cutting-edge innovation, providing a unique context for the evolution of jewellery art. The museum’s curated collections and special shows offer deep insight into Italy’s role as a global leader in design, material science, and jewellery heritage—making it a cultural highlight for anyone passionate about adornment and artistry.
Dating to the period of Lombard occupation in Vicenza, this piece belongs to a well-known class of Lombard gold rings, recognizable for their beaded border and four small spheres connecting the bezel to the hoop. Unknown in Lombard craftsmanship before the invasion of Italy in 568, only about ten examples of this type are known across the Italian peninsula. The glass-paste gem, crafted in Roman times and imitating a multicoloured stratified stone, reflects a production trend popular from the late 2nd to early 1st century BC and continuing through the Augustan age. It simulates natural multi-layered stones.
This refined collar was offered as a votive gift to the shrine of the Madonna dei Miracoli in Lonigo (Vicenza). Its donors, Marcantonio and Scipione Caldogno, are named in the inscription engraved in capital letters around the pendant featuring the family coat of arms—one of the oldest noble lineages in Vicenza. Coral connects northern and southern Italy, with fishing, carving, and trade centres in Liguria, Sicily, Campania, Tuscany, Sardinia, and major tourist regions such as Abruzzo and Lazio. In the early 19th century, Torre del Greco in Campania rose to prominence, transitioning from coral harvesting to production and quickly entering international markets.
The coral elements were probably purchased in the Vesuvian area and later mounted in 1840 by the St. Petersburg jeweller Wilhelm Kleiberg—an example of a well-documented practice also involving French, English, and Northern European goldsmiths.
Likely Melfi (Italy) area manufacture. Hair fasteners. Gold. 5th century BC. 3.4 × 5.9 cm (Ø); 3.2 × 5.9 cm (Ø). Melfi (Potenza), Museo Archeologico Nazionale “Massimo Pallottino”.
Produced locally, these cylindrical gold-sheet fasteners feature a rim soldered to one end, forming a wide horizontal border. Hair was wrapped around the cylinder, leaving only the ring visible. They come from Chiuchiari, near Melfi—an important Daunian settlement with major burials.
Also visible in the same photograph:
Apulian red-figure Lebes gamikos. 330–310 BC, Workshop of the Baltimore Painter. Wheel-thrown clay, red-figure decoration. H. 16.5 cm; rim Ø 8.5 cm; foot Ø 7 cm. Collection Intesa Sanpaolo, Inv. 441.
The scenes on both sides form a continuous narrative: a young woman seated on a rock dedicates herself to Eros through gift exchange—offerings on a large tray, a wreath in her fingers—while Eros reciprocates with a box of cosmetics and jewellery and a mirror, tools of beautification and seduction. The ivy leaf he holds alludes to Dionysian cults and hopes for an afterlife. Winged Eros, depicted as a youthful hermaphrodite symbolizing the union of male and female, wears a rich parure matched by that of the woman, who also bears a shoulder-slung necklace and armlets on her thigh. Through the erotic encounter he enacts his dynamis, his generative power.
The emotional tone of the scene perfectly suits the lebes gamikos, a vessel used for ritual bridal baths.
Necklace with beads and clasp, Tarantine manufacture. 4th–3rd century BC. Gold, 18 cm. Museo Archeologico Nazionale MarTA.
A type featuring tubular and biconical beads, widely attested in the Hellenistic age but rarely in Taranto—despite the city’s renowned goldworking tradition. Local finds are usually short, intended not to encircle the neck but to be pinned directly to clothing. In both short and true necklaces, craftsmanship focuses most on the clasp, worn on the chest.
8. Experience the All-New, State-of-the-Art Expo Centre
In September 2026, VicenzaOro will unveil a major expansion at the Vicenza Expo Centre: a brand-new, ultra-modern two-level building boasting 22,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Maurizio Ermeti, IEG President, emphasizes the significance of this development: “A modern and functional structure that will be the central exhibition area of VicenzaOro in the future and will give impetus to the other events on the calendar and to the congress area.”
This facility will set a new standard for trade shows in Europe. The spacious, functional design promises improved accessibility, cutting-edge amenities, and a platform worthy of the industry’s premier event. Whether you are an exhibitor or a visitor, the new Expo Centre will redefine your event experience, offering more room for creativity, innovation, and global exchange.
9. The Vicenza Symposium
Education, technology, and sustainability are becoming central pillars of the luxury world, and the Vicenza Symposium stands at this forward-thinking intersection. Held every two years in Vicenza, with the next edition in September 2027, this unprecedented international event is dedicated to exploring the most vital topics facing the jewellery and fashion accessory industries today—ranging from cutting-edge technology and applied research, to responsible sourcing and circular practices.
The Symposium is not only a showcase for scientific innovation but also a hub for critical discussions on sustainability, ethics, and the future of advanced craftsmanship. Organized by Italian Exhibition Group with leading partners and a renowned international scientific committee, the event gathers academics, technologists, and industry professionals from around the world. With sessions dedicated to artificial intelligence, 3D printing, materials, process innovation, and traceability, the program is driven by global collaboration and a shared vision for the industry.
Its strategic location in Vicenza—the heart of one of the world’s most important jewellery districts—fosters unique dialogue between tradition and innovation. As the event is hosted just days before VicenzaOro September, it underscores the centrality of technology and research in driving the sector’s evolution. “The Vicenza Symposium is designed to become an international reference point for technological and sustainable development in jewellery and fashion manufacturing, helping build a global community capable of driving cultural, industrial, and technological change,” as described in the Symposium’s mission.
Attending the Symposium not only keeps you informed on emerging trends and best practices but also places you at the forefront of an industry striving to harmonize heritage with the future. If you want your business to be future-proof, engaging with these topics at VicenzaOro is essential.
10. Discover the Charm of Northern Italy’s Cities
Attending VicenzaOro is not just about business and networking; it’s also the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in some of Italy’s most beautiful cities. Vicenza itself is an architectural gem, famed for its Palladian buildings and lively atmosphere. Beyond Vicenza, you can easily explore neighboring cities like Verona, with its romantic history; Padova, home to frescoes and vibrant markets; and the unique splendor of Venice, with its canals and centuries-old artistic legacy. If you fancy hot springs, book a hotel room in Abano with steaming hot spring pools. From the time of ancient Romans, people in Veneto have been enjoying the thermal baths. In addition, the Veneto region is well-known for its cuisine and wine. Combining your work in VicenzaOro with leisure in Veneto guarantees memories that go far beyond the trade fair floor.
VicenzaOro is more than a calendar date; it is a comprehensive experience that covers every facet of the jewellery world. From the glamour of the VO Awards to the nuts and bolts of T.Gold machinery, it offers something for every professional.
If you are ready to elevate your understanding of the industry, source inventory, connect with global leaders, and see the future of design before it hits the shelves and counters, it’s time to plan your trip to Vicenza.
Note:
Gem Spectrum is a media partner of VicenzaOro.
The next appointment with Vicenzaoro and T.Gold’s international community will be from 4th to 8th September 2026 in a renovated Vicenza Expo Centre, and with VO Vintage from 4th to 7th September. IEG’s Jewellery Agenda continues with Oroarezzo from 9th to 12th May, SIJE in Singapore from 9th to 12th July and JGTD in Dubai from 27th to 29th October. And lastly in autumn with the Valenza Gem Forum and the Italian Jewellery Summit in Arezzo.
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