A good example of this tradition is Fortunato Pio Castellani, who opened his Italian jewelry workshop in Rome around 1814, first creating fashion jewelry from the popular designs. By the 1830s, he had become inspired by the Etruscan discoveries of ancient Italian jewelry. Castellani became the first 19th-century jeweler to create works closely modeled after classical Italian and Greek prototypes, thus creating a new fashion trend.

Castellani was inspired to pursue the ‘granulation’ technique, which was perfected by the Etruscans in the 9th to 4th centuries B.C. and made Italian jewelry of this period so unique. Castellani’s passion for excellence became close to an obsession and resulted in the revival of many ancient techniques which have become some of the greatest contributions to the history of Italian jewelry making.

Fortunato Pio was joined by his two sons, Alessandro and Augusto in the 1850’s, creating and marketing their Italian jewelry designs to local, international patrons, artists and educated tourists visiting Rome. By the 1860s, popular demand for their unique styles, prompted Alessandro Castellani to establish a workshop in Naples in addition to opening shops in London and Paris. The Italian jewelry of this family won widespread acclaim leading to international expositions in Florence, London, and Paris, ultimately becoming the design that every jeweler throughout Europe wanted to duplicate. The fame of Castellani’s designs reached America in 1876, at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and the next year the much-praised Italian jewelry collection was on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The granulation technique used in creating Italian jewelry by the Castellani family and others are just one of many that every aspiring jeweler must learn. The incorporation of fine detailing and meticulous finishing are the foundation for the luxurious effect that is difficult to find in any other jewelry.

Beside the impact of history and tradition, the reputation of Italian jewelry is supported by its quality standards for silver and gold, which are amongst the highest in the world. The silver grade of “925″ is not the only consideration taken into account. There is also an extreme amount of care given in the production of the alloy and through each step until the finished jewelry piece is completed. Whether the item is crafted by an individual jeweler or from a large jewelry company, silver Italian jewelry production is treated with passion and respect.

The variety of designs you can choose from in silver Italian jewelry covers every style; classical, modern or avant-garde. You can find replicas of designs from different periods in history, such as the Renaissance or you can have your own custom design brought to life.

Suneva works as part-time copywriter for SAK Jewelry that offers fine fashion jewelry from Italy featuring natural stones and Swarovski crystals.

Bookmark to:

Add the perfect touch to that new outfit of yours by accessorizing it with the right jewelry. From fine silver filigree earrings to heavy copper bracelets and pendants, from delicate crocheted bead necklaces to abstract designs fashioned from polymer clay, the right piece of costume jewelry can do a lot to set off a particular item of clothing.

When pairing a piece of jewelry with a wardrobe item, a number of details need to be considered. Color, size, proportion, and pattern are all important. A simple gold or silver pendant on a metal chain or a velvet cord almost requires a simple dark background in either solid or subtly patterned cloth. Copper bracelets and necklaces look great with warm turquoise blues or greens, while colorful polymer clay pieces can be coordinated with colors picked up from a multi-hued dress or separates.

When choosing earrings, consider the color of your hair. Long, dangly silver or gold earrings look great against dark brown, black, or red hair but not so great with light blonde, red, or white hair. Women with light-colored hair would do better with brightly colored earrings.

Match your jewelry to the occasion. The elegance of silver, gold, and precious stones like diamonds suit formal occasions perfectly; more casual occasions may call for more colorful choices, including enamel on metal, copper, wooden and clay beads, and modern designs fashioned from polymer clay. A collection of metal or plastic bracelets is great for a casual event, not so much for a formal occasion. If you’d like to wear a bracelet for an elegant affair, wear one, and make sure it’s gold or silver; or skip the bracelet altogether and wear a gold or silver watch - a few encrusted diamonds are okay.

Remember, when aiming for sophistication, less is more. Too many bracelets, gold chains, or rings worn at once are definitely not classy. Choose a single, simply elegant piece for that special occasion, and save the jewelry combos for fun nights out.

When buying jewelry, some women prefer to buy lots of colorful, inexpensive costume jewelry, while others prefer a few high quality pieces. Whatever your own personal style, a carefully chosen collection of jewelry can serve as the perfect touch to your equally carefully chosen wardrobe.

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for local and regional newspapers and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics. She expresses her opinions periodically on her blog, http://beyondagendas.blogspot.com She may be reached at amfredenburg@yahoo.com

Bookmark to:

The history of jewelry design in Italy is rich, diverse and passionate. Modern Italian designer jewelry draws from traditions in fine craftsmanship that dates back centuries. Almost every culture indulges in some form of body adornment, much of this is done in relation to a ceremonial purpose; religious affiliation, social status or family. This was no less true in Italy; however, there are some unique differences in the approach of the Italian designer to jewelry that is linked to the great role of Rome in world history. The campaigns that extended the power of the Roman empire to far corners of the world, resulted in different influences coming to bear on the Italian artistic design of jewelry.

In many of the works by classical Italian jewelry designers, you see traces of Egyptian, Greek and Asian culture. How the combination of these cultures impacted the development of designs, is easy to see from the discoveries of jewelry made during the ancient Etruscan period in southern Italy. From the 9th to 4th centuries B.C., these early Italian jewelry designers, whose gold jewelry designs have never been equaled in beauty, perfected the techniques that are still in use in making Italian designer jewelry today. A prime example of the value jewelers place on their craft is seen in the life of one of the best known 19th century Italian jewelry designers, Pio Fortuna Castellani, who studied and revived the Etruscan “granulation” technique for crafting gold jewelry. Castellani, among others throughout the history of Italian jewelry design, have infused passion into this craft of beauty, that in many regions of the country is almost an obsession. This is the main factor which has set their production apart from the rest of the world.

Gold has always been the most highly used metal in Italian designer jewelry; respecting the fact that the human body, mind and spirit has a strong, innate connection to gold, more than any other metal. Prized for its affinity to the color to the sun, our powerful lifegiver on earth, the attraction of gold is magnetic and was revered in ancient times. The demand for gold Italian designer jewelry of today has not lessened, but the wonderful Italian sterling silver jewelry cannot be ignored either. Now there are Italian jewelry designers that have chosen to work exclusively in the highest quality sterling silver, creating beautiful ornaments for every part of the body. The demand for Italian designer jewelry is the result of high production standards along with the originality, quality and diversity. The history of craftsmanship of Italian designer jewelry has always been highly valued, whether it was for gold, sterling silver or gemstone pieces.

Italian designer jewelry today continues to make fashion history with designs in bold and delicate gold, oversized and trendy sterling silver with diamonds or semi-precious gemstones. When you are ready to adorn your body with something beautiful, take advantage of the rich history of Italian designer jewelry to satisfy your every desire.

Suneva is a part-time copywriter for SAK Jewelry that features Italian high fashion sterling silver jewelry with color stones.

Bookmark to: