Vicenza, 22-11-04 – As the programme for Vicenzaoro1 2005 takes shape, gold jewelry export figures give rise to optimism, albeit moderate. ISTAT findings in August 2004 in fact show a three-month period (June-August 2004) of strong recovery: +59.7% compared to the corresponding period in 2003. The gap has thus narrowed with the record levels reached in 2000 (even if still huge at about 30%). Total data for the period January-August 2004 exceeds that corresponding to the previous year by 16.2%. This is a good sign of recovery but it must be remembered that the comparison is made with particularly negative data from 2003. Sales to the United States however are once again in the black (+2.1% compared to 2003). As far as the Vicenzaoro1 programme is concerned, from 16 to 23 January Vicenza Fair grounds will be hosting the already confirmed conferences by Martin Rapaport on the diamond market, by the Trends & Jewelry Forecasting on jewelry trends, by the Jewellery Technology Forum on technologies, by Federpietre on the new professions in the sector and by the Vicenza Chamber of Commerce on patents applied to gold jewelry products. Vicenzaoro1 will also see presentation of the 2005 edition of the Gold Expressions project, with Italian jewelry manufacturers once again in the leading role as trendsetters in the international jewelry sector, endeavouring to repeat last year’s great success. Gold Expressions 2005 sees collaboration continuing between the Fair and the World Gold Council – whose president, James Burton, will be inaugurating the event - which has managed over the years to provide useful information and renewed impetus to the whole gold jewelry sector, both Italian and foreign. Finally, mention must be made of the usual presence at Vicenzaoro1 of the Platinum Guild International with the presentation of new collections in this precious white metal.