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THE VICENZA SYMPOSIUM: the new biennial event for innovation in the high jewellery and fashion accessories sector 

The Vicenza Symposium is the new international platform aimed at professionals, academics, and industry leaders, entirely dedicated to technologies and manufacturing trends for jewellery companies

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The first edition will be held from September 2nd  to 4th, 2025, in Vicenza, at the prestigious Basilica Palladiana, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

This international event is designed to attract young talent, stimulate networking, and provide a  periodic opportunity for professional development.

Introduced to the global industry community on the occasion of January’s edition of Vicenzaoro  (17 – 21 January 2025), Europe’s leading International jewellery, goldsmithing, and watchmaking  exhibition organized by Italian Exhibition Group together with T.Gold – International exhibition for  goldsmithing machinery and technology, The Vicenza Symposium will take place every two years.

The Vicenza Symposium aims to carry forward the legacy of the Santa Fe Symposium, a historic  event created and supported by Eddie Bell, the former technical director of Rio Grande Jewelers  Supply, who, for over thirty years, from 1987 onwards, fostered a collaborative community in the  jewelry industry. 

Eddie Bell will serve as Honorary President of the Scientific Committee of The Vicenza Symposium,  which will consist of prominent industry figures, including: Damiano Zito (Chairman and CEO  Progold S.p.A.) President; Massimo Poliero (President and CEO Legor Group) Vice President;  Giorgio Bodei (Industrial Director Pomellato); Florian Bulling (Materials Engineer at FEM  Forschungsinstitut); Ezio Dadone (Jewellery Industrialization & Manufacturing Director at Bvlgari,  LVMH Group); Frédéric Diologent (R&I Materials Director at Richemont); Valerio Doppio (R&D  Manager Progold); Andrea Friso (R&D Manager for Master Alloy Legor Group); Ulrich Klotz (Head  of the Department of Physical Metallurgy at the Research Institute for Precious Metals & Metals  Chemistry [fem], Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany).

“The Vicenza Symposium not only celebrates technological innovations but also serves as a key  platform for dialogue among professionals, academics, and industry leaders – as Damiano Zito declared ̶. Our mission is clear: to foster continuous learning, encourage networking, and share  advancements that can have a tangible impact on the industry at a global level, always keeping a  close eye on the evolving needs of the sector. I am confident that, over time, The VicenzaSymposium will become an unmissable event for all professionals who aspire to shape the future of  jewelry”.

The program of The Vicenza Symposium will feature a rich schedule of professional development  sessions, networking opportunities, and discussions on key topics for the industry, including the  integration and use of artificial intelligence (AI), regulatory updates, quality control, 3D printing,  and additive manufacturing. The latter, a true revolution for the optimization of precious materials,  will play a central role in the symposium discussions. The most innovative technologies in the field  of jewelry and fashion accessories production will also be presented.

The Vicenza Symposium will be structured around two main sectors: fine jewelry and fashion  accessories made from non-precious metals. It will be a non-commercial, highly technical event,  featuring 21 international speakers addressing an audience of around 100 participants across 7  daily sessions. Each session will last about 45 minutes and focus on sharing advancements and  innovations in the industry. The symposium will also include daily Q&A sessions (each lasting 20- 25 minutes), during which participants can interact with the speakers.

A significant part of the event will be dedicated to the presentation of numerous papers that will  explore the most relevant topics for professionals in the goldsmithing and jewelry industry.  Approximately 25% of the papers will delve into the world of fashion jewelry, with particular  attention given to precious metals and production techniques, with an innovative and balanced  approach that reflects the symposium’s mission: to foster the exchange of knowledge and  technological advancements among experts and researchers, thus contributing to the growth of  the sector.

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Signet The Biggest-Grossing Jeweller In North America By Far In 2025

Luxury Groups, Specialist Watch Retailers, and Branded Jewellery Players Are Steadily Gaining Ground Against Traditional Mass-Market and Department-Store Operators

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National Jeweler’s latest State of the Majors report highlights a shifting leaderboard among North America’s “$100M supersellers,” which grew from 36 to 37 qualifying retailers in 2025. While Signet Group comfortably defended its first-place crown—generating $6.36 billion across 2,329 stores—the rest of the top ten saw major disruption. Signet’s total watch and jewelry sales for the year were $6.36 billion according to the report and had 2,329 outlets. Second-placed Richemont, the Swiss luxury conglomerate, sold  $3.62 billion, with just 105 locations selling watches and jewlery.             

One of the report’s most notable developments was the rise of Richemont to the No. 2 position, overtaking several larger-format retailers. The Swiss luxury conglomerate, owner of prestigious maisons including Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, reported $3.62 billion in watch and jewellery sales through only 105 locations. The performance illustrates the outsized revenue-generating power of luxury retail, with Richemont achieving high productivity per store compared with mass-market competitors.

The reshuffling pushed Walmart down to fourth place, signaling a broader shift in consumer spending toward premium and luxury jewellery categories. Meanwhile, warehouse retailer Costco advanced to No. 5, continuing to strengthen its position in fine jewellery through value-led offerings and member-driven purchasing.

Jewellery brand Pandora also climbed one rank to secure the No. 7 spot, reflecting sustained demand for branded jewellery collections and accessible luxury products. In contrast, luxury powerhouse LVMH slipped to No. 6, while longstanding department store chain Macy’s moved down to eighth place, highlighting increased competitive pressures within traditional retail channels.

Another significant change came at the lower end of the top ten, where Watches of Switzerland Group entered the rankings at No. 10, marking growing momentum for specialist luxury watch retail in North America. Its entry displaced Bucherer to No. 11, emphasizing the increasingly competitive nature of premium watch distribution.

The report points to a broader transformation in North America’s jewellery retail hierarchy, where luxury groups, specialist watch retailers, and branded jewellery players are steadily gaining ground against traditional mass-market and department-store operators. While scale remains a decisive advantage—as demonstrated by Signet’s market leadership—the rankings suggest profitability and influence are increasingly being driven by premium positioning, brand equity, and high-value transactions rather than store count alone.

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