JB Insights
VICENZAORO JANUARY 2024
IEG’s trade show is the global jewellery industry’s choice
Attendance +3% more than 2023 on the 70th anniversary, 141 countries of origin. The United States, Turkey and Spain on the podium. Enhanced hosted buyer programme thanks to ITA – Italian trade Agency
More than 1,300 exhibiting brands
Technologies: T.Gold, showcase of top products for the supply chain. In 2025, the first edition of “The Vicenza Symposium”, a global scientific event
Watchmaking segment consolidated with TIME for B2B. Visitors to VO Vintage up 13%
More than 490 students at the 20 events in the city’s VIOFF programme
Work to start on the new 22,000-square-metre hall: an investment of about Euro 60mn
Vicenzaoro January 2024 exceeds all the most optimistic prior expectations of the Vicenza – Italy gold and jewellery exhibition’s 70-year anniversary. Italian Exhibition Group’s «boutique show» closed today with a 3% increase in attendance at the Vicenza Expo Centre, surpassing last January’s record edition. Moreover, at this edition, six out of ten visitors came from abroad: the global jewellery industry has chosen, Vicenza will be a market hub for the next 70 years. IEG responds with the start of work on the new 22,000-square-meter hall.
THE VICENZAORO JANUARY 2024 NUMBERS
Foreign attendance has been confirmed at 60% of the total, arriving from 141 countries around the world, up from 136 in 2023: with Europe counting 53%, the Middle East 9.3%, Asia 10.5%, Turkey 8%, North America 7.2%, Latin America 5.1% and Africa 4.9%.
Among the most represented individual countries overall: the United States and Turkey; from Europe Spain, Germany, France, Greece and the UK; from the Middle East the United Arab Emirates, while standing out from Asia are India, China, Japan, Thailand and Hong Kong. The largest increases are for China (+188%), Japan (+44%), Colombia (+38%), Brazil (+36%) and France (+25%). Among the new entries at Vicenzaoro: Tanzania, El Salvador and Honduras. Veneto, Lombardy, Tuscany and Piedmont confirm an extremely positive trend for Italian attendance, which saw an overall increase of 3.2% compared to 2023.
T.GOLD ON THE RISE
At this edition, T.Gold, the leading international innovation showcase featuring the most advanced machinery for goldsmithing and the latest processes applied to gold and jewellery, organized in partnership with A.F.E.M.O., saw a 4.7% increase in attendance.
TIMEPIECES.
In the timepiece segment, VO Vintage consolidated its success with exhibitors up 22% for vintage watches and jewellery open to the B2C public, with collectors, experts and watch lovers from Italy and around the world also up +13%.
INDUSTRY AND TRAINING, PASSION MAKES A COMEBACK
Gold and jewellery see restored generational turnover in the labour market. Industry and education meet at Vicenzaoro: 23 schools at the Show, mostly from Italy and from France, Germany and the UK for a total of about 750 students and escorts, all involved in the many initiatives. In the VIOFF programme of city events, Vicenzaoro’s off-show, more than 490 students took part in the 20 events on the calendar.
THE EXPO CENTRE CHANGES FACE, 2024 IS THE YEAR OF WORK ON THE NEW HALL
The close of Vicenzaoro January 2024 will mark the opening of the building site that will return a new layout to the Vicenza Expo Centre for the September 2026 edition. The new 22,000-square-meter hall will replace Hall 2, the historic “snail” built in 1971, and Hall 5, to provide more space for exhibitors and better “navigability” for visitors inside the building. The investment of about 60 million euros is fully financed by IEG.
“THE VICENZA SYMPOSIUM”, THE NEW EVENT ON IEG’S JEWELLERY AGENDA
Italian Exhibition Group’s Jewellery Agenda will be further enriched as of 2025 with a new international event, “The Vicenza Symposium” scheduled to take place from 2 – 4 September. Vicenza will therefore inherit the scientific legacy of the “Santa Fe Symposium” which closed in 2022. A biennial event with a problem-solving approach for companies, the Symposium is the result of IEG’s collaboration with two leading companies in the T.Gold world: Legor and Xolutions.
GLOBAL STAKEHOLDERS AND INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS
Vicenzaoro January confirmed its role as an international reference point due to the presence of the entire institutional and association world. From Confindustria Federorafi, Confartigianato Orafi, Confcommercio Federpreziosi, CNA Orafi, Confimi Industria Categoria Orafa ed Argentiera to Assogemme, Assocoral and A.F.E.M.O. – Association of Jewellery Machinery Manufacturers and Exporters, CIBJO – World Jewellery Confederation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, ITA – Italian Trade Agency.
The community’s next appointment with Vicenzaoro will be from 6th to 10th September 2024.
JB Insights
PM Modi’s Appeal Sparks Wider Conversation Around Responsible Gold Consumption
Industry Voices Discuss Sustainability, Smarter Gold Utilisation, and Evolving Consumer Behaviour Amid Economic Uncertainty
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks encouraging mindful spending and responsible gold consumption have triggered widespread discussions across India’s jewellery industry. The comments come at a time of heightened global economic uncertainty, rising crude oil prices, and increasing pressure on import-dependent sectors.
With gold continuing to remain one of India’s most culturally significant assets as well as a major import commodity, industry stakeholders are now exploring ways to balance consumer sentiment, economic stability, and long-term sustainability.
Leaders from across the gems and jewellery sector have largely viewed the remarks as an opportunity to encourage more efficient utilisation of existing gold resources, while also adapting to changing consumer preferences.
Prithviraj Kothari, Managing Director at RiddiSiddhi Bullions Ltd., President of India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd. and Chairman at Jain International Trade Organisation:
“The impact will be psychological, not structural. India’s 10–12 million annual weddings embed gold demand that is pre-committed and culturally non-negotiable — Akshaya Tritiya, Dhanteras, and wedding-season buying will not simply stop on a PM’s appeal. The PM’s words, however, may nudge discretionary buyers toward lighter jewellery, digital gold, and ETFs — formats that don’t trigger import demand. In FY26, India imported nearly $72 billion worth of gold — a record high. Global cues — Iran-US tensions, crude oil, and the dollar — will dominate price direction. The appeal is a signal of macro seriousness, not a market-moving policy lever.”
Rajesh Rokde, Chairman, All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC), said:
“India’s economic strength must always come before individual preferences. The Hon’ble Prime Minister’s appeal reflects larger concerns around imports and foreign exchange reserves. At the same time, India already possesses thousands of tonnes of idle household gold. The solution may not lie only in reducing demand, but also in unlocking the immense value of existing gold through a transparent and regulated Gold Monetisation Scheme.”
According to GJC, a revitalised and jeweller-integrated Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) could help:
- Mobilise idle household gold
- Reduce import dependence
- Strengthen the formal economy
- Improve transparency and traceability
- Convert dormant gold into productive national capital
Avinash Gupta, Vice Chairman, GJC, added:
“Gold has always been emotionally and culturally connected to Indian households. Respecting the Prime Minister’s vision for national interest, the industry believes that a robust and regulated Gold Monetisation Scheme can become a long-term solution for India. The answer lies not only in consuming less gold, but in utilising existing gold more efficiently, transparently and productively.”
Industry experts also highlighted how evolving consumer choices are already reshaping jewellery buying patterns, particularly among younger generations seeking lighter, versatile, and value-conscious options.
Suvankar Sen, MD & CEO, Senco Gold & Diamonds, noted:
“The sharp decline in gold imports for jewellery consumption reflects both changing consumer behaviour and industry adaptation. With nearly 20,000 tonnes of gold lying idle within the Indian economy, there is a strong need for the Government and industry stakeholders to work together to mobilise this dormant asset.”
He further added that the industry is adapting through lower-weight and lower-carat jewellery products to maintain affordability and accessibility for consumers.
Meanwhile, Visshnupriya Singh, CEO, Svariya, pointed toward the growing demand for demi-fine jewellery among millennials and Gen Z consumers.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on mindful gold buying have sparked an important shift toward smarter and more practical consumer choices. While gold will always hold cultural and emotional value in India, millennials and Gen Z are increasingly choosing jewellery that balances elegance, versatility, and affordability.”
She added:
“This growing preference is driving demand for demi-fine jewellery, where consumers can enjoy premium design and craftsmanship without making heavy investment purchases. At Svariya, we believe modern luxury today is defined by individuality, everyday wearability, and smart style choices.”
Despite ongoing discussions around consumption patterns and imports, industry observers believe gold’s emotional and cultural relevance in India — especially during weddings, festivals, and family celebrations — remains deeply rooted. At the same time, the conversation has opened new avenues around responsible consumption, sustainable growth, gold recycling, and smarter utilisation of existing resources within the Indian jewellery ecosystem.
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