Photo courtesy of Chimento
Goldsmithing has been a time-honored tradition in Italy for ages, dating back to Etruscan times in 700 BCE. Through contact with Near Eastern and Egyptian traders, early craftsmen in central Italy were inspired to create necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and other detailed pieces with elaborate ornamentation. Sculpting, granulation, and filigree were all techniques that the Etruscans honed which are still important in jewelry making today.
The love of gold continued through the meteoric rise and fall of the Roman Empire, elevating it as a necessity of identity. Gold chains, signet rings, and mythological cameos became popular, as did stacking multiple pieces. The Renaissance pushed jewelry into the category of art, touting technical excellence and expanded creativity as artisans learned enameling, gemstone setting and more intricate chain making.
Bold statement jewelry continued in popularity through the Baroque period. In the 20th and 21st centuries, Italian elegance became synonymous with luxury, and master jewelers have only improved their designs through assistance from technology. Fashion houses became notable producers of fine jewelry, though local artisans continue to maintain workshops across Italy and teach new generations, too.
Photo source: Expedia
Enter Vicenza—the 18K gold capital of the country. A UNESCO World Heritage site once under Venetian rule, it was home to the Guild of Goldsmiths, established in the early 14th century. Although the ~150 member organization no longer exists, its heritage lives on through Vicenza’s Jewellery Museum and annual trade exhibition Vicenzoro. How does it have a connection to William Barthman Jeweler all the way across the Atlantic? Through our brands. Today, we’re focusing on Chimento.
Its original creative laboratory was founded by its namesake Adriano Chimento in 1964, and focused on product quality, craftsmanship, and construction to achieve long-term success. In the present, Adriano’s son Mario continues his legacy with a youthful, dynamic and modern system bolstered by strong relationships with collaborators and authorized dealers. No detail is overlooked in the creation process, and each collection is rooted in brand values.
The modern luxury customer requires more than aesthetic satisfaction from their jewelry, so the brand prioritizes creating a “sensory experience” for everyday pleasure. The Chimento family and their artisans designed the Armillas, X-Tend and Stretch collections with flexible links or shapes to move smoothly with the body, fitting comfortably without pinching so they can be worn from morning to night. Every surface is polished perfectly, captivating both wearer and passersby. Innovation is at the forefront of Chimento’s contemporary strategy, along with sustainability and integrity. You can feel good about purchasing Chimento products because they utilize environmentally responsible production processes, source their raw materials from conflict-free countries exclusively, and are fueled by the talent of qualified Italian craftsworkers rather than dubious labor practices. It is inherent to Chimento to make designs that will stand the test of time, both in style and in quality.
We’ve selected some of our favorite products ahead of the autumn season, and you can explore further in our Chimento product section: https://www.williambarthman.com/designers/chimento
We welcome you to come into our William Barthman Jeweler locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn to try on our beautiful Chimento pieces with our expert sales professionals. We hope to see you soon, and thank you for reading!