Unparalleled glamour of Italian jewellery

Italian jewellery once again made an impact in the two concurrent jewellery shows in Hong Kong, HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show (HKIJS) and HKTDC Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show (HKIDGPS), in spring this year. Organised by the Italian Trade Commission (ITA), the Italy Pavilion housed 164 companies at HKIJS and 34 companies at HKIDGPS, making it the biggest Italy Pavilion in history.

Alongside pavilion members, numerous leading Italian jewellers have showcased their new collections at ‘Hall of Extraordinary’, ‘Hall of Fame’, ‘Hall of Antique’ and ‘Treasures of Craftsmanship’ across HKIJS.

Held during 1-5 March 2016 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, HKIJS dedicated to showcasing finished fine jewellery. A total of 2,502 exhibitors from 41 countries and regions welcomed 49,294 buyers from 143 countries and regions.

HKIDGPS, mainly on loose diamonds, coral, gemstones and pearls and other raw materials, was held during 3-7 March 2016 at Asia-World Expo. It attracted 1,886 exhibitors from 42 countries and regions and was attended by 31,242 buyers from 137 countries and regions, according to HKTDC.

Aiming to help Italian jewellers internationalise and gain a foothold in different markets, the Hong Kong and Macau offices of ITA set up information booths inside the Italy Pavilion in both shows. Professional interpretation services, pavilion map, exhibitor catalogue and onsite information were provided to facilitate exhibitors and visitors. Special tours were also arranged to guide VIPs through the fascinating world of Italian jewellery during the shows.

A series of complementary activities were organised to boost understanding of the Italian jewellery tradition, the foremost of which was the ‘Timeless Seduction-Coral and cameo between Memory and Modernity’ exhibition co-organised by ITA and Assocoral, an Italian national organisation of coral and jewellery manufacturers.

Selected guests including socialites of Hong Kong and worldwide jewellery practitioners graced the cocktail opening of the event on 4 March 2016 with their presence. The exhibition focused on the cultural heritage of coral and cameo and how it was maintained by modern jewellers. In addition to celebrating Italian craftsmanship and design, the exhibition demonstrated Italian jewellers’ modern take on intricate lapidary work.

Besides, two seminars were provided to offer insight to the public on Italy’s jewellery sector: ‘Italy’s Contribution to Responsible Marine Environment Practices in the Coral Jewellery Sector’ held during HKIDGPS on 2 March 2016 gave the audience an overview on the coral harvesting and manufacturing sectors around the world and best-practices of jewellers in conserving the marine environment; ‘Timeless Seduction - Coral and cameo between Memory and Modernity’ seminar held during HKIJS on 5 March 2016 highlighted the history of coral and shell cameo jewellery.

By offering visitors a holistic perspective of Italian jewellery, the organiser illustrated the different facets of this energetic and charismatic industry and helped worldwide customers to better appreciate the beauty and true value of ‘Made-in-Italy’ jewels.

Committed to promoting Italian jewellery trade, ITA regularly organises missions for local industry operators to attend various trade shows in Italy such as OroArezzo in May and VicenzaOro in September and January to open new opportunities for Italian jewellers across the country.

Soon after the success in the Italy Pavilion in HKIJS in March, ITA took a step further to invite about 30 buyers and jewellery practitioners from Hong Kong and mainland China to participate in a mission to Naples - a major production area of Italian coral and cameo jewellery between 27 April and 1 May 2016 to visit industry operators at their workshops and factories to gain personal experience of how fine Italian jewellery is made and traded.

During the five-day programme participants visited Tarì Centre, an established local goldsmith centre and jewellery hub and joined the concurrent trade show—Mondo Prezioso to explore the fascinating world of Italian jewellery.

Visitors had the chance to meet representatives from 500 companies, including 400 permanent companies in Tarì Centre and 100 others. This exclusive international showcase attracted more than 25,000 industry professionals and offered unique business networking opportunities.

Aside from trade events, delegates also had meetings with coral producers, visited a coral art school and a coral museum in Torrel del Greco and participated in jewellery workshops. Together these activities greatly enhanced participants’ knowledge and impression of Italian craftsmanship and jewellery traditions, thereby promoting the image of Italian jewellery companies in the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese market.

Modern Italian jewellery

Today, there are four major production areas of Italian jewellery:

• Located In the north near Venice is Vicenza, where the international jewellery show VicenzaOro, dedicated to gold and silverware, gemmology and jewellery manufacturing machines and equipment, is held. The city also inaugurated its own Museo del Gioiello (Jewellery Museum) in 2015.

• Also in the north not far from Turin and Milan is Valenza, which is famous for handmade gem-set jewellery and boasts the highest number of artisan gold and jewellery businesses in the country.

• In central Italy to the southeast of Florence is Arezzo, one of the most important goldsmith centres in the world and arguably the most creative and innovative of the four Italian jewellery manufacturing centres where jewellery      for the masses melds with artistry and craftsmanship that are the hallmarks of Italian jewellery design. It also hosts the annual OroArezzo, an international jewellery show with a special focus in Italian goldsmithery.

• Last but not least is Naples in southern Italy, an art and culture capital since the 15th century that slowly evolves into a capital of goldsmith, coral and shell cameo jewellery today.

Modern Italian jewellery has transcended from luxury goods to an art form, thanks to designers and artisans who infuse the artistic significance into their crafts. With the aesthetic intensity, Italian jewellery is able to arouse different emotions in those who connect with it.

It is beyond comparison in design and quality, and breakthroughs in production skills and technology. International brands such as Buccellati, Roberto Coin and Damiani have become equivalent to the highest qualities and standards in the world of jewellery and the Italian origin in a piece of jewellery is widely understood to represent insurmountable skills and creativity.

HKIJS & HKIDGPS MARCH 2016 Italy Pavilion Exhibitors