On October 22, 2026, Spazio 750 in Valenza, Italy, will host the fourth edition of the Valenza Gem Forum, promoted by the Mani Intelligenti Foundation alongside IEG (Italian Exhibition Group), Vicenzaoro and CIBJO (The World Jewellery Confederation). Starting at 2:30 PM, the event will bring together professionals, entrepreneurs, and academics to discuss the prospects of fine jewelry and goldsmithing.
The agenda will focus on market trends, creativity, and the sourcing of precious stones, with a specific emphasis on Gen Z consumer habits and how the Valenza district’s identity is responding to a rapidly evolving concept of luxury. Topics of discussion will also include the impact of artificial intelligence on design and the commercial dichotomy between natural and synthetic diamonds.
The program is structured around two main tracks. The “University & Innovation” session will analyze the role of research in product development, featuring contributions from Paolo Minzioni (Vice Rector for Innovation and Artificial Intelligence in Education at the University of Pavia) and Matteo Alvaro (Vice Rector for International Affairs and President of the Cristal Research Center). Specifically, the panel will explore the practical applications of digital tools and artificial intelligence in jewelry design, highlighting how these new technologies do not replace craftsmanship, but rather forge new paths for manufacturing creativity.
On the economic front, the “Business & Market” panel will feature Francesca Manfredi (Kering), Hasu Dholakiya (Dholakia Lab Grown Diamond), and Emma Wade-Smith (De Beers Group) for an analysis of shifts in consumer demand. The discussion will address industry dynamics which, as noted by Matteo Farsura (Global Exhibition Manager Jewellery & Fashion at IEG), require strengthening the dialogue between Italian manufacturing districts and international markets to sustain competitiveness. Closely tied to this is the need to build a shared industry culture: among the essential requirements for protecting the value and authenticity of products, CIBJO President Gaetano Cavalieri stressed the urgency of ensuring transparency, traceability, and responsibility throughout the entire supply chain.
Looking ahead, the initiative aims to reach beyond local borders. Alessia Crivelli, President of the Mani Intelligenti Foundation, expressed the desire to export the Valenza format to major global jewelry events. At the same time, Crivelli reiterated the strategic importance of investing in education, ensuring that younger generations can view the jewelry industry as a genuine opportunity for professional growth, thereby securing the future and continuity of the district.
