Famed for its architecture, its Carnival celebrations, and the powerful Venetian republic that ruled its namesake city between the seventh and 18th centuries, the Italian region of Veneto boasts yet another distinction: Italy’s largest concentration of high-end gold jewelry manufacturers.

Owing to its location at the nexus of the region, the January VicenzaOro show, taking place Jan. 19–24 at the Vicenza fairgrounds, has earned a reputation as a hub for exceptional Italian design. And thanks to the growing number of international exhibitors who come to Vicenza to capitalize on the influx of design-centric buyers, it’s also become the place to get first dibs on jewelry’s most fashion-forward styles.

“Our international profile and quality content are the key points at next January’s edition,” says Corrado Facco, managing director of Fiera di Vicenza, the show organizer. “We’re providing a chance for companies and brands to come into contact with new and super-selected buyers in a context that is one-of-its-kind on the planet.”

In 2015, the organizers unveiled a format dubbed “The Boutique Show,” in which exhibitors are grouped into communities based on their products, positioning, and overall image. Featured areas include fashion jewelry, private-label jewelry, loose stones, technology, and global brands.

Last year, the show added a capsule space, the Design Room, to house “some of the most exclusive names in the business,” according to Facco.

In January, that list will include Fernando Jorge and Nikos Koulis, two of the industry’s buzziest designers. In addition, attendees can count on bedrock Italian brands—such as Antonini and Nanis—to showcase gold collections marked by a forward-thinking ethos. Veni, vidi, Vicenza!

Radiant ring in 18k yellow gold with 1.54 cts. t.w. diamonds; $9,210; Fernando Jorge; 
929-314-4570; fernandojorge.co.uk