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VICENZAORO JANUARY 2026: A programme of events centred on jewellery as a system of people, product and places
From 16th to 20th January 2026, Vicenzaoro will be back as the international gold and jewellery world’s reference platform, a business, training and information hub for the global community. An indispensable event for market players and the industry’s thought leaders, Italian Exhibition Group’s (IEG) b2b trade show will open the global calendar of sector events with a programme of talks, seminars and meetings that will develop the jewellery story through the claim People · Product · Places : an ecosystem that centres on people, the value of the product and the places – both physical and cultural – where the jewel is born, transformed and marketed.

The big new entry will be the debut of the VO Awards to celebrate the sector’s excellence: creativity, vision and the ability to interpret the present and future of jewellery. The award ceremony, to be held on Sunday 18th January, at 6.30 pm in the Expo Centre’s Palladio Theatre, will see a jury of experts awarding the best expressions of the jewellery system, chosen from the finalist products nominated by the exhibitors. Companies, buyers and visitors to the show will also participate in the vote.
PEOPLE: EXCELLENCE THAT INSPIRES TALENT
The Vicenzaoro January story starts from people and the sector invests in the talents of tomorrow. On Friday 16th January, at 8.30 am, students will begin the IEG event’s proceedings which will open the doors of its Palladio Theatre to the Golden Talk, organized in collaboration with Skuola.net. The official opening ceremony to formalize the start of the event will follow at 12 noon. Young goldsmith talents will also be at the fore in the PROGOLD Design Contest (Friday) and at the meeting with Assocoral (Sunday) on the power of artisan know-how in which skills, craftsmanship and creativity are essential levers for the future. CIBJO , on the other hand, will focus on future generations of consumers in one of the eight seminars of the Jewellery Industry Voices series, a joint CSR and sustainability educational programme for the jewellery industry presented by CIBJO and IEG, which has been recognized by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
Another new entry will be the 27th Symposium for the thirtieth anniversary of FEEG – Federation for European Education in Gemmology, which, with an eye towards young European talents, will feature some of the most authoritative voices on the global gemmological scene.

PRODUCT: JEWELLERY BETWEEN TRENDS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Products are the core of Vicenzaoro, the trend show which, with Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting, its permanent observatory on luxury trends, provides previews of the languages, shapes and directions of contemporary design. Entitled “Coded Couture”, Saturday’s event will offer companies a concrete tool for planning new collections and strategies.
Between Saturday and Sunday, great attention will be paid to gems, the protagonists of a complex cultural and professional journey. IGI’s Gem Talk entitled “Red Ruby. From the mine to the jewel” will turn the spotlight on the queen of precious gems and analyse its value along the supply chain, from origin to the final consumer. The Japan Pearl Exporters’ Association will analyse the history, quality and sustainability of the Akoya pearl, while CIBJO will delve into the effects of AI on gemmological laboratories and certificates, the potential of coloured gems, and the diamond industry’s current state and prospects.
The story will be further enriched by witness accounts of the profession and the vision of jewellery that Assogemme offers at every edition, involving authoritative voices from the most popular jewellery companies.
The industry snapshot will be completed by a series of technical insights that CIBJO will dedicate to sustainability, traceability, regulatory compliance and innovation, suggesting tools and best practices that companies operating in global contexts will find useful. In addition to introducing the Gold Principles Group, which promotes collaboration across the value chain in order to achieve common sustainability goals, risk management, promoting change within the supply chain, and the use of DNA-based physical tracers and blockchain technology for tracking and tracing gems, diamonds and jewellery will also be discussed.
PLACES: MARKETS, SCENARIOS, RETAIL
Support for interpreting market trends will come from Club degli Orafi and Intesa Sanpaolo’s customary analysis of the economic scenario, sector sentiment and prospects for internationalization (Friday). The topic of places of consumption will be central in Confcommercio Federpreziosi’s Retail Talks (Monday) which will spotlight points of sale and consumer behaviour, exploring the narrative and emotional levers that influence jewellery purchases.
THE “GOLDEN KEY” TO THE BUYER EXPERIENCE
The entire Vicenzaoro experience is designed to favour business matching and create concrete opportunities for relationships and exchange: from the offer of hospitality in luxury hubs to tailor-made physical and digital services. The Jewellery Connect platform, also available as an app and already active, allows operators to consult the exhibitor catalogue, plan their itinerary at the show, manage appointments and receive personalized suggestions.
Hospitality will be completed with VIOFF – Vicenzaoro’s Off Show event, developed around the “Golden Key” theme, the key that opens the door to future opportunities. Thanks to a calendar of multiple events set up with the city of Vicenza, international visitors will be able to experience Italian lifestyle and discover the city’s historic centre between shopping, art, culture and food and wine, as well as events involving the local area. The Jewellery Museum, housed in the Basilica Palladiana, a UNESCO heritage site, will add further enrichment with a new exhibition that traces over two centuries of Italian goldsmith tradition.
With the claim People · Product · Places, Vicenzaoro January 2026 confirms its status as a cultural and professional ecosystem in which jewellery takes shape through people, expresses itself in the product, and finds meaning in the places of the market and relationships.
ShowBuzz
Bvlgari’s Lucia Silvestri Gives Away Top Honours at The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026
Global Design Vision Meets Indian Craftsmanship as Artisan Awards 2026 Celebrates Innovation and Heritage
The 9th edition of the Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026, organised by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and curated by The Futurist, concluded in Mumbai on April 8, bringing together the finest expressions of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation in jewellery design.
The Artisan Awards 2026 were powered by GIA and supported by the World Gold Council.
Held in the distinguished presence of Lucia Silvestri, Creative Director & Gems Buying Director, Bvlgari; Amedeo Scognamiglio, Founder & Creative Director, RFMAS Jewellery Group; Dr. Annapurna Garimella, Art Historian & Designer; Siddharth Kasliwal, Founder, Gem Palace; Milan Chokshi, Founder, Moksh; Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, GIA India; and Paola De Luca, Creative Director & Trend Forecaster, and Curator of the Artisan Awards.
From GJEPC, the event was attended by Kirit Bhansali, Chairman; Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman; Ashish Borda, Convener – Promotions, Marketing & Business Development; Jayanti Savaliya, Regional Chairman – Gujarat; Vijay Mangukiya, Convener – International Exhibitions; Mansukh Kothari, Convener – Events; and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director.

Instituted in 2014, the Artisan Awards has evolved into one of the industry’s most prestigious design-led platforms—encouraging originality, nurturing creative talent, and supporting India’s journey from a manufacturing powerhouse to a global design destination.
This year’s theme, “Quantum Couture: Re-engineering Beauty and Cultural Codes,” explored a powerful shift in how jewellery is conceived and experienced—where heritage is not just preserved, but reinterpreted for a new era.
Through three creative directions—Embroidery, Micro-Painting, and Poetic Layers—designers presented jewellery that is fluid, expressive, and deeply conceptual, blending traditional craftsmanship with technology, storytelling, and contemporary design thinking.
Embroidery reimagined textile traditions as structure, where elements like lace, thread, and brocade were translated into metal and gemstones. Techniques such as filigree and jali evolved into intricate frameworks, creating pieces that felt layered, lightweight, and architectural.
Micro-Painting celebrated precision and storytelling at a miniature scale—drawing from heritage crafts like meenakari and miniature art. Each piece became a detailed narrative, where craftsmanship, symbolism, and technique came together to create intimate and meaningful expressions.
Poetic Layers explored jewellery as a multi-dimensional form—where nature, emotion, and structure intertwined. Through organic shapes and layered compositions, designers created pieces that felt fluid, sculptural, and deeply expressive.
With over 550 entries, the competition culminated in 27 finalists, whose ideas were brought to life by leading manufacturers, highlighting the seamless synergy between design innovation and manufacturing excellence.
Importantly, the journey of these creations does not end here. The 27 winning pieces will go on to be showcased at leading international platforms such as JCK Las Vegas, Vicenzaoro, IIJS Bharat Mumbai, SAJEX in Saudi Arabia, and other leading trade shows—taking the brilliance of Indian jewellery design to a wider global audience and reinforcing India’s growing presence in design-led jewellery.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said

“India has long been recognised as a manufacturing powerhouse, but the next phase of growth lies in becoming a global design destination. Platforms like the Artisan Awards play a crucial role in encouraging original thinking and shaping the future identity of Indian jewellery.”
Lucia Silvestri, Jewellery Creative & Gems Buying Director, Bvlgari, Said:
“I have always been deeply fascinated by India’s extraordinary heritage in jewellery, a tradition that is incredibly rich in craftsmanship, symbolism, and artistry. There is a profound sense of history and culture embedded in every detail, which makes it a constant source of inspiration for me. Having reviewed the design sketches, I was particularly struck by the way this heritage is being reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. There is a beautiful balance between tradition and innovation, where legacy meets modern creativity.”

Paola De Luca, Creative Director & Strategist, The Futurist LLC, Said:

“I am honoured to be part of India’s enduring legacy of jewellery and craftsmanship. India continues to inspire the world of jewellery, now empowering a new wave of creative voices and future icons. From heritage to horizon, India fuels the next generation of jewellery designers redefining global aesthetics.”
Ashish Borda, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC, said:
“With over 550 entries responding to the theme of Quantum Couture, we witnessed bold imagination and fresh interpretations. Designers embraced heritage as a foundation to create something distinctly modern, reflecting the growing maturity of the talent pool. Through platforms like the Artisan Awards, GJEPC remains committed to nurturing design innovation and strengthening India’s position in high-value, design-led jewellery.”

The awards were adjudicated by an eminent jury comprising Lucia Silvestri, Creative Director & Gems Buying Director, Bvlgari; Amedeo Scognamiglio, Founder & Creative Director, RFMAS Jewellery Group; Dr Annapurna Garimella, Art Historian & Designer; Siddharth Kasliwal, Founder, Gem Palace; and Milan Chokshi, Founder, Moksh.
Amedeo Scognamiglio, Founder & Creative Director, RFMAS Jewellery Group, said:

“My personal journey is rooted in a multi-generational Italian family tradition of craftsmanship, where technique is inherited, refined, and respected. At the same time, I have always felt the need to challenge that legacy through a contemporary design language of my own. This duality is exactly why the Artisan Awards resonate with me. The designers I reviewed carry the same weight of heritage, but also the courage to evolve it — and that is where true creativity lives. I see in them the younger me.”
Dr Annapurna Garimella, Art Historian & Designer, said:
“Refined, ebullient, or wild — craft from India, especially in precious materials, has seduced the connoisseurs of the world for centuries. As an art historian, I am intrigued by the way historic and contemporary makers think through concept, purpose and material. As a designer working with artisan-designers and craftspeople, I am also seduced by the transmission and transformation of historic skills and knowledge. The Artisan Awards allow me to closely observe how other designers work, and it excites me to think about how they visualise concepts and realise them.”

Siddharth Kasliwal, Founder, Gem Palace, Said:

“What really stood out to me while judging at the Artisan Awards was the sheer fearlessness in creativity. There was a beautiful balance—designs that respected tradition, yet weren’t afraid to push boundaries and explore something new. That’s exactly the kind of mindset our industry needs today. Platforms like the Artisan Awards play such an important role in encouraging artisans and designers to think bigger, take risks, and evolve. It’s genuinely exciting to see this level of talent shaping the future of jewellery design.”
Milan Chokshi, Founder, Moksh, said:
“The structure of the Artisan Awards pushes the participants to really explore ideas, and at the same time present originality—extremely relevant in these times of excessive mechanical reproduction, where almost nothing seems original and everything can be made in unlimited quantities.”

Winners: The Artisan Awards 2026
| EMBROIDERY | DESIGNER NAME | MANUFACTURED BY |
| WINNER | Surajit Ghosal | Anan Jewels India LLP |
| 1ST RUNNER UP | Lekshmi Raj Manju | Walking Tree Pvt.Ltd. |
| 2ND RUNNER UP | Prajakta Vesvikar | Anan Jewels India LLP |
Winner Suraji Bhosal

1ST RUNNER UP – Lekshmi Raj Manju

2ND RUNNER UP – Prajakta Vesvikar

| MICRO PAINTING | ||
| WINNER | Kavitha Rajendran | GRT Jewellers |
| 1ST RUNNER UP | Elena Pari | Arun Jewels |
| 2ND RUNNER UP | Archangel Caszo | Farah Khan Fine Jewellery Pvt.Ltd. |
WINNER – Kavitha Rajendran

1ST RUNNER UP – Elena Pari

2ND RUNNER UP – Archangel Caszo

| POETIC LAYERS | ||
| WINNER | Namira Shaikh | Farah Khan Fine Jewellery Pvt.Ltd. |
| 1ST RUNNER UP | Nayonika Chatterjee | Walking Tree Ventures |
| 2ND RUNNER UP | Abhijit Das | Anan Jewels India LLP |
WINNER – Namira Shaikh

1ST RUNNER UP – Nayonika Chatterjee

2ND RUNNER UP – Abhijit Das

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