The event, held at The Upper Crust in downtown Manhattan, was produced together with the VicenzaOro FIRST Fair trade show, the world's second-largest gold-mining company AngloGold Ashanti and gold jewelry supplier the Richline Group. New York--Select members of the wholesale jewelry and jewelry trade and press got a sneak peek of the shape of things to come in gold jewelry design on Wednesday night as the World Gold Council (WGC) hosted the New York City preview of "Gold Expressions: The Divine Style of Spain, 2010" collection. The program promotes the innovative design of Italian goldsmiths and the quality of "Made In Italy" manufacturing to stimulate demand for gold jewelry worldwide. Launched in 2004, Gold Expressions (GE) is two of the WGC's leading research-based promotion initiatives and aims to bring the best of Italian gold jewelry design to the global marketplace. While there were plenty of fashion factors in play--including a noticeable nod to the 1980s, with lots of huge hoops and link chains--the theme of the evening seemed to be generating lighter pieces that appeal to today's budget-conscious consumer. Wednesday night's event--the seventh of its kind--featured pieces from 33 leading Italian gold manufacturers. Commenting on the event in a news release, John Calnon, U.S. managing director of the WGC, said, "Despite the economic downturn, recent consumer research has confirmed that today's global consumer has a growing appreciation for the enduring inherent value of gold and continues to seek innovative and stunning gold jewelry design. The Gold Expressions collections merge Italian creativity and quality craftsmanship with the ongoing learning from WGC consumer research to ensure the commercial appeal of the new designs, while consistently maintaining relevance in style, as well as value." Those in attendance at the event duly noted this emphasis on creativity and style, with plenty of remarking on the wide range of appealing designs available. Notable trends, according to WGC spokeswoman Duvall O'Steen, included statement rings designed to be worn on the forefinger, fewer floral motifs and more geometric shapes, as well as a fascination with textures. This includes brushed looks and diamond cutting, which adds gemstone-like sparkle without significantly bumping up the price. The GE 2010 collection will launch globally in January at the VicenzaOro FIRST Fair. Following that, the collection will be visible at trade and consumer events in leading gold markets worldwide. The complete collection will return to the United States in early June in Las Vegas. "It's all about textures," O'Steen said. GE is represented in the U.S. market by Richline Group, which has acquired the exclusive distribution rights for the GE designs from a huge majority of GE participants. Richline's GE collection will be available in New York throughout 2010. (Article published at http://www.dushangjewelry.com/ )

1. 'Comments' look into the future of gold design
The event, held at The Upper Crust in downtown Manhattan, was produced together with
the VicenzaOro FIRST Fair trade show, the world's second-largest gold-mining company
AngloGold Ashanti and gold jewelry supplier the Richline Group.
New York--Select members of the wholesale jewelry and jewelry trade and press got a
sneak peek of the shape of things to come in gold jewelry design on Wednesday night as
the World Gold Council (WGC) hosted the New York City preview of "Gold Expressions:
The Divine Style of Spain, 2010" collection.
The program promotes the innovative design of Italian goldsmiths and the quality of
"Made In Italy" manufacturing to stimulate demand for gold jewelry worldwide.
Launched in 2004, Gold Expressions (GE) is two of the WGC's leading research-based
promotion initiatives and aims to bring the best of Italian gold jewelry design to the
global marketplace.
While there were plenty of fashion factors in play--including a noticeable nod to the
1980s, with lots of huge hoops and link chains--the theme of the evening seemed to be
generating lighter pieces that appeal to today's budget-conscious consumer.
Wednesday night's event--the seventh of its kind--featured pieces from 33 leading Italian
gold manufacturers.
Commenting on the event in a news release, John Calnon, U.S. managing director of the
WGC, said, "Despite the economic downturn, recent consumer research has confirmed
that today's global consumer has a growing appreciation for the enduring inherent value
of gold and continues to seek innovative and stunning gold jewelry design. The Gold
Expressions collections merge Italian creativity and quality craftsmanship with the
ongoing learning from WGC consumer research to ensure the commercial appeal of the
new designs, while consistently maintaining relevance in style, as well as value."
Those in attendance at the event duly noted this emphasis on creativity and style, with
plenty of remarking on the wide range of appealing designs available.
Notable trends, according to WGC spokeswoman Duvall O'Steen, included statement
rings designed to be worn on the forefinger, fewer floral motifs and more geometric
shapes, as well as a fascination with textures.
This includes brushed looks and diamond cutting, which adds gemstone-like sparkle
without significantly bumping up the price.
The GE 2010 collection will launch globally in January at the VicenzaOro FIRST Fair.

2. Following that, the collection will be visible at trade and consumer events in leading gold
markets worldwide. The complete collection will return to the United States in early June
in Las Vegas.
"It's all about textures," O'Steen said.
GE is represented in the U.S. market by Richline Group, which has acquired the exclusive
distribution rights for the GE designs from a huge majority of GE participants.
Richline's GE collection will be available in New York throughout 2010. (Article
published at http://www.dushangjewelry.com/ )