What does gold signify? This year, it is love, passion, individuality and achievement.

Developed by the World Gold Council in partnership with the Vicenza Fair, Gold Expressions has brought together talented designers from across the Italian gold jewellery industry to create pieces that are not only stunning and innovative but which are also versatile, wearable and reasonably priced.

The magnificent assortment comprises over 400 pieces from 54 of Italy's top gold jewellery designers/manufacturers. The beautiful designs are available from major retailers from this year.

This first group from the Gold Expressions collection represents gold jewellery's ability to symbolize the depth of feeling in a close relationship expressed as love, affection or friendship.

Not surprisingly, the icon of the human heart appears in many of these collections in fresh new ways: encased in a delicate web of golden thread or made from solid ribbons etched with messages of affection.

The second series of the collection showcases the sensuality of gold and its ability to imbue a woman with an inner confidence and radiance - a "glow". Gold is the one metal that transcends fashion because of its many traditional associations with myths, legends, folklore and spirituality.

The warmth and enduring lustre of gold enhances a woman's unique sensual beauty and the rich, spiritual history of gold makes it meaningful on a deeper level.

The jewellery in this category is often inspired by nature with shapes and surface textures making use of various floral and stylistic motifs to convey sensuality.

The chains are adjustable for versatility of length and feature a mix of white and yellow gold tones in a weave of classic styles. The ethno-folk influences emerge in the fringes used on necklaces and in gold threads, which are innovatively transformed into fabric.

The third series addresses the ability of gold jewellery to reflect a woman's individuality. Gold's unique malleability makes for virtually unlimited possibilities in gold design. Fresh and creative gold jewellery designs allow women to define their individual sense of fashion.

The pieces cleverly employ fashion motifs using modern day pop graphics, integrating Eighteenth century Venetian lace patterns, and creating strong sculptural shapes. Even the simplest pieces are never banal. White gold and two-tone pieces in white and yellow are particularly popular in this young and dynamic category.

The final category focuses on gold as a symbol to celebrate both achievement and one's personal sense of progress, either a reward for an important accomplishment or a self-indulgent treat to validate the wearer's own feelings of self-worth.

The brilliant hues of yellow gold stand out in this category, which features voluptuous and opulent forms and silk finishes creating etched or webbed effects with minute engravings or incisions. Potent symbols, such as the snake and eagle, are used.

(Shanghai Star  June 22, 2004)