Highlights, September 2026: Trust and Emotion for the New Generations

The third day of Vicenzaoro September opens under the banner of reflections that have emersed from the Centennial Congress of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation, which is celebrating its first 100 years of activity right here in Vicenza. A milestone that, in the words of President Gaetano Cavalieri, not only pays tribute to an important past, but above all to the beginning of the second century of the industry’s most authoritative international organization. Tracing the association’s evolution, founded in 1926 and now a global benchmark for the entire jewelry supply chain, Cavalieri highlighted the role CIBJO has played in establishing shared standards, common nomenclature, and principles of responsibility throughout the value chain. Work that has resulted in the Blue Books:international reference documents for diamonds, colored gemstones, pearls, precious metals and responsible sourcing. But while the past tells the story of a century of rules and integrity, the present looks at the profound transformations that are redefining the global market. Highly anticipated keynote speakers included Gareth Penny, former CEO of De Beers and current chairman of Ninety One, who delivered a clear message: the future of natural diamonds will depend on the industry’s ability to re-convey emotion and meaning. «Consumers need to understand why they should choose a natural diamond,» he said, emphasizing that a diamond’s value lies not in its chemical composition, but in its ability to celebrate life’s most important moments. «If we can’t sell a dream, our industry is doomed.»According to Penny, the challenge is to make natural diamonds the heart of a story of love, commitment and authenticity again, especially for younger generations. Sustainability, while still essential, is not enough: «We need to go from doing good to demonstrating the good we do.» Martin Rapaport echoed this sentiment in addressing the diamond market crisis and the impact of the rise of synthetic diamonds. According to the founder of the Rapaport Group, the industry must reposition natural diamonds in the realm of emotion and authentic luxury: «We have to sell a feeling; we have to sell an emotion.» Rapaport also underlined how growing global wealth and the generational transfer of wealth could provide an opportunity to revive demand for jewelry with natural diamonds: « Demand for luxury goods will be extraordinary.» This opinion finds a natural complement in the trend research presented by Paola De Luca. The Trendbook not only identifies aesthetic trends but also offers a broader interpretation of the cultural and social transformations that influence contemporary consumption. «In a context of chaotic information, it is important to make people understand that research is the result of method and discipline.» New expressions of luxury, sustainability, identity, technological innovation and generational change thus become tools for understanding the expectations of tomorrow’s consumers. The figures for Vicenzaoro September 2026 also provide the backdrop for this record-breaking edition: 1,300 brands from 40 countries with international exhibitors accounting for 45% of the total. The international delegation has never been larger with 910 buyers from 73 countries, up 33% compared to September 2025. The United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China and Spain head the list of participating delegations, confirming Vicenza’s role as a global hub for the gold and jewelry industry.