Damiani celebrates 100 years of crafting high jewellery

In 2024, Damiani paid tribute to its hundred-year history, a story of family, craftsmanship, creativity, and passion through a remarkable exhibition. The Maison chose to exhibit a precious collection of rare stones – natural works of art with an extraordinary history that majestically come to life through a skilful act of creation by the master goldsmiths of Valenza, custodians of the goldsmith’s art since 1924. The result is a collection of one hundred authentic jewellery masterpieces that encapsulate the continuity of a unique and unparalleled artisan skills

Damiani 100 X 100 Italiani
The exhibition Damiani 100 X 100 Italiani celebrated Damiani’s first century, a prestigious milestone for the historic Valenza-based company. 100 years for 100 masterpieces of goldsmith’s art that highlight Damiani’s Italian identity, the blend of creativity, manufacturing, thinking, art, good taste, and culture. The exhibition displayed 100 masterpieces, the ‘summa’ of 100 years of Damiani’s history portrayed through the five values of Italianness: Family – represented by the Damianis in the video recounting the history of three generations of jewellers and their dreams, love, and success; Mastery – showcased by the Mimosa collection; Creativity – expressed by the Margherita collection; History – illustrated by the Belle Époque collection; Passion – symbolised by the Fantasy Cut collection. Curated by Alba Cappellieri, Full Professor of Jewelry Design at the Politecnico di Milano, and organised in partnership with Intesa Sanpaolo, the exhibition was open to the public at Gallerie d’Italia, Milan, March 19-April 28, 2024.

Mimosa Eternal Blue
Encapsulated in the ‘apparent chaos’ of these refined Mimosa creations, an innovative technique harmoniously combines stones of different sizes and cuts, expressing the maison’s sublime genius. The Eternal Blue necklace is a majestic, 100-carat, cushion-cut sapphire that expresses Damiani’s craftsmanship excellence and historical tradition. A masterpiece of nature, it draws the eye with its magnetic royal blue hue, enhanced by the diamonds that encircle it in an embrace of light. A unique masterpiece whose strong, versatile personality allows it to be worn in a variety of ways: a sumptuous necklace; a more minimal pendant on a diamond-studded white gold chain; and finally, as a luxurious brooch. Both the necklace and the chain can also be worn individually.

Margherita Desert Garden
Conceived in the 1920s as a tribute to the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, by the founder Enrico Grassi Damiani, the Margherita collection is a sublime expression of the Maison’s creativity. The extraordinary and striking Margherita Desert Garden is a necklace that pays tribute to the beauty of nature and the enchanting colours of a desert sunrise. A precious composition in yellow gold sprinkled with leaves and entwined with flowers is adorned by an extraordinary drop-cut fancy diamond. This ultra-rare gem stands out for its exceptional deep brown-yellow hue and its impressive carat weight of over 20 carats. The necklace is skilfully embellished with brown diamonds and emeralds, creating a sumptuous carpet on which daisies made from white diamonds and a central fancy yellow diamond are gracefully laid.

Belle Époque Frame
This collection’s High Jewellery masterpieces are a priceless tribute to the art of cinema. The skilled goldsmiths of Valenza have created Belle Époque Frame, a white gold bracelet whose geometric perfection entwines with its extraordinarily impeccable aesthetics. The motif of the film reel is taken up in a sublimely precious and dynamic alternation of diamonds and fancy diamonds. Light reigns supreme in this work of High Jewellery art; the same light that brought cinema to life is here enhanced by a pavé of diamonds embellishing the seventeen square frames that make up the jewel. Each frame shares baguette-cut diamond with the one adjacent to it, while at the centre of each stands a fancy diamond in various cuts – brilliant, cushion, oval and heart – and in various hues. The shades of varying intensity range from yellow to orange and brown and are arranged in harmonious combinations for an alluring visual effect.

Fantasy Cut The Damiani Green Treasure of Muzo
The Fantasy Cut collection represents the Maison’s passion for its history. The striking and magnificent Fantasy Cut The Damiani Green Treasure of Muzo is an extraordinary jewellery piece that blends elegance with tradition. Enriched with emerald-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds, this luxurious white gold necklace features a pendant set. The majestic Muzo emerald of almost 64 carats whose intense green colour – a tribute to the lush rainforest – makes it truly extraordinary is a true wonder of nature. Symbolic of Colombia’s magnificence and hidden treasures, this ultra-rare gem embodies ancient stories of strength and power. There are various legends surrounding the origin of the Muzo emeralds. One of the most fascinating tells the tale of a broken promise of faithfulness between two immortal beings – Fura and Tena – and of tears of pain that turn into beautiful and eternal green stones. This unique jewel is also versatile; the pendant can be removed and worn in a variety of ways.