In my previous exploration of gold jewelry markets, I examined how different cultures solve the fundamental economic challenge of trust and information asymmetry – whether through Florence’s hallmarking traditions, India’s trusted national brands, or America’s standardized quality tiers. But these trust mechanisms are only part of the story. Gold jewelry, beyond its aesthetic appeal and cultural…
Standing in The Gold Corner jewelry store on Piazza di Santa Croce in Florence this past November, examining an 18-karat gold ring, I found myself reflecting on how differently gold jewelry markets operate across the world. As an economist who has experienced gold markets in India, the United States, and now Italy, I realized that…
Experiencing first-hand how nostalgia transforms a utilitarian ‘people’s car’ into a premium tourism product in Florence’s competitive market. Last November, while exploring Florence, my husband and I decided to venture beyond the usual tourist trail of museums and churches. We opted for a self-drive vintage Fiat 500 tour through the Tuscan countryside. As we navigated…