Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
Events & AwardsSep 27, 2018
4 Vicenzaoro Trend Takeaways
A panel of industry experts at the jewelry trade show weighed in on what role trends should play in a retailer’s buy.
Jewelry industry experts led an insightful discussion on trends at the Vicenzaoro September show. From left to right: Lauren Kulchinsky Levison, vice president of retailer Mayfair Rocks; Jamie Freed, Farfetch’s global vice president, private clients; Paola De Luca, creative director and founder of Trendvision; Marco Carniello, Italian Exhibition Group’s jewelry and fashion division director; Alessia Crivelli, marketing manager at Crivelli Gioielli; and designer Alessio Boschi of AB Jewels.
Vicenza, Italy—At the September edition of Vicenzaoro, a panel of experts weighed in on what role trends should play in a retailer’s buy, and the answer was surprising.
Moderator Lauren Kulchinsky Levison, vice president of East Hampton, New York store Mayfair Rocks, led the discussion with Marco Carniello, Italian Exhibition Group’s jewelry and fashion division director; Paola De Luca, creative director and founder of forecasting company Trendvision; Jamie Freed, Farfetch’s global vice president, private clients; designer Alessio Boschi of AB Jewels; and Alessia Crivelli, marketing manager at Crivelli Gioielli, participating.
Here are four interesting points gleaned from the panel, which veered far and wide from the trend subject matter.
1. Omnichannel Has No Limits.
Freed, who joined the panel right after news broke of Farfetch’s initial public offering, in which the company was valued at $885 million, said that online shopping isn’t limited to low price points for fine jewelry.
Farfetch presents consumers with a uniform shopping platform that aggregates items from boutiques around the world, and the high-touch shopping experience has garnered consumer trust.
There are different levels of jewelry buys, with some consumers shopping in the $500 to $2,000 range and others in the up to $20,000 category. But, to Freed’s surprise, over the years another customer has emerged—one who is willing to spend upwards of $20,000 on fine jewelry online. The highest fine jewelry purchase at Farfetch to date is about $100,000, she shared.
Retailers should continue to invest their resources in omnichannel, to make the shopping experience the best it can be on every platform because customers are willing to evolve and meet them there.
2. Know Your Customer.
De Luca, who shares specific trend insights during her popular presentation each edition of Vicenzaoro, said that ultimately, knowing your customer is more important than following trends.
Don’t buy based on what’s hot now; buy based on what has historically proven to be a good investment in your store, the panel concluded.
For a store like Mayfair Rocks, that might be a one-of-a-kind elaborate pair of earrings by Lydia Courteille. For most stores in America, that will likely mean solitaire diamond stud earrings. Regardless, it’s important to buy based on the clients you’re already serving.
3. Everything Should Be Unique.
Rather than chasing trends, stores and brands should embrace their heritage and what makes them special, the panel said.
For designer Boschi, that means sticking to the innovation that drives him as
a designer. His work incorporates literal interpretations of Italian history—think a ring that’s a mini-sculpture of the Roman Colosseum—with elements of surprise, like movement and multifunctionality.
There’s nothing trendy about Boschi’s work, but judging by his buzzing booth in The Design Room section of the show, it resonates with a specific section of the market.
4. Find Your Own Way to Tell Stories.
Italian Exhibition Group’s Carniello said that more than just connecting retailers with brands, Vicenzaoro is designed to provide inspiration for stores to figure out how to provide a unique experience.
Consumers can find any information they want online, he elaborated, so they no longer have to consult a store for jewelry expertise. If they enjoy shopping somewhere, however, that will keep them coming back.
Stores should create their own trends and tell their own story so that they have value as a brand unto themselves.
“Every corner (of your store) should be an inspiration,” Carniello concluded.
There’s nothing trendy about Boschi’s work, but judging by his buzzing booth in The Design Room section of the show, it resonates with a specific section of the market.
4. Find Your Own Way to Tell Stories.
Italian Exhibition Group’s Carniello said that more than just connecting retailers with brands, Vicenzaoro is designed to provide inspiration for stores to figure out how to provide a unique experience.
Consumers can find any information they want online, he elaborated, so they no longer have to consult a store for jewelry expertise. If they enjoy shopping somewhere, however, that will keep them coming back.
Stores should create their own trends and tell their own story so that they have value as a brand unto themselves.
“Every corner (of your store) should be an inspiration,” Carniello concluded.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
