Colorful Marco Bicego

BicegoEvery piece of this designer’s jewelry is hand finished, with up to 10 specialists working on a single piece

18k gold Murano necklace with mixed semi precious stones.

Marco Bicego’s lifelong passion for jewelry design has been nurtured over the years by various influences, from his childhood surroundings (his father was a master jeweler) to exotic travel destinations, such as Jaipur, India, (the “pink” city) which inspired the outstanding Jaipur collection.

18k hand engraved gold Siviglia Sapphire bracelet.

This year, Bicego renews the Africa collection, a tribute to the magnificent untamed nature of Africa, with Africa Pavé, marrying his signature 18k gold boule shape with paved white sapphires. The collection plays with the shapes, finishes and configurations of the ball shape, linking these 18k gold pebble-like balls together in anywhere up to five graduated strands. The earrings are especially spectacular, with sapphire-set boules dangling luxuriously on long chains. Every surface of gold on a Marco Bicego piece is hand finished.

New in the Jaipur collection this year are thinly cut, opaque colored sapphires, faceted on each side. The look is luxurious and understated at the same time, combining the brand’s rich Italian heritage of classic silhouettes with vivid sapphires, resulting in a unique collection of organic-inspired, wearable pieces. For the Jaipur Sunset collection, Marco Bicego developed his own faceted cut. All of the gems in this collection have been hand selected, including the pieces that are set with mother-of-pearl.

The vibrant, colors and patterns of Venetian glass are another inspiration, leading to the Murano collection of gemstone jewelry, a tribute to the glassmaking village of Murano, located off the shore of Venice. A fusion of vivid gemstones, including London blue topaz and amethyst together, comprise the palette. With no two cuts exactly the same, the 18k gold and gemstones blend together to create pieces evocative of the Venetian buildings, exuding character, charm and individuality while staying true to their Italian heritage. In this collection, Bicego uses rectangular shapes, in both the gold beads and gemstones, for the first time ever, to stunning effect. The “waterfall” style earrings in this collection are particularly luxurious, with long, cascading drops that graze the shoulder in shapes that resemble elongated sculptures.

Every designer has collections that represent a brand’s signature style – Marco Bicego introduces six to eight new collections each year – but the top designers also work like artists, creating one-of-a-kind pieces that explore the limits of their creativity and knowledge of goldsmithing. This year, the designer introduced several one-of-akind creations priced in the $20,000 - $30,000 category. The main characteristic of the collection of one-off pieces is a predilection for organic and harmonious forms and combinations of dramatic matte-colored sapphires, tourmaline and aquamarine. The earrings and rings in this limited edition collection are unrepeatable, inimitable and unconventional: highly exclusive masterpieces of craftsmanship.

Bicego’s designs are more than just aesthetically pleasing. The designer is also attentive to the ergonomics of design; he believes his jewelry must be wearable and comfortable. The bangles, for example, are flexible, which means they move with the wearer like a second skin during the course of the day’s activities. “Our jewelry is meant to be worn every day – not saved in the jewelry box for that “special occasion. I love seeing how my clients interpret the Marco Bicego style, and how they layer pieces.”

Gold earrings from the Murano collection by Marco Bicego.

18k hand engraved gold Siviglia Sapphire earrings.