Vicenzaoro September 2026 continued its second day with strong international participation, with 1,300 exhibiting brands from 40 countries and 910 buyers from 73 countries, representing a 33% increase in buyers compared with the September 2025 edition.
Organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the event is being held with the collaboration of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Italian Trade Agency, reinforcing Vicenzaoro’s position as an international platform for the gold, jewellery and watchmaking industries.
The second day also marked the continuation of the CIBJO Centenary Congress, chaired by Gaetano Cavalieri. Around 600 participants from across the jewellery supply chain — including miners, retailers, gemmological laboratories and major brands — are attending the congress.
The discussions are addressing challenges ranging from rising precious-material costs, geopolitical tensions and tariffs to technological acceleration and artificial intelligence.
Under the theme “Trust for the next century: responsibility, collaboration and impact,” the programme is focusing on pragmatic sustainability and greater transparency towards consumers.
A key issue is the need for a rigorous classification system distinguishing natural and synthetic diamonds, alongside stronger consumer protection across the wider gemstone sector, including rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
Meanwhile, VO Vintage, IEG’s marketplace dedicated to fine vintage watches and jewellery, featured a live edition of the Laboratorio podcast with Morellato Group President and CEO Massimo Carraro.
The programme also included DEEP-X: All About the Limited Edition, showcasing a collaborative project involving Italian high-end watchmakers to mark the 10th anniversary of Watch Insanity. The day concluded with the presentation of the 2026 Watch of the Year award, selected by readers of L’Orologio magazine.
Entries are now open for the second edition of the VO Awards, which recognise creativity, expertise and manufacturing excellence across the gold and jewellery sector.
Exhibitors from the ICON, CREATION and LOOK communities can submit entries until 30 November, competing across eight categories. Finalists will be selected against criteria including sustainability, innovation, excellence and selling appeal, with the wider Vicenzaoro community also contributing through voting during the January 2027 show.
The programme on 6 September will include a session on the future of the Akoya pearl and its link between Japan and the international jewellery industry, followed by a discussion on digital marketing trends for jewellery.
The day will conclude with a Retail Talk examining tourism and the role of Italian jewellers in promoting Made-in-Italy products.