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RAPAPORT...
The VicenzaOro Winter Show hosted jewelry manufacturers and buyers from 120 countries this week, but there were very few diamond exhibitors among the 1,500-strong list of participating brands. Italian jewelry makers reported the need to adapt to changing market conditions, in part due to emerging mass-market production centers in the Far East. Mixed economic conditions from major markets also seemed to weigh on participating buyers decisions to place orders at the show. Italian manufacturers are increasingly producing more affordable price points by using lower-quality diamonds and more silver and colored stones in their designs. Nonetheless, Italian jewelry makers remain confident that despite the weak economic environment for now, they will prevail in remaining the world's top manufacturing center for the highest-quality jewelry products.
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