Mario Buccellati Diamond Earrings 18k Gold Vintage

About Buccellati Brand 

Mario Buccellati (1891-1965) established the first brand's store in Milan in 1919. Poet Gabriele D’Annunzio titled Buccellati “the Prince of Goldsmiths” because of jeweler's extraordinary talent of turning gold and silver into luxury art objects. Through the years this talent has been the core of the Buccellati's style. In 1966, Gianmaria Buccellati (1929-2015) with his brother, Luca, took over the family business after their father's death. Today the House is led by third- and fourth generation Buccellati, Honorary President and Creative Director Andrea Buccellati and his daughter, Lucrezia Buccellati Wildenstein.

Buccellati design is highly recognizable due to multiple engraving and piercing techniques applied to the pieces. Texture of gold recreating the look of Venetian lace, linen and tulle created by handmade Italian techniques inherited through generations.

The world of flora and fauna is a big source of inspiration for creating famous Buccellati brooches. Weightless Bucellati butterfly brooch, intricate flowers, or powerful birds — all those pieces are highly sought-after because of their creativity and impeccable quality. All the materials being used by the brand meet the quality standards of high-end jewelry making.

Buccellati cuff bracelets exemplify the brand's signature style. Many of those are made using the “rigato” technique. It requires cutting multiple parallel lines onto the metal surface allowing to create that unique engraved finish.

Find Buccellati estate jewelry online here or stop by our store to see our Buccellati selection in person.

About Italian jewelry

Italian jewelry history

Italian jewelry style is deeply rooted in the history of the region. The beginning of it can be marked as far as 700 BC. What we consider today as the Italian style was impacted by the ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan cultures.

Italian jewelry of all time is mostly made of yellow gold. This metal has been favored the most by Italian makers. In the Etruscan region goldsmiths developed such processes as alloying and engraving, also the granulation method got perfected and became a signature. In the later Middle Ages, the most sought-after jewelry pieces came from Vicenza and Florence. During the Renaissance era, the art of jewelry making was as much important as painting and architecture. Later, in the Baroque era, jewelry design shifted from bold and straight forward pieces to intricate and more detailed. Today Italian jewelry style and look depends on a certain maker. However, “made in Italy” jewelry always relates to luxurious lifestyle, timeless design and exquisite manufacturing.

Italian jewelry in the 1970s

The 1970s marked an era of unique and distinctive styles in the world of Italian jewelry. During this time, Italy played a leading t role in shaping jewelry trends. It was the era of bold designs, innovative materials, and a fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern influences.

Designers of the 1970s experimented with a wide range of materials, moving beyond the traditional use of gold and precious gemstones. They incorporated coral, turquoise, mother-of-pearl, resin, and even plastic. This creative use of diverse materials added a playful and unconventional element to the jewelry. The geometric and abstract design trends of the 1970s influenced Italian jewelry. It be in sync with the artistic movements of the era, jewelers integrated symmetrical patterns, angular shapes, and fluid lines. A fearless approach to design and a strong connection to the cultural movement continue to influence Italian jewelry design and fashion to this day.

Italian makers

So many great jewelry brands came from Italy, it's really challenging to mention just a few. Vhernier, Roberto Coin and of course Bulgari could be the first who come to mind when we think of the Italian makers. We also should mention Carlo Weingrill, a jewelry house from Verona. Their high-quality pieces have been sought after in the last few decades. The house has been family owned by four generations of jewelers. Passing family traditions of workmanship is another staple of Italian jewelry making. Italian cultural heritage, high-skilled makers and great quality materials keep going the never-ending popularity of Italian jewelry.