September is famously trade-fair season, with VicenzaOro and Hong Kong's JGW, and this year, it came with something extra: the CIBJO Centenary Congress. Held from Friday to Monday alongside VicenzaOro (4–8 September) in Vicenza, the congress marked 100 years since CIBJO's founding in 1926. It brought together industry leaders from around the world for a program of panels, keynotes, and gala dinners.
Our CEO, Karen Rentmeesters, joined a panel on the impact of geopolitics on the jewelry and diamond industry. She made three key points: the global diamond industry needs to work together, not against each other, to tackle the challenges ahead; tariffs on diamonds would ultimately hurt the industry by pushing consumers away; and a diamond's journey is rarely linear, often passing through multiple countries and hands before it reaches the consumer.
Vicenza was a hotspot for jewelry and diamond professionals throughout the weekend, and Antwerp's diamantaires were proud to be part of it, exhibiting for five days and showcasing their finest natural diamonds and gemstones. After VicenzaOro, the spotlight moved to Hong Kong, where Antwerp was once again represented at the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion during JGW September.
When the show ended on Friday, the curtain also fell on the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion as we know it. The Pavilion will be fully rebranded in Hong Kong in March and at Basilia in April.
Interested in participating at Hong Kong? Find all information on our website: https://www.awdc.be/hong-kong-march-2027
Interested in participating at Basilia? Find all the information on our website: https://www.awdc.be/basilia-2027
