Vicenzaoro 2026: Global Jewellery Hub Prepares for a New Era

VICENZA, Italy – January 12, 2026 – The global jewellery industry turns its eyes to Italy this week as Vicenzaoro January 2026 opens its doors, reaffirming its status as the year's first and most influential international business platform for the entire gold and jewellery supply chain. Organized by the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the event, running from January 16 to 20, is once again a sold-out affair, a testament to its enduring gravitational pull within the sector.

More than 1,300 exhibiting brands are converging at the Vicenza Expo Centre, with a significant 40% hailing from outside Italy. This strong international contingent, featuring major players from Turkey, Hong Kong, Thailand, Germany, and India, underscores the show's role not just as a marketplace, but as a critical nexus for global trade. For the thousands of buyers, designers, and executives arriving from an anticipated 140 countries, this event is more than a trade show; it is a barometer for the year ahead, offering a first look at new collections, emerging trends, and the economic pulse of the luxury market. This year's edition carries particular weight, as it marks the final show before the unveiling of a transformative new central pavilion, signaling the dawn of a new chapter for the historic event.

A Global Crossroads for the Jewellery Trade

For over 70 years, Vicenzaoro has cultivated its reputation as Europe's largest jewellery trade show, a position it solidifies with each edition. While other major events like JCK Las Vegas and the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show dominate their respective regions, Vicenzaoro's unique proposition is its comprehensive scope. It is a 'Jewellery Boutique Show' that encapsulates the entire value chain—from high-end finished jewellery and unmounted gemstones to advanced manufacturing machinery and packaging solutions.

This all-encompassing model attracts a diverse and global audience. Data from previous editions shows a robust international presence, with foreign attendance often accounting for 60% of the total. Visitors from key export markets like the United States and the Middle East are consistently among the most represented, alongside strong delegations from across Europe, led by Spain, Germany, and France. Growing interest from Asia, with past editions seeing triple-digit percentage growth in attendees from China, highlights the show's expanding influence in the world's fastest-growing luxury market.

"We focus on delivering strong business opportunities, high-quality content and an enhanced visitor experience so that our Jewellery Boutique Show is a business and innovation platform for the entire industry," says Matteo Farsura, global exhibition manager of Jewellery & Fashion Exhibitions at IEG. The show's new claim, 'People • Product • Places,' reflects this philosophy, emphasizing the ecosystem of relationships and skills that drive value on a global scale.

Charting the Course of a Shifting Industry

Beyond its role as a commercial hub, Vicenzaoro serves as a crucial observatory for the trends shaping a rapidly evolving industry. Exhibitors and attendees arrive not only to trade but to gauge the currents of consumer demand, technological disruption, and ethical imperatives. One of the most dominant trends is sustainability. A growing consumer consciousness is fueling demand for ethically sourced gemstones, recycled precious metals, and transparent supply chains. This is reflected on the show floor and in the dedicated VO Vintage B2C marketplace (January 16-19), where the market for pre-loved high-end watches and jewellery continues to thrive.

Nowhere is the industry's transformation more apparent than in the rise of lab-grown diamonds (LGDs). Valued at nearly $26 billion in 2024, the LGD market is projected to triple by 2032. Driven by younger consumers, these stones now account for a significant share of the market, particularly for engagement rings, offering a lower price point than their natural counterparts. This explosive growth is also creating a new market segmentation, a topic of intense discussion among industry analysts and a key factor for retailers to navigate in the coming years.

Alongside these seismic shifts, aesthetic trends continue to evolve. For 2025, many collections are expected to feature nature-inspired designs, with organic forms, floral motifs, and earthy tones taking center stage. Vicenzaoro provides the first major platform for brands to test these new creative directions against the demands of a global buyer base.

Innovation in Focus: From Technology to Talent

IEG is strategically positioning Vicenzaoro as a driver of innovation. This is most evident in T.Gold, the concurrent B2B exhibition dedicated to jewellery manufacturing technology. With 170 specialist exhibitors, T.Gold is a showcase of the industry's most advanced machinery, from 3D printing and laser welding to new alloys and finishing techniques, offering producers a vital toolkit for enhancing efficiency and creativity.

This year, the commitment to innovation is being amplified through several new initiatives. The 2026 show will see the debut of the VO Awards, an event designed to celebrate excellence in creativity, manufacturing, and strategic vision across the sector. Furthermore, an expanded program of talks and seminars will tackle the industry's most pressing topics. In partnership with leading bodies like CIBJO (The World Jewellery Confederation), sessions will explore sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and the impact of artificial intelligence. Renowned diamond industry analyst Martin Rapaport is also scheduled to lead a highly anticipated seminar.

This focus on knowledge-sharing extends to nurturing the next generation. Vicenzaoro has a long history of engaging with educational institutions, with hundreds of students from jewellery design and manufacturing schools across Europe regularly attending to connect with industry leaders. This commitment to the future is being further solidified with plans for 'The Vicenza Symposium,' a new biennial scientific event set to debut in September 2025, aimed at fortifying the industry's metallurgical and technological foundations.

Building the Future: A New Pavilion and a New Era

The most tangible symbol of Vicenzaoro's forward momentum is the massive construction project at the heart of the expo center. This January 2026 edition is the final show before the grand opening of a new central pavilion in September. The €60 million investment will deliver 22,000 square meters of state-of-the-art exhibition space, designed to enhance the exhibitor and visitor experience, improve navigation, and provide a modern platform for future growth.

This is more than just an expansion; it is a strategic move to redefine the venue and secure its competitive edge for decades to come. The development addresses the long-standing demand for more space from both returning and prospective exhibitors, ensuring the show can continue to accommodate the industry's best. As the final event in the current layout, this week's show is filled with a sense of anticipation for the transformation to come.

"People, products and places have been the vital force behind Vicenzaoro's global leadership for more than 70 years," adds Farsura. "The new central pavilion, once completed, will give Vicenzaoro the home this industry deserves and open a new chapter in the development of the show and the entire sector." As the jewellery world gathers in Vicenza, they are not only participating in a leading trade event but are also witnessing the final moments of one era and the imminent beginning of the next.