On 10 October 2024, the second edition of the Valenza Gem Forum took place, consolidating its central role in the high-end jewellery and precious stones sector. Held at the charming Teatro Sociale di Valenza, the event was promoted by the Mani Intelligenti Foundation and Vicenzaoro (Italian Exhibition Group), in collaboration with Assogemme and CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation. This year’s theme, “Excellence and Innovation in the Global Geopolitical Context”, was the leitmotif for an intense afternoon of discussions and exchanges between industry leaders, local institutions and trade associations.
The event kicked off at 4:30pm, moderated by Giulia Crivelli, fashion editor of Il Sole 24 Ore, who skilfully guided attendees through a series of high-level presentations. After opening remarks by Alessia Crivelli, President of the Mani Intelligenti Foundation, and local institutional representatives, CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri kicked off the debate with an overview of the current geopolitical challenges affecting the global gemstone and diamond market.
Damiano Zito, CEO of Progold, highlighted technological innovation in production processes, with a particular focus on sustainability. Raul Sapora, Ambassador of Gübelin Gem Lab, then discussed gem reporting, which is becoming increasingly important to ensure the traceability and reliability of gems throughout the supply chain.
The discussion continued with a roundtable on “Stones and Major Brands” featuring Isabella Traglio, member of the board and head of design at Vhernier, and international designer Alessio Boschi. Both shared their experiences on how to combine innovation with aesthetic value and tradition in the creation of exclusive jewellery.
The day concluded with a case study presentation by the De Beers Group, featuring Feriel Zerouki, President of the World Diamond Council and Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at De Beers Group. Zerouki offered a well-documented perspective on the evolution of the diamond market, focusing on the role of sustainability and transparency in building a more ethical and responsible industry.
The event attracted a relatively small number of participants, suggesting room for improvement in future editions, given the importance of the issues discussed. However, the forum was also streamed live on YouTube. The event demonstrated the efforts made to create convincing synergies between the main players in Valenza, with the aim of managing the industry with the rigour and authority that befits the ambitions of a district such as Valenza, which seeks to position itself as a benchmark of excellence in the sector.
The Valenza Gem Forum has demonstrated its ambition to become a major event for the industry. To fully achieve this goal, it will need to continue to expand its reach among the most forward-looking companies and deepen its content to become a true laboratory of ideas and strategies, strengthening the entire value chain of the jewellery sector, from the selection of raw materials to final distribution.
