CrimeMay 02, 2024
4 Indicted in Burglary Ring Targeting Indian, South Asian FamiliesThe men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
TrendsMar 29, 2017
Jewelry Historian Details the First 50 Years of Picchiotti
Vivienne Becker has authored a book on the Italian jewelry brand in honor of its 50th anniversary.
The design of the ancient Roman amphitheater inspired Giuseppe Picchiotti when he was designing this round and baguette diamond ring featuring an unheated, untreated 8.05-carat Mozambican ruby center stone.
Basel, Switzerland--Jewelry company Giuseppe Picchiotti, started in the late 1960s, is marking its 50th anniversary this year with a retrospective of its most important pieces and a new book.
Jewelry historian and author Vivienne Becker penned “Picchiotti: The First Fifty Years” with Susan Jacques, president and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America, providing the forward.
On Saturday night in Basel, Picchiotti held a dinner and champagne toast for retailers and press to celebrate its milestone and the new 248-page book. 
Between the many courses, Becker, who also does the “How to Spend It” feature for The Financial Times, spoke about her experience in penning “The First Fifty Years” and in getting to know the family behind the jewelry brand that Giuseppe Picchiotti started in 1967.
Becker traveled to Valencia, Italy last May to meet the Picchiottis and research her book after being introduced to the brand by Joe Padulo.
“They plied me with a lot of good food and even better wine,” Becker joked about her trip to meet the Picchiotti family.
“I had a great time also looking through the design archives, which is something that I absolutely adore to do. I was able to trace the evolution of design since 1967 right through to today. It was really fascinating for me to chart that evolution and to see the innovation that Picchiotti was able to bring to our rather reserved industry in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.”
In honor of its anniversary, Picchiotti also created one new piece marking the year 2017--the L’Anifiteatro ruby ring, which Becker described as “magnificent”--and assembled a retrospective of four pieces of work from over the decades.
The retrospective includes the Colonna Romana ruby and diamond necklace (pictured above) from the 1980s.
The L’Anifiteatro, meanwhile, is set with baguette-cut and round diamonds and centered by an unheated, untreated 8.05-carat Mozambican ruby.
Architecture of Ancient Rome informed the design of both of these pieces.
The necklace was inspired by Roman columns while baguette diamonds of the L’Anifiteatro were set to resemble the stands of an ancient Roman amphitheater surrounding the stage, which is represented by the ruby.
More on Trends
The Latest
CollectionsMay 02, 2024
Foundrae Launches ‘Horizon’ Collection“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
FinancialsMay 02, 2024
Pandora Raises Guidance After Strong Q1The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
IndependentsMay 02, 2024
Oklahoma Jeweler Glenn Lewis Dies at 68The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Weekly QuizApr 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
AuctionsMay 02, 2024
Vintage Baume & Mercier With Ties to Elvis Sells for $7K Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
SurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in AprilConcerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
SourcingMay 01, 2024
Opsydia Names New Sales and Marketing Director Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
CrimeMay 01, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
CollectionsApr 30, 2024
12 Otherworldly Pieces From Tiffany & Co.’s 2024 Blue BookThe “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Zales Celebrates 100 Years With New CampaignThe brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Platinum Guild International Appoints New CEOTim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2024
Canadian Jewellers Association Brings Back the Summit It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Recorded WebinarsApr 29, 2024
Watch: Diamond Identification and Evaluation - How to Protect your BusinessSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingApr 29, 2024
De Beers to Move Auction HQ from Singapore to BotswanaSales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
CollectionsApr 29, 2024
Simone I. Smith Mixes Denim and Diamonds in New Collection“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFGifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
