5 Unique Italian Jewelry Brands with Impeccable Craftsmanship

Italy is a mecca for art, fashion, and culture. Jewelry is no exception. A piece of Italian jewelry is more than simply an elegant accessory—it’s wearable art with a rich legacy. 

The tradition of jewelry making first emerged in Italy around 700 BC, gaining popularity during the Roman Empire and becoming refined during the Renaissance. 

Molded by a mix of cultural and artistic influences, the art of Italian jewelry evolved to become one of the most iconic in the world—distinguished by its masterful artisans and centuries-old traditions.  

The five brands we present below are prime examples of the Italian jewelry tradition, showcasing fine techniques and spectacular pieces shaped by the legendary nation. 

Sicis

Micromosaic

Origin: 2013

Based in: Milan

Highlight: Micromosaic creations

Milan jewelry brand Sicis has perfected its art of microscopic work to create a range of stunning pieces. Artists, glassblowers, and mosaic masters spend their days crafting micromosaics using an artistic method from eighteenth-century Rome. 

They make tiny handwoven Venetian enamel rods by melting enamel or glass paste with diamond dust. Afterwards, they split the rods into thousands of micro-tiles that artists then place by hand to create a three-dimensional motif. A technique known as malmischiati allows the mixing of various colors in the glass, resulting in a nearly infinite spectrum of brilliant shades within each mesmerizing piece.

Buccellati

Gold like silk and Lace

Origins: 1919

Based in: Milan

Highlight: Silk and lace-like gold 

Taking inspiration from the textile arts, Buccellati has perfected a goldsmithing technique that brings gold into the realm of silk and lace. 

The brand’s signature motif, Tulle, is a technological breakthrough—metal that conveys the airiness of dainty lace ribbons. 

Buccellati artisans achieve this by making countless microscopic wire-snipped holes in the bands of extremely fine gold, allowing light to stream in. The resulting knit-like stitch pattern is a nod to the Renaissance. 

Artisans also use ancient techniques, including engraving, chiseling, embossing, hammering, and enamel, to create pieces such as the delicate openwork Lace earrings or the unique satin-finish Silk cuffs.  

Cameo Italiano

Cameo carving

Origins: 1957

Based in: Torre del Greco

Highlight: Italian shell cameos

The story of Cameo Italiano began in 1957 when Michele de Luca set out to preserve the traditional cameo engraving techniques handed down for over two centuries in Torre del Greco, the only place in the world where shell cameos are engraved. 

Each cameo begins with the finest selected shells, upon which the master engraver traces the design and skillfully cuts it out. He then smoothes the edges for a perfectly finished silhouette. 

Due to their handcrafted nature, no two cameos are the same. Each one is a tiny masterpiece in its own right. 

Dreamboule

A World Within a World

Origins: 2018

Based in: Milan

Highlight: Liquid alchemy rings

Goldsmithing, watchmaking, and alchemy come together at Dreamboule, a company that transforms rings into magic through revolutionary experiments at its laboratory in the Brera district of Milan. 

A dome of sapphire glass tops each 18-karat gold ring, while the ‘magic solution’ fluid inside suspends an exquisitely formed scene composed of intricately cut precious materials—gold, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, mother of pearl, and black lava stone, among others. 

Artisans use over 18 procedures for every hand-assembled piece, a process requiring over 240 hours of work. 

Vhernier

Trasparenze

Origin: 1984

Based in: Valenza

Highlight: Innovative take on artisanal goldsmithing 

Vhernier follows the Italian artisan goldsmith tradition of combining age-old knowledge with innovative vision. 

Its team of carefully selected master craftsmen uses a rigorous process to engineer handcrafted pieces with incredible precision. 

A special gold melting technique creates a polished, mirror-like finish, while the Vhernier signature method superimposes pure rock crystal over opaque colored stones for a stunning chromatic effect.

Another trademark is the company’s Eyeliner pavé, an innovative technique in which artists set different-sized stones within smooth rhodium-plated gold with eye-catching results.