Sustainable impulses and gender equality, heritage and technological advances, global scenarios and new professions: these are the focal points of the revolution taking place in the jewellery industry at the centre of the 70th edition of Italian Exhibition Group’s VicenzaOro.
IEG’s Jewellery Boutique Show will take place from 19 to 23 January 2024 in Vicenza, Italy, flanked by T.Gold, an event dedicated to innovative machinery and technologies for gold and jewellery, and, from 19 to 22 January, VO Vintage, an event open to the public focusing on vintage watches and jewellery.
Here are some of the events of the Europe’s largest exhibition dedicated to gold and jewellery.
The gentle creativity of Italian jewellery
Heritage, art, design, craftsmanship, excellence, quality and creative genius: all this is “Made in Italy”, a bridge between past and future, tradition and progress. This is the central theme of Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting, IEG’s independent observatory directed by Paola De Luca, a global reference point for the precious market in exploring trends, social landscapes and consumer evolution.
Trendvision will feature speakers of the calibre of Mariella Milani, RAI journalist and expert in fashion and customs, Lucia Silvestri, Creative Director of Bulgari, Alessia Crivelli, Director of Crivelli Srl and founder of Mani Intelligenti Foundation, and Amedeo Scognamiglio, owner of Faraone Mennella and Amedeo’s Jewelry. The human value of jewellery creativity will be the focus of a talk in collaboration with Assogemme featuring the creative director Olga Corsini.
Made in Italy and international markets: an update
Club degli Orafi (The Goldsmiths’ Club) and Intesa Sanpaolo’s Studies and Research Department will present at VOJ 2024 “The Italian Gold Sector: New Challenges in a Changing Scenario”, offering in-depth analysis of the Italian supply chain and international demand for gold and precious metals. A sector that recorded positive dynamics in the first part of 2023 but is faced with an increasingly complex international scenario.
Jewellery and Sustainability: an investment for the future
Traceable supply chains, reduction of environmental impacts, inclusivity and promotion of principles for the empowerment of women in the gold and jewellery industry: these are the key themes of the seminars organised by CIBJO, the International Confederation of Jewellery, in collaboration with authoritative entities such as the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, the World Gold Council and Platinum Guild International – PGI. The event will feature experts in sustainable innovation and social responsibility from different parts of the value chain and luxury brands such as Kering and Cartier. The topic will be on sharing best practices and partnerships with a focus on traceability.
Gold and Technology: a revolution in progress
Innovative productions, new alloys and ultra-light architectures made possible through interdisciplinary research. Digitalisation and new technologies are revolutionising the gold and jewellery industry, influencing design, materials and production processes. Whether it is measuring gold, analysing the authenticity of a diamond, designing a piece of jewellery or 3D printing, skills are being transformed along with jewellery. These are the topics that will be the focus of the Jewelry Technology Forum, an event in collaboration with Legor Group to be held on 21 January at VicenzaOro, with the participation of lecturers, researchers and international experts in the fields of metallurgy, gems, new jewellery technologies and certification. Another event, in collaboration with the digital agency Art&sofT, will explore the use of blockchain as a weapon against counterfeiting.
Space for young jewellery talents
VicenzaOro does not miss the opportunity to give space to young talents, who will have the chance to perform during the exhibition in the Design Room and to take part in many events dedicated to them.
The first edition of “The8” will be resented, a mentoring project dedicated to four emerging Italian and international designers, curated by Alessia Crivelli and Alessio Boschi. Collaborations with IED Rome and Turin for jewellery design students will also aim to explore trends from the 70th anniversary of the VicenzaOro event.
Future trends through the eyes of the IED students of Rome and Turin
The jewel of the future is an interdisciplinary research observatory curated by third-year jewellery design students at the IED in Rome, coordinated by Barbara Brocchi with the collaboration of Alessia Crivelli. The project, which began last year, will continue until VicenzaOro September 2024.
Measuring oneself against myth: “Pharaoh’s Jewel” awards ceremony
Labigem, Laboratorio Italiano di Gemmologia, launched a competition last year aimed at under-35s, for students from more than 25 institutions, who were asked to draw inspiration from Tutankhamun’s treasure on the occasion of the centenary of its discovery. Of the 125 entries submitted, eight were selected. Labigem, together with its institutional partners, including the Jewellery Museum in Vicenza and the Egyptian Museum in Turin, will award the winners on Monday 22 in the Educational Hub (Hall 8) at VicenzaOro.
Training in the City with VIOFF: VicenzaOro’s “Fuori Salone”
Talks and design competitions: the training of young people is also at the centre of the events in town in the calendar of VIOFF, the “Fuori Salone” of VicenzaOro. Two appointments aimed at young people are scheduled on January 19, the Golden Talk (9 a.m. at Teatro San Marco, Contrà S. Francesco, 76), dedicated to first and second grade secondary schools in Vicenza and its province, with the participation of representatives of national goldsmith companies. On the other hand, from January 16 to 21, the Progold 3D Design Contest will be held in the historic centre of Vicenza: an open-air exhibition with sketches of jewellery created by students from the most important national and international design institutes. The totems will have a QR CODE to vote for your favourite piece of jewellery, the prize-giving for which will take place on Sunday 21 at the Fair. The Jewellery Museum in the Basilica Palladiana will also host a number of VIOFF initiatives during the days of the fair, remaining open throughout the year with its “Italian Jewellery” exhibition and its programme of workshops for families. This constitutes an open point of reference for bringing the public closer to the art of the goldsmith, with particular attention to the younger generations.
“Mauro Baschirotto” Award Competition for Scientific Research
VicenzaOro will be ready to host more than one hundred young people on Monday 22 for the design competition promoted by the “Mauro Baschirotto” Onlus Rare Diseases Association, which has been awarding international researchers with a ring inspired by the DNA double helix for more than a decade. The award ceremony will take place on Monday at the Exhibition Centre. For the first time, students will find a dedicated reception DESK at the Fair (Entrance West 3). There are currently 17 institutes from all over Italy, as well as from France, Spain and Germany, with a total of more than 500 registered students and accompanying persons.
