On November 6, the Italy Pavilion at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) officially opened with great fanfare.
This year, the pavilion is themed “Craftsmanship · Creativity · Innovation” and curated by Trendvision, the independent think tank of the Vicenzaoro jewelry exhibition in Italy. Creative direction was led by Paola De Luca, with the pavilion jointly presented by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai.
The pavilion’s design draws inspiration from Rome’s “Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana,” creating an elegant artistic space through mirrored arches and shifting light and shadow. Showcased within are works from 12 jewelry brands hailing from 8 Italian cities, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. These pieces highlight both refined techniques in goldsmithing and gemstone setting, as well as bold, avant-garde expressions of shape and color.
“Made in Italy” holds a leading position in the global high-end jewelry industry. In 2024, Italy’s jewelry exports reached €15.5 billion, marking a 41% year-on-year increase.
Luxe.CO visited the Italy Pavilion to explore these 12 featured jewelry brands.
Alessio Boschi — A Designer Jewelry Brand from Lazio
Founded in 2011 by jewelry designer Alessio Boschi, the brand reflects his lifelong passion for jewelry, which began in early childhood. He was born in Bagnoregio, a hill town in the province of Viterbo in the central Italian region of Lazio. At the age of five or six, he was already creating simple designs. In 1996, after earning a bachelor’s degree in jewelry design from the Academy of Costume and Fashion in Rome, he fully committed to the profession.
Before launching his brand, Alessio Boschi studied and worked in Greece, Milan, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Australia. He served for five years as Design Director at Autore Group, one of the world’s largest pearl companies and a luxury jewelry and pearl group based in Australia.
Boschi is known for his extensive use of colored gemstones and for creating complex, multi-layered, transformable designs that give each piece both sculptural dimension and emotional resonance.
In 2013, he opened a second company headquarters in Bangkok, citing the city as “the gemstone capital of the world and home to the finest artisans.”
Amedeo Scognamiglio — Reviving the Tradition of Shell Cameo Jewelry
Founded in 2006, the brand Amedeo was created by Amedeo Scognamiglio, a sixth-generation descendant of a renowned cameo-carving family from Torre del Greco in southern Italy. The family has been mastering this intricate craft since 1857.
Amedeo infuses the ancient art of bas-relief cameo carving with a contemporary spirit. The brand is known for its handcrafted shell cameos, which blend mythology, portraiture, and fashion elements to give the jewelry a unique artistic flair.
Amedeo has flagship stores on New York’s Upper East Side and on the island of Capri in southern Italy. His creations are also sold in some of the world’s top luxury retailers, including Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Dover Street Market, Harrods, and LuisaViaRoma, as well as on online platforms such as Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi.
Chantecler — From the Island of Capri
Chantecler was founded in 1947 by two friends, Pietro Capuano and Salvatore Aprea. Capuano, heir to a Neapolitan jewelry family, was known for his rebellious personality and nicknamed “Chantecler” (meaning “rooster”), which became the brand’s name.
The brand’s designs are known for their flowing lines, elegant forms, timeless richness, interplay between solid and void, and bold, playful shapes with a pleasing tactile quality. Together, these elements embody the joyful spirit of “La Dolce Vita.”
Today, Chantecler is run by Salvatore Aprea’s children. His son, Gabriele Aprea, serves as CEO, while his daughter, Maria Elena Aprea, is the Creative Director.
Crivelli — From Valenza, Italy’s Renowned Jewelry Hub
Crivelli was founded in the 1970s by Bruno Crivelli and is renowned for its intricate and masterful setting techniques. The brand excels at using architectural geometric lines and refined luster to reinterpret the beauty of order in jewelry.
Bruno Crivelli remains the brand’s Creative Director, while the role of CEO has been passed on to his daughter, Alessia Crivelli.
Valenza, located in the province of Alessandria in the Piedmont region of Italy, is one of Europe’s most important centers for jewelry and goldsmithing. Its jewelry industry began developing in the early 19th century, and today it is also home to Bvlgari’s major jewelry atelier.
Dada Arrigoni — From Bergamo in Northern Italy
Founded in 1985 by designer Dada Arrigoni, the brand approaches design from a female perspective, combining architectural aesthetics with modern jewelry to redefine “everyday luxury” through bold lines and vibrant color.
All Dada Arrigoni pieces are crafted by skilled Italian goldsmiths.
Fabio Salini — From Rome
Fabio Salini, the founder of his eponymous brand, is hailed as a trailblazer in Italian jewelry design and is considered one of the most significant figures in contemporary Italian high jewelry. He holds a degree in gemology from the University of Rome and spent years working in the creative and production departments at legendary houses such as Cartier and Bvlgari.
Salini is known for using unconventional materials like titanium and carbon fiber to push the boundaries of jewelry design. His pieces blend architectural logic with fluid lines, striking a balance between technology and nature, and presenting a bold yet restrained futuristic aesthetic.
His collections are showcased in top boutiques around the world and have attracted a global clientele, including Queen Rania of Jordan.
Giovanni Raspini — From Tuscany
Giovanni Raspini began as a silversmith workshop in 1972 and has since evolved into a modern, competitive brand with retail locations across Italy and Europe.
The brand specializes in handcrafted silver sculpture that captures the textures and emotions of nature. Its jewelry is like a poetic interplay of metal and light, incorporating motifs of flowers, leaves, animals, and mythology—expressing the most vibrant side of Italian art. Every piece is handmade by experienced artisans, preserving the authenticity of traditional silversmithing while embracing contemporary design.
In May this year, Giovanni Raspini announced its entry into the Chinese market with the launch of a flagship store on Tmall.
Le Sibille — From Rome
Le Sibille was founded in 1990 in Rome by three female artists: Camilla Bronzini, Francesca Neri Serneri, and Antonella Perugini. The brand is internationally recognized for its unique use of the “micromosaic” technique.
This art form, which dates back to ancient Roman decorative traditions, has been revitalized by the founders, who use micron-sized glass tesserae to create intricate patterns with astonishing color gradation and textural depth.
Luigina Rech — Master of Ancient Roman Micromosaic Art
Luigina Rech is one of the few remaining masters of ancient Roman micromosaic art—a technique once used to adorn the treasures of emperors and popes. Her work blends the historic technique with modern abstract aesthetics, using thousands of hand-cut glass pieces to create dreamlike visual landscapes.
Officine di Talenti Preziosi — Roman Jewelry Association
Officine di Talenti Preziosi (OTP) was founded in 2013 by jewelry designer and educator Marina Valli. Based in Rome, the organization is dedicated to promoting jewelry and fashion accessory culture through education, research, and collaboration with designers, artisans, and industry professionals.
OTP focuses not only on aesthetics but also on sustainability and cultural expression. It offers basic and advanced jewelry design courses, wax modeling, plastic processing techniques, CAD design, gemology, and jewelry history seminars, and advanced workshops for professionals.
Percossi Papi — From Rome
Since 1968, Percossi Papi has been internationally acclaimed for its use of granulation and enamel techniques. Founder Diego Percossi Papi brings an artist’s sensibility to his creations, skillfully combining semi-precious stones, pearls, and vibrant enamels to produce wearable works of art. His inspiration is rooted in the Renaissance and classical mythology, where metal and color weave together the essence of Italian romance.
Percossi Papi’s creations have appeared in numerous films, including Francesca e Nunziata, directed by Lina Wertmüller, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, starring Cate Blanchett.
Roberto Coin — Contemporary Fine Jewelry
Established in 1996, Roberto Coin is known for designs that merge architectural lines with soft contours, offering a blend of modernity and timeless elegance. Each piece features a signature ruby set on the inner side—where it touches the skin—symbolizing the founder’s heartfelt wishes to the wearer.
The brand is committed to sustainability, using ethically sourced materials from conflict-free regions and adhering to key principles of social and environmental responsibility.
At the opening ceremony, Francesco Pensabene, Chief Coordinator for China and Mongolia at the Italian Trade Agency, stated: “The Chinese market remains a vital part of the global strategy for Italian enterprises. We have brought the finest of ‘Made in Italy’ and hope to build deeper emotional connections with Chinese consumers.”
Massimo Ambrosetti, Italian Ambassador to China, reflected on the enduring relationship between the two nations: “From the days of Marco Polo to the present, dialogue between Italy and China in both trade and culture has never ceased. Today’s Italy Pavilion is a contemporary embodiment of that profound friendship.”
| Source: Official brand releases; Official WeChat account of the Italian Trade Agency Shanghai Office
| Image Credit: Brand official websites; Official WeChat account of the Italian Trade Agency Shanghai Office
| Editor: Maier
