Supplier News: Week of March 3

By Brittany Siminitz | March 04, 2025

Gem Legacy Announces East African Educational Campus

Nonprofit organization Gem Legacy has broken ground on its campus in Tanzania that will include a gem faceting school and student dormitories.

Creation of the campus aligns with Gem Legacy’s mission to support vocational training, entrepreneurship, and community development in East African artisanal gem mining communities.

The new campus will increase the gem faceting school’s capacity from eight students to more than 20. With dormitories available, children of verified miners from anywhere in Tanzania will be able to attend the school or college.

Gem Legacy said it is expanding its college scholarship program from seven to over 30 students annually, to make higher education accessible to more young people from mining regions.

Vicenza Symposium Coming in September

The Italian Exhibition Group, organizers of the twice-yearly VicenzaOro trade show, will hold the first annual Vicenza Symposium for three days prior to the opening of the September show.

Taking place Sept. 2–4, 2025, at the Basilica Palladiana (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Vicenza Symposium has been designed to attract young talent, stimulate networking, and provide opportunities for professional development. It will be structured around two sectors, fine jewelry and fashion accessories made from non-precious metals.

Each day will feature seven educational sessions focused on advancements and innovations in the industry. An international expert will speak on the designated topic for approximately 45 minutes at each seminar, and there will be a daily Q&A session when attendees can interact with the speakers. A complete agenda for the Vicenza Symposium can be seen here.

“The Vicenza Symposium not only celebrates technological innovations but also serves as a key platform for dialogue among professionals, academics, and industry leaders,” Damiano Zito, president of the Vicenza Symposium’s scientific committee, said in a statement. “Our mission is clear: to foster continuous learning, encourage networking, and share advancements that can have a tangible impact on the industry at a global level, always keeping a close eye on the evolving needs of the sector.

“I am confident that over time the Vicenza Symposium will become an unmissable event for all professionals who aspire to shape the future of jewelry.”

For more information and to register for the symposium, visit thevicenzasymposium.com.

Top: A rendering of Gem Legacy’s Tanzania campus