Jewel of Italy 2014

The noblest blend of perfection and innovation

Since the Etruscan time, Italy has been recognized for pursuing pure perfection and enduring innovation in jewellery making...

Italian charms - the rebound industry

ITALY is the foremost manufacturer and exporter of mass-produced and crafted gold jewellery. With a long history of jewellery production in quality and design with gold, silver, platinum, precious and semi-precious stones, cameos and coral, certain district including Vicenza, Arezzo, Valenza and Torre del Greco are well-known for combining traditional artistry and innovative design in the world. The World Gold Council (WGC) reported that in 2013 Italy has the world’s third largest gold reserves, coming after the United States and Germany and going beyond France and China. From 2013 to the first quarter of 2014, seeing the mood at Vicenzaoro fair, one of the largest trade fairs for the Italian jewellery industry and Italian pavilion at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show (HKIJS), one of the largest overseas pavilions featuring more than 160 Italian jewellers, it was signaled a return of growth in the global trade. In terms of the fine jewellery exports, jewellery was the 4th largest goods sector for 2013 Italian exports to Hong Kong, after fashion apparel, leather goods and artisan items, with a market share of 6.29 percent and an overall value in products exported of US$795 million, up 21 percent over 2012. During the first nine months of 2013, Italian jewellery exports to worldwide were up 6.9 percent in value from the same period of 2012 to US$4,316.4 million despite a sharp fall in gold prices and a drop in volumes. In terms of quantity, exports fell 1.4 percent to 3,173 tonnes. Italian export recovery is more consistent. In the first nine months of 2013 it marked a growth of 13 percent in value, and exports to China and Hong Kong together accounts for a growth of 10 percent.

Italian jewellery exports in value (Jan-Sep 2013)

(Source: Enterprise Studies Centre of the University of Verona)

Message from Paola Guida, Italian Trade Commissioner, ICE

‘JEWELS of Italy’ is the gala evening hosted by the Italian Trade Commission, every year since 2005. This annual event has become a tradition and the climax of the Italian participation at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show. This year, the Italian pavilion was the largest national pavilion at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show, and the second biggest number of companies participated in the two fairs, bringing the authentic “Made in Italy” jewellery into the Asian markets through Hong Kong. Italian jewellery has a long tradition in the Italian aesthetic culture. The name itself represents quality, style, creativity, technology and above all, the pursuit of elegance, glamour and artistry. Modern Italian jewellery has transcended from luxury goods to an art form, thanks to our designers and artisans who infuse the artistic significance into them. Italian jewellery is beyond comparison in design, quality of precious materials, and breakthroughs in production skills and technology. With the aesthetic intensity, Italian jewellery is able to arouse different emotions in those who connect with it. This year our Gala Evening was held in the Sky Lounge at the Central Plaza, Wanchai. We have selected some unique and representational masterpieces from our Italian jewellery companies, featuring four trends for this edition: Abstract minimalism, Avant-garde exoticism, Vintage flavour, and Digital city. The trend themes are identified by TRENDVISION – Jewellery + Forecasting, a division of Fiera di Vicenza. The Italian Trade Commission in Hong Kong is in a strategic position to facilitate Italian companies in promoting products and services to Hong Kong. As the organizer of the Italian pavilion and the gala evening, we are connecting more Hong Kong and Asian companies to the Italian Jewellery sector which is the trendsetter, quality materials provider and jewellery production centre of excellence. Hong Kong represents one of the most dynamic markets in the world. The leading role of Hong Kong is more and more in evidence. This is manifested from the continuous increase of Italian jewellery exhibitors in this show and the volume of jewellery products exported to Hong Kong. I am confident that more business collaborations would be generated after the jewellery fair and the gala event.

Glittering in Hong Kong

THE Italian Trade Commission (ICE), in collaboration with TRENDVISION Jewellery + Forecasting, once again hosted the ‘Jewels of Italy’ at the Sky Lobby in Central Plaza on 6 March 2014. Top models such as Ana R, Kelly Fu, Ceci Li, and Germaine Li were invited to take part in the spectacular showcase, delivering the fascinated charisma of Italy by modelling 52 sets of exquisite Italian jewellery. During the parade, the four main trends for 2014 including Abstract minimalism, Avant-garde exoticism, Vintage flavour and Digital city were presented. Injected innovative design concepts and artistic elements, each set of jewellery is made by refined craftsmanship and various precious materials. All these creations are an expression of the pursuit of perfection in Italy, which astonished everybody during the event.

Abstract Minimalism (The essentialist)

AN elementary expression re-establishing a bare, serene timelessness. Through a distortion view, geometric motifs grow in a linear and austere chaos. A pared-down approach to design, focusing on distinctive minimalist forms, authenticity and traditional craftsmanship.

Avant-grade Exoticism (The exoticist)

EXOTIC fantasies and avant-garde visions blend harmonically in a multi-cultural elegance. Flamboyant concepts that have timeless quality and an extremely decorative character.

Vintage Flavour (The romantic)

A new romanticism emerges with delicate laser cut-out, ethereal looks and dark moods. The codes of royalty are shaken up and punk culture is shifting through to fine jewellery.

Digital City (The digitalist)

A fascinating and playful concoction of art, science and technology. Futuristic styles emerge in a cosmos couture. Iridescent, lunar surfaces, spatial designs blend in lustrous aesthetics.

Italian participation sees splendid results

THE Italian Trade Commission (ICE) is pleased to announce the overwhelming responses for the Italian involvement at the recent Hong Kong March shows. Italian pavilion has again made the largest-ever presence at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show (HKIJS) between 5 and 9 March 2014. As the biggest European pavilion, it gathered around 200 Italian exquisite exhibitors showcasing their latest jewellery collections from silver and gold, to corals and pearls, gemstones and diamonds. Around 30 Italian jewellers dedicating to the production of loose stones including corals, pearls and gemstones debuted at the 1st edition of Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show (HKIDGPS) from 3 to 7 March, further extending the overall scale of Italian pavilion in Hong Kong. During the shows, a series of fascinating events were hosted by ICE. A press conference organized by ICE in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Fiera di Vicenza (FdV) and the Association of Italian Jewellery Machinery Manufacturers and Exporters (AFEMO) highlighted the continuous support of Italian jewellery sector in the Hong Kong and the Far East markets. Another highlight was the seminar on Trend Forecast Seasons 2015 conducted by TRENDVISION Jewellery + Forecasting which presented the insights in Italian jewellery design and market trends. During HKIJS 2014, for the first time, around 40 Italian machinery producers presented their leading-edge technology and state-of-the-art machinery to the trade inside the T-GOLD INTERNATIONAL pavilion, organized by AFEMO and FdV.

HKJIS & HKIDGPS 2014 Italy pavilion exhibitors

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

AsiaWorld Expo