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Vicenzaoro January 2026

Posted on: 03/19/2026
 

Author: Matěj Cinolter

At Antiques Cinolter, we have a deep passion for jewellery and the goldsmith’s craft, which is why we could not miss the 72nd edition of the Vicenzaoro fair. Held twice a year in the Veneto region of northern Italy, this is the largest European trade fair for professionals in the goldsmithing and jewellery industry. At the Fiera di Vicenza exhibition centre, you will find more than 1,300 exhibitors under one roof, representing every part of the supply chain – from precious metal processors and display accessory manufacturers, through suppliers of materials and gemstones, to dealers in luxury jewellery. The history of the fair dates back to 1954, when the first exhibition of local goldsmiths, focused on high-quality craftsmanship, was held in Vicenza. Over time, the event gained international importance and in the 1980s officially adopted its current name. Vicenza itself is a major centre of goldsmithing in Italy. This “golden city”, as it is often called, accounts for a significant share of the country’s gold and jewellery production. The tradition in this field dates back to the 15th century and the local goldsmith guilds, and jewellery companies remain highly concentrated in the area to this day.

In its modern form, the fair lasts five days, and exploring it in its entirety takes quite a considerable amount of time. The first hall is dedicated to exclusive branded jewellery, with exhibitors presenting themselves in a lavish manner supported by high-end marketing. In other sections intended for smaller jewellery firms, where the latest trends are on display, we unexpectedly came across our “neighbours” from Prague 1, the Bisaku jewellery shop, with whom we were pleased to exchange a few words. Separate halls are dedicated to exhibitors of goldsmithing materials and semi-finished products, tools, display accessories, and gemstones. Among these, what stayed in my memory most were the Paraiba tourmalines of stunning neon blue-green colour.

Naturally, what impressed us the most was the smaller in size but essential section of the exhibition called “VO Vintage”, which focuses on watches, antique and vintage jewellery. It was here that we could admire masterfully crafted pieces that are closest to our hearts. There are fewer dealers in this part of the fair, and they clearly focus on “high-end” items, particularly local Italian pieces – from Art Nouveau brooches and Art Deco rings, through gold amethyst sets and jewellery with Venetian micro-mosaics, to bracelets set with Burmese rubies. Particularly breathtaking was a multifunctional Art Deco diamond tiara-necklace.

When purchasing jewellery in this destination, I would like to point out that Italy does not have an official hallmarking authority, meaning that you must rely on the honesty of the goldsmith or dealer regarding metal fineness. It may happen that a gold piece sold as 18-carat (Au 750/1000) actually has a lower fineness, such as 14 carats (Au 585/1000) or even less. In such cases, despite its strictness, I am grateful for the Czech hallmarking system. You can read more about hallmarks in our previous article HERE. Overall, I rate our visit to the Vicenzaoro fair positively. Although we specialise in antique jewellery, which was only marginally represented here, the visit was still valuable for us – particularly for comparing how the world of jewellery has evolved over time, and how strongly antique jewellery continues to inspire and influence modern design.

Grazie Vicenza!