Fiera di Vicenza, which organizes international jewelry trade show VicenzaOro — its September edition closing in Vicenza, Italy, on Wednesday — has signed a partnership agreement with the World Diamond Mark. This is a nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses to promote the image and health of the global diamond business.
The goal of the agreement is to collaborate on projects and initiatives aimed especially at increasing customers’ confidence in diamonds and jewelry pieces decorated with diamonds. This is a crucial goal for a business that has been affected by several problems, in particular the illicit trade in “blood diamonds” that have caused wars and human rights abuses for decades across Africa and South America.
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“Our sector needs to take strong measures to have the sale of diamonds and jewelry pieces with diamonds back on the list of the most successful products in the luxury goods’ consumer market,” said Fiera Di Vicenza managing director Corrado Facco. “It’s also necessary to pay more and more attention to the themes of transparency and ethic by promoting Corporate Social Responsibility politics aimed at increasing customers’ trust in the jewelry and diamonds compartment.”
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“Our collaboration with Fiera di Vicenza focuses on two main goals,” said World Diamond Mark president Alex Popov. “Fiera di Vicenza is the most important jewelry trade show organizer in Europe, so it represents an important and excellent platform for the World Diamond Mark. We need to increase the awareness not only of our organization but also of our goals and targets — they include making our market able to attract more people and developing customers’ trust in diamonds and those selling them; increase diamond market business and help those working with diamonds grow their revenues.”
Separately, on Saturday evening, to coincide with the opening of VicenzaOro, a jury of experts bestowed the Andrea Palladio International Jewelry Awards to a range of jewelry brands and designers. Milan-based Giampiero Bodino scooped the prize for the best Italian jewelry designer; British Shaun Leane was named best international jewelry designer, while Vhernier received the award for the best Italian jewelry brand.
In addition, VicenzaOro also announced the winners of the Next Generation Jewelry Talent Contest — this year focused on the theme of world peace — organized in collaboration with the Design School of Milan’s Politecnico University. Noemi Maria Antonia Cantarero won the first prize presenting a precious button which can also be worn as a brooch.