Lucia Silvestri Archives

The jewels of the Magnifica collection by Bulgari

Published on June 8, 2021

Collana in oro rosa con diamanti, smeraldi, rubini, zaffiri. Courtesy Bulgari

A social event after so many months of health restrictions could not go unnoticed: the launch of the Magnifica collection by Bulgari at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan was celebrated, told, photographed. But what does the Bulgari Magnifica collection consist of? The name of the collection does not betray expectations: 350 pieces of high jewelery composed of about sixty models, each with a value of many zeros. It is, in fact, that high jewelery, pieces destined for a lucky few, to show off on equally fortunate occasions.

Unique pieces composed of gems selected by Lucia Silvestri and composed in necklaces that are part of a world of their own: some pieces were made with 2,500 hours of work. For example, the necklace with diamonds and a spinel from Tajikistan weighing 131.21 carats, the fourth largest in the world. It is impossible to find something similar and whoever buys or receives a similar jewel as a gift will have the certainty of uniqueness. Although, then, the jewel will probably spend more time in a large safe.

Choker in oro rosa con diamanti, acquamarina, rubellite, ametista, peridoto, citrino, onice. Courtesy Bulgari

With the launch of Magnifica, Bulgari focuses heavily on post-covid euphoria, which has made the desire for luxury re-emerge. Another necklace, with the shape of the snake that accompanies the Maison, features a 93-carat Colombian cabochon emerald. The style of the jewels is what characterizes Bulgari: large gems, many gems, especially gems. Color, gold, diamonds, wealth. But also the style and pride of the Italian Maison that is part of the French Empire LVMH. Finally, the collection, which is aimed at an international audience, also contains references to the world of art and culture, from the Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi to the contemporary artist Tamara de Lempicka, from the Chinese writer Eileen Chang to the archistar Zaha Hadid. Some of the jewels are inspired by them, works of exceptional goldsmith virtuosity.

Collana con diamanti e zaffiri. Courtesy Bulgari

Collana con diamanti e spinelli. Courtesy Bulgari

Girocollo con smeraldi e diamanti, indossato. Courtesy Bulgari

collana con smeraldi e diamanti — Collana con diamanti e smeraldi. Courtesy Bulgari

High jewelery by Bulgari in the Barocko of Rome

Published on July 10, 2020

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Collana Chiaroscuro in oro bianco, con 1 rubellite rettangolare (8,65 ct), 1 tormalina verde rettangolare (12,18 ct), 1 ametista rettangolare (9,81 ct), 1 citrino rettangolare (9,25 ct), 1 quarzo giallo verdastro rettangolare (7,60 ct ), 1 acquamarina rettangolare (9,94 ct), 1 tanzanite rettangolare (14,17 ct), 87 diamanti a taglio brillante rotondo e pavé di diamanti (44,72 ct)

High jewelery, Bulgari, Rome. Three words that summarize an entire world. But also a style. The Italian capital, for example, is also famous for its Baroque monuments. It is no coincidence, therefore, that the Roman Maison, which is part of the Lvmh group, chose Barocko as its name for its new collection of high jewelery, consisting of 50 pieces. However, these are not jewels that simply copy the curls of Bernini’s churches.

On the contrary, these are many unique pieces composed with a triumph of precious stones and, above all, with a free interpretation of the source of inspiration, that is, baroque architecture. An example: the Lady Arabesque necklace in 18-carat pink gold, composed of a pear-shaped 3.42 carat purple sapphire, a pear-shaped purplish pink sapphire of 3.55 carats, two cushion-shaped purple sapphires of 3.72 carats, 14 sapphires ovals and pink and purple cushion (28.64 carats), 11 fancy paraiba tourmalines (16.35 carats), 15 round emeralds (3.38 carats), five pear cut diamonds (3.70 carats), 157 fancy diamonds ( 8.71 carat) and a pavé of diamonds (16.94 carat).

Wealth, imagination, inspiration: but in the personal setting of Lucia Silvestri, the creative director of the Maison. As is evident from the example described, these are unique pieces that required a difficult selection of gems and an equally patient craftsmanship. Another aspect that is immediately evident concerns, in fact, the choice of stones, which is not limited to the traditional four, that is, white diamonds, emeralds, blue sapphires and rubies. Both the colors and the cut of the gems follow the Baroque flair of the deviation from the norm. As in the case of the platinum Raggio di Luce ring, with a heptagonal cut diamond (it has seven sides) fancy vivid yellow-orange of 5.02 carats.

Anello Raggio di Luce,in platino, con 1 diamante ettagonale (Fancy Vivid Yellow-Orange 5,02 ct), diamanti con pavé di colori fantasia (Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid Yellow 0,92 ct) e 38 diamanti con taglio a gradini (2,28 ct)

Collana Lady Rubellite in oro rosa con 97 perle coltivate bianche Akoya, 1 rubellite di pera (60,79 ct), 15 perle di ametista (99,56 ct), 31 perle di rubellite con taglio cabochon (49,26 ct), 20 diamanti fantasia con taglio a gradino (0,62 ct) e diamanti incastonati (10,83 ct). Foto: Antonio Barrella, Galleria Studio Orizzonte

Collana della collezione Bulgari Barocko in oro bianco con elementi di zircone, 1 smeraldo pera (22,36 ct), 1 diamante a taglio brillante rotondo (1,55 ct), 15 smeraldi pera (26,05 ct) e diamanti incastonati (11 , 64 ct. Foto: Antonio Barrella, Galleria Studio Orizzonte

Collana cabochon esuberanza di Bulgari. — Collana con zaffiri, rubellite e acquamarina cabochon. Foto: Antonio Barrella, Galleria Studio Orizzonte

Collana Ali di Roma, ispirata alla statua dell'Arcangelo Michele di Castel Sant'Angelo, in platino con 1 diamante pera (11,65 ct), 4 diamanti marquise (1,00 ct - 1,06 ct - E IF 1,00 ct - 1,00 ct), 1 diamante pera (1, 07 ct), 1 diamante a taglio brillante rotondo (3,01 ct), 25 diamanti a taglio marquise, 1 diamante a taglio brillante rotondo (17,33 ct) e pavé di diamanti — Collana Ali di Roma, ispirata alla statua dell’Arcangelo Michele di Castel Sant’Angelo, in platino con 1 diamante pera (11,65 ct), 4 diamanti marquise (1,00 ct – 1,06 ct – E IF 1,00 ct – 1,00 ct), 1 diamante pera (1, 07 ct), 1 diamante a taglio brillante rotondo (3,01 ct), 25 diamanti a taglio marquise, 1 diamante a taglio brillante rotondo (17,33 ct) e pavé di diamanti. Foto: Antonio Barrella, Galleria Studio Orizzonte

Bulgari Wild Pop

Published on June 30, 2018

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Happy Leaves in oro bianco con 14,63 carati di diamanti e 5,60 carati di smeraldi

The new Bulgari high jewelery collection is called Wild Pop and is inspired by the eighties ♦ ︎

Revival is not new in fashion. Indeed, all the epochs, sooner or later, rediscover how beautiful it was 20 or 30 years ago, how good it was and what a wonderful style it was in vogue. Know that it will also happen the nex thirty years, when your nephews will find adorable what today seems to be tacky to you. This is how the world goes.
After the boom of the art deco, for example, today likes the day before yesterday, ie the seventies and eighties. Of course, the reasons to remember or imagine the liveliness of those years is not lacking: the TV series like Dinasty and Miami Vice, the stars of the era, such as Madonna and David Bowie, but also Andy Warhol. That Bulgari, however, designed a necklace of high jewelry with the shape of the leaves of marijuana it was difficult to imagine. On the other hand, the new high jewelery collection will scandalize those who consider cannabis leaves a sin and a danger. Perhaps it is precisely what the Italian brand wants, which is part of the LVMH group. Although, probably, the intention of Bulgari is not to encourage those who buy their jewelry to smoke, perhaps to forget the price.
In any case, the new Bulgari high jewelery collection is called Wild Pop and comes from an idea of the creative director of the Roman Maison, Lucia Silvestri, after visiting the Andy Warhol Foundation for the visual arts in NY. There, among the papers of the artist symbol of Pop Art, he discovered the catalogs of Bulgari of the eighties. A wedding invitation, which also explains the transgressive side of the collection, which is not by chance called Wild Pop.

“It’s not just the themes of the collection that are wild, like the delicate parure of marijuana entitled Happy Leaves in white gold with 14.63 carats of diamonds and 5.60 carats of emeralds, inspired by the film Desperately Seeking Susan, where Madonna shares a joint with a friend “, explained Lucia Silvestri. “Its kaleidoscopic colors and maxi dimensions are also wild. Wild Pop is a tribute to an era marked by the desire to have everything and at the same time celebrates the bond between Bulgari and Warhol “.
While the list of sources of inspiration, from Ronald Reagan to Jane Fonda, from disco music to the return of the tubogas, can continue for a long time, the description of the jewels is more interesting. The Queen of Pop necklace reinterprets in platinum a typical form of the Eighties, with a central 24.80 carat sapphire surrounded by baguettes, tourmalines and sapphires. Supreme Diamond Light evokes the Manhattan skyline by combining onyx and diamonds. The Magnificent Green Ruffles necklace with a 34.12 carat emerald is inspired by Alexis Carrington, iconic character from the Dinasty TV series. Flamingos is a necklace in rose gold, onyx and diamonds. Palms is in yellow gold, agate, carnelian and diamonds that draw tropical palms tribute to the Miami Vice TV series. The Synthesizer jewels are inspired by Madonna and David Bowie. Perhaps today’s jewels are better than the style of those years. Giulia Netrese

Bracciale con diamanti e smeraldi della collezione Wild Pop di Biulgari

Bracciale in oro rosa, diamanti, spinelli, turchesi

Orecchini in oro rosa, diamanti, turchese, rubini

Collana Queen of Pop in platino, zaffiro centrale da 24,80 carati contornato da baguette, tormaline e zaffiri

Bracciale The Wall, ispirato al muro di Berlino. Mattoncini di pietre e diamanti e la scritta Freedom

Collana Butterflies, oro rosa, diamanti, pietre di colore come ametista, peridoto, spinello

Who really is Lucia Silvestri (Bulgari)

Published on January 20, 2017

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Who is Lucia Silvestri really, Jewelery Creation & Gems Buying Excutive Director of Bulgari and winner of the Design Awards Gem and winner of the Design Awards Gem.

An Italian in the Olympus of jewelry: Lucia Silvestri, Creation & Gems Buying Excutive Director of Bulgari, years ago she received the coveted recognition at the Gem Design Awards in New York by the Association that brings together the jewelers of the United States. What is so special about Lucia Silvestri? An extraordinary eye. In fact, she for years has chosen precious stones for Bulgari’s most exclusive collections. And to say that her is a story that began by chance in Rome, when she was studying biology at Sapienza University. She joined Bulgari for a trivial maternity replacement, and then ended up, again by chance, working in the office that deals with selecting the precious stones. She has learned the secrets of emeralds and tourmalines, diamonds and sapphires, peridots and rubies.

Lucia Silvestri (immagine da Instagram) — Lucia Silvestri (Instagram)

After almost 40 years, her career has not yet ended. As if to say that there is no need to start with a course at the Gia when the experience is formed in the field. Of course, you also need to have natural skills and a good eye. And a lot of patience: it can take up to a year for a stone to be used on a piece of fine jewelry. In fact, it is necessary to identify all the stones to match on the same jewel before starting the processing: choosing the right colors and shapes can be as difficult as winning the lottery. After so many years, however, Lucia Silvestri has the satisfaction of being able to follow the entire path, since she has become Jewelery Creation & Gems Buying Excutive Director of the brand.

It would be wrong, however, to attribute it only to an obsessive search for and choice of wonderful stones. Although it is an activity that absorbs her a lot, Lucia Silvestri also cultivates other passions: in addition to that for Rome and the Mediterranean sea, that for animals, human rights and poverty alleviation. In addition, you support an organization like Save the children.

Bulgari, collana della collezione Giardini Italiani — Bulgari, necklace from the Giardini Italiani collection

Collana della collezione Giardini Italiani — Necklace with emeralds and sapphires from the Giardini Italiani collection

Bulgari, collezione Giardini Italiani — Bulgari, Giardini Italiani collection, necklace with amethysts and rubellites

Collier con foglioline Capriccio a Portofino — Necklace with Capriccio leaves in Portofino

Collier della collezione Diva di Bulgari — Necklace from the Bulgari Diva collection