Valenza Gem Forum: The Future of Valenza’s Gem and Jewelry Heritage

The Forum will take place on Thursday, October 22, 2026, starting at 2:30 p.m. at Spazio 750 in Valenza. It is an important opportunity for professionals, entrepreneurs, experts, institutional representatives, academics and industry leaders to meet and exchange ideas. Key topics for the district’s productivity will include high jewelry consumption and distribution trends, creativity and innovation, traceability, and the sourcing of precious stones and diamonds, which have been set in Valenza for more than two centuries. These skills lie at the heart of the district’s long-standing jewelry-making tradition. «The Valenza Gem Forum was created to highlight the value of our district, the people who bring it to life, and the expertise that has earned it an international reputation», says Alessia Crivelli, President of Fondazione Mani Intelligenti. «That is why it is essential to create opportunities for dialogue across the entire high jewelry supply chain, with the goal of making this event increasingly global by bringing the Forum to leading international jewelry events.» This commitment also extends to younger generations: «At Fondazione Mani Intelligenti, we continue to invest in education and training so that young people can recognize this industry as an opportunity for professional and personal growth and help shape the future of Valenza and the wider sector.» This year’s central theme will be how jewelry is evolving in response to changes reshaping the market and consumer habits, with a particular focus on Gen Z. Understanding younger consumers’ values, expectations and purchasing behaviors is a strategic challenge for companies in the industry, which must interpret an increasingly dynamic concept of luxury, where tradition, identity, innovation and new forms of creative expression intersect. The program will also explore artificial intelligence and emerging technologies applied to jewelry design, the role of gemstones in creative and design processes, the relationship between supply and demand, and manufacturers’ evolving needs. Other topics will include the comparison between natural and lab-grown diamonds, the outlook for international markets, and the changes affecting the entire supply chain. Dialogue among industry stakeholders and a shared commitment to common goals are central to the collaboration between the Forum’s partners. «An event like the Valenza Gem Forum represents an opportunity to strengthen the international positioning of the Valenza district, recognized as the world capital of high jewelry and a symbol of Italian jewelry excellence», says Matteo Farsura, Global Exhibition Manager Jewellery & Fashion at IEG. «The value of this event comes from a collective effort and a shared vision, reflected in the caliber of the speakers and the authority of the partners involved, to whom we extend our sincere thanks.» Farsura believes that high-quality discussion can generate new opportunities for connections and growth across the supply chain. «Supporting events like this means enabling Vicenzaoro and IEG to promote the industry’s competitiveness, support innovation, and strengthen dialogue between Italy’s manufacturing districts and international markets.» The Valenza Gem Forum program will feature two main sessions, designed to bring together different areas of expertise, perspectives and ideas. The «University & Innovation» session will focus on the contribution of academia and the opportunities created by technological innovation. Discussions will explore artificial intelligence, new digital applications, and the ways these tools can support jewelry design and development, opening up new possibilities for creativity and product development. Speakers will include Professor PaoloMinzioni, Vice Rector for Innovation and Artificial Intelligence for Teaching at the University of Pavia, and Professor Matteo Alvaro, Vice Rector for International Affairs and President of the Cristal Research Center. From technological innovation to market dynamics, the «Business & Market» session will bring together manufacturers, industry professionals and experts to discuss changing demand, evolving consumer behavior and the outlook for the supply chain. It will provide an opportunity to analyze market developments, identify new opportunities and consider the strategies needed to navigate ongoing changes. Transparency and traceability are central to this landscape. «In a constantly evolving market, it is essential to encourage dialogue among all stakeholders across the supply chain and strengthen a shared culture of transparency, traceability and responsibility», says Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO. «Initiatives like this help build an increasingly informed industry, better equipped to meet future challenges while preserving the value and authenticity of its finest achievements.» The Valenza Gem Forum aims to celebrate the district’s wealth of expertise and craftsmanship, connecting its heritage with emerging trends, new technologies and the needs of a changing market. Speakers in the «Business & Market» session will include Francesca Manfredi, Head of Sustainable Innovation, Watches & Jewellery at Kering; Hasu Dholakiya, CEO of Dholakia Lab Grown Diamond; and Emma Wade-Smith, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs at De Beers Group.