Portojóia 2026: "Luxury Redefined" and the future of Portuguese jewelry

There are events that mark the calendar of any professional in the sector. And, for those who work in goldsmithing, jewellery, or watchmaking in Portugal, there is one name that stands out: Portojóia. The largest fair in the sector on national soil returns to Exponor, in Matosinhos, from 17 to 20 September 2026, for its 35th edition.

This year, the motto is ambitious: "Luxury Redefined". It is not just a pretty phrase to put on a poster. It is a statement of intent about what luxury means today – and where the Portuguese industry is heading.

If you are a professional in the sector, if you are thinking of starting out in jewellery, or if you are simply curious to understand what is happening in the world of jewellery in Portugal, this article is for you. We will go through everything you need to know about Portojóia 2026: the theme, the economic context, the exhibitors, the initiatives, the new talents, and, of course, why this event remains unmissable.

What is Portojóia (and why it matters)

For more than three decades, Portojóia has been the largest jewellery, goldsmithing, and watchmaking event in Portugal. Organised by Exponor – Feira Internacional do Porto, the fair brings together brands, designers, artisans, manufacturers, retailers, and national and international buyers in a space that functions as a strategic business platform and a link between the sector's main players.

For four days, Exponor transforms into a true ecosystem where tradition walks side by side with innovation. It is here that the trends that define the future of the sector are discovered, commercial contacts are established, and the techniques that make Portuguese goldsmithing a global reference are celebrated.

A sector with weight

To understand the scale of what is at stake, it is worth looking at the numbers. In 2025, the sector closed with a turnover of 1.3 billion euros and exports of around 400 million euros.

The Portuguese Assay Office reflected this dynamism: there was a 2.5% increase in the number of certified pieces, totalling 4.6 million hallmarked items. In terms of precious metal, this translates into 1.3 tonnes of gold and 9.9 tonnes of silver – an increase of around 18% and 11%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

These numbers are not just statistics. They are proof that, despite the challenges – such as the continuous rise in the price of noble metals – the Portuguese industry continues to assert itself, both in the domestic market and beyond borders.

"Luxury Redefined": the theme that defines the edition

The theme of Portojóia 2026 could not be more current: "Luxury Redefined".

What does this mean in practice? It means the fair will explore the evolution of contemporary luxury – one that is no longer defined by pure ostentation, but rather by values such as authenticity, exclusivity, and sustainability.

The three dimensions of new luxury

According to the organisation, the "thematic fabric" of the edition rests on three fundamental pillars:

1. Pieces with history, identity, and emotional connection – jewellery that tells a narrative, that has soul, that establishes a connection with the wearer.
2. Ethical materials and responsible manufacturing processes – a commitment to metals of certified origin, environmentally conscious practices, and the circular economy.
3. Conscious exclusivity – valuing rarity, but aligned with greater values. It is not just about being unique, but about being unique for a reason that matters.

As Diogo Barbosa, general director of Exponor, explained when commenting on the edition: "The fair will be a space to explore how jewellery can incorporate these values, presenting pieces that unite sophisticated design and social responsibility".

This approach is not just a marketing trend. It is a response to the expectations of an increasingly informed and demanding consumer, who wants to know where materials come from, how they were extracted, and what the environmental and social impact of what they buy is.

What you will find at the fair

Portojóia 2026 is not just a product exhibition. It is a complete programme of activities, designed for professionals and the general public alike.

Exhibitors and brands

The fair brings together the main names in the sector, including representative associations, established brands, and spaces dedicated to author design and new talents.

Among the entities present, the following stand out:

• AORP – Associação de Ourivesaria e Relojoaria de Portugal, the main representative body of the sector, which brings together prestigious brands.
• Contrastaria Portuguesa (Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda), guarantor of the authenticity of precious metals in the Portuguese market.
• APIO – Associação Portuguesa da Indústria da Ourivesaria, an institutional network that supports manufacturers and retailers.

Among the prominent brands and manufacturers, the organisation highlights:

• Barroso Pratas – decades of experience in gold and sterling silver jewellery.
• Adelino Teixeira da Rocha and Claudiouro – representatives of Portugal's industrial fabric and export capacity.
• Cristina Ferro Filigree – a brand that excels in the preservation and innovation of the traditional Portuguese filigree technique.

There is also space for the Espaço Collectiva, with an exclusive showcase of author jewellery signed by contemporary artists, and for Cindor Makers, where trainees from CINDOR – Centro de Formação Profissional da Indústria de Ourivesaria e Relojoaria – demonstrate their skills live.

Portojóia Talks: debates and reflection

The Portojóia Talks are one of the highlights of the fair. This year, the programme includes lectures and debates with experts on topics such as:

• Portugal's positioning in the luxury market – how the country can assert itself in a sector dominated by major international houses.
• Security in the sector – an always relevant topic for those dealing with high-value pieces.
• Sustainable jewellery – the integration of responsible practices in jewellery production.
• Filigree – the ancestral technique that remains one of the hallmarks of Portuguese goldsmithing.
• Internationalisation strategies – how Portuguese brands can conquer new markets.

Artificial Intelligence will also be one of the central themes, with CINDOR promoting a reflection on the opportunities of AI, the role of human creativity, and the skills needed by professionals of the future. The initiative also aims to encourage an ethical, critical, and responsible use of technology.

Workshops and live demonstrations

For those who like to see craftsmanship in action, the Oficina by Cindor will recreate the atmosphere of a goldsmithing class, with live demonstrations of the profession's techniques and processes. Visitors will be able to have direct contact with the tools, materials, and gestures that transform metal into art.

There are also sustainability workshops and the "Do velho se faz novo" ("From old, new is made") initiative, which will allow unused goldsmithing pieces to be transformed into new adornments. A practical way to celebrate the circular economy and the value of reuse.

Trends Exhibition

The fair also includes a Trends Exhibition, dedicated to the symbiosis between sustainable processes and identity-driven, contemporary design. This is where you can see, first-hand, what is being done most innovatively at the intersection of tradition and modernity.

New "By the Book" bookshop

Among the novelties of this edition is the "By the Book" bookshop, dedicated to jewellery and design. A space for those passionate about the sector to find specialised publications and deepen their knowledge.

New talents: the future of goldsmithing in the spotlight

Portojóia has always had a special concern for training and revealing new talents. This edition is no exception.

Best Of – Aluno Revelação

The "Best Of – Aluno Revelação" competition is an initiative aimed at students and trainees of art, design, and goldsmithing courses. The pieces submitted to the competition are evaluated, and the selected ones have the opportunity to be exhibited at the fair.

The three finalists of this edition are already known:

• Jacqueline Pompeu Abrunhosa – CINDOR
• Maria Elisabete Tavares – CINDOR
• Pamela Storrodumof – CINDOR

The winner will be revealed on the first day of the fair. The first-place winner receives a monetary prize of 500 euros and specialised training provided by CINDOR. Honourable mentions receive a 200g silver bar offered by Balantek (or the equivalent value of 200 euros).

APIO Goldsmithing Competition

APIO – Associação Portuguesa da Indústria de Ourivesaria is present at Portojóia 2026 with the pieces from the 18th edition of its Goldsmithing Competition, this year dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudí, the brilliant Catalan architect.

It is an opportunity to see how Portuguese goldsmiths interpret Gaudí's legacy – his organic forms, his vibrant colours, his love of detail.

How to visit Portojóia 2026

If you are interested in visiting the fair, here is the essential information.

Dates and times

• Dates: 17 to 20 September 2026
• Opening hours: From 10:00 to 20:00 on 17, 18, and 19 September; from 10:00 to 18:00 on 20 September

Location

• Venue: Exponor – Feira Internacional do Porto
• Address: Av. Dr. António Macedo, 4454-515 Leça da Palmeira, Matosinhos

Exponor is strategically located just 15 minutes from the city of Porto and 10 minutes from Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport, making access easy for both national and international visitors.

Access

Entry is free for sector professionals, upon invitation. The organisation has provided an exclusive invitation that can be accessed free of charge until the end of the fair.

Why Portojóia remains unmissable

Portojóia is not just a fair. It is a thermometer of the sector, a meeting point, and a window to the world.

According to data collected by Exponor, 58% of professionals who visit the fair are motivated by the search for market trends. 42% are looking for new products and/or services, and around 35% choose meeting new suppliers as one of the main drivers.

These numbers show that Portojóia fulfils an essential function: connecting people, ideas, and business. In a sector as specific as jewellery, where relationships of trust are fundamental, having a space where everyone meets is invaluable.

And, in a year when industrialists classified the context as "significantly challenging" – mainly due to the rise in the price of noble metals – the fair takes on an even more relevant role. It is here that strategies are discussed, concerns are shared, and achievements are celebrated.

What Portojóia 2026 tells us about the future

If there is one message that comes out clearly from this year's edition, it is this: luxury is changing.

It is no longer enough to have a beautiful piece of jewellery. It must have history, its materials must be ethical, its manufacture must be responsible, and its exclusivity must be conscious.

Portojóia 2026 is proof that the Portuguese industry is attentive to these changes. The brands present, the themes debated, the initiatives promoted – everything points to a sector that wants to be relevant in the present and sustainable in the future.

And that is, perhaps, the best news we can take from this fair.

And you, will you visit Portojóia 2026? Do you already know the fair, or will this be your first time?
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