IN LIFE, EXCELLENCE IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT. At Piranesi, a world leader in the design and craftsmanship of fine jewelry, its founders
and their heirs have worked tirelessly to deliver such uncompromising excellence for over a century. Established in 1845 in Valenza, Italy, Piranesi has been providing its respected clientele with unparalleled service and jewelry for several generations. Leaders in the world of colored stones, the House of Piranesi also aim to create fashionable jewelry designed for living. Through its finely crafted collections, Piranesi pursues a dual goal - to create comfort coupled with the confidence that their discreetly elegant jewelry exemplifies. Its current collections reflect a most discreet and revered jewelry house as it prepares to continue its legacy into next century.


                 Piranesi began as a supplier of precious colored stones over a century ago. It quickly became the leading distributor throughout Western and Eastern Europe through its direct relationships
with mines worldwide in Colombia, Thailand, Burma, Ceylon and South Africa. During this period, Piranesi also designed magnificent jewelry for royalty the world over. The need to maintain the integrity of its design capabilities led Piranesi to establish its own prestigious jewelry line, launched in 1920. The firm's master Italian jewelers have consistently created classic and contemporary designs revered by connoisseurs internationally. At the end of the twentieth century, the House of Piranesi continues to uphold its historic traditions, rooted in a century long-gone, of craftsmanship, quality and style.


                 The House of Piranesi built its reputation over the years through an uncommon combination of perseverance coupled with obsessive attention to detail. This diligence, however, allowed Piranesi
to accomplish what many of today's more impersonal jewelers can never achieve, a truly personal relationship with clientele from around the world. Piranesi's unique intimacy with clients of various cultures contributes to innovative new design ideas and creations for their customers. Rare diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds are the magic ingredients of these prestigious collections that never go out of style. Furthermore, the combination of the
family's rich traditions interwoven with contemporary international styling creates a harmony between the past and present. This symmetry of innovation and tradition leaves its unique imprint on all of Piranesi's creations. Through years of diligent care in the making of fine jewelry, Piranesi has been able to maintain the highest standards for its most discerning clientele.


PIETRA DURA COLLECTION

                 For More than a year, Piranesi's designers sketched as many as 200 ideas were received before deciding which designs would comprise the spectacular collection named Pietra Dura. It is the result of the jeweler's search for a youthful, fashionable and elegant collection. Refined in diamonds and white gold, or dynamic in colorful precious stones on white or
yellow gold, the line is fashionable for contemporary lifestyles while drawing its mystique from the stones that have enchanted in other times. Whether it is the chalcedony made popular by the Duchess of Windsor or the sea-faring talisman aquamarine, behind every precious stone is a love story. Angel's skin, the palest of coral, is the enshrinement of royal passion. Its name first sprung from
the lips of Louis XV, who ordained the stone in honor of the beautiful skin of this mistress, Madame de Pompadour. Today, angel's skin of the finest quality is reborn in Piranesi's Pietra Dura collection. Set next to brilliant rubies on a parure with a flower pendant and matching earrings, the necklace reflects the fresh blush of spring.

                
Piranesi's experts traveled the ends of the world, from Japan to India, Madagascar, Zambia and Egypt for the finest quality crystal rock, jade, mother-of-pearl, turquoise, blue and green agate, as well
as angel's skin, chalcedony and aquamarine. Piranesi's designers artfully combine the stones to create a turquoise poodle with diamonds, flower of chalcedony and blue sapphires, or crystal and rubies for a fascinating summer piece.


COLLEZIONE SANGUE BLU

                 Jewelry throughout the ages represented an adornment symbolizing rank or wealth. In fact, jewelry, which predates clothing, has always been crafted by artisans of the era for those of royalty and
wealth. Ancient Egyptians used jewelry with colorful beads and emblematic motifs, such as the scarab. The Greeks enjoyed pure gold ornaments, while Roman jewelry was more massive as ropes of pearls were prized. Medieval jewelry included large brooches and heavy girdles. In the Renaissance, men and women wore gold chains, jeweled collars, and pendants, often designed or even rendered by noted artists. However, during the last century, with factory production and mass reproduction of designs possible, the craft of jewelry artisans has been harder to come by.

                 Piranesi.s new Sangue Blu, or "Blue Blood," collection, is a tribute to the craft practiced for centuries by unnamed artisans and to the royalty that honored the art of the jewelry. The collection
offers a wide variety of article differing in style as well as in the material chosen. The items are born from the hands of Italian master craftsmen, as if being recreated for the royalty of yesteryear, and the subtle elegance of the collection is readily appreciated. The jewelry whispers a firm affirmation of its wearer's refinement, perfectly balancing grace and substance. The Sangue Blu collection brings the sensation of softness to the hand and the lightness to the eye. These important pieces radiate the attention to detail brought to their design.


                 It may happen that from a single idea a whole series of designs are born. Later to be scrutinized
for the best fit to the initial concept. However, in the material realization of jewelry today - by machine, in assembly line - style - something is often lost. Unfortunately, the vision of the creation so easily perceived by the artist who imagined, studied and designed the jewelry can be lost due to mass production of jewelry. The Sangue Blu collection preserves the artistic soul of each piece; the original designer is involved with the entire fabrication process, ensuring that the original idea survives. This is how each piece speaks the same language so that of the artist who contributed to its creation. While the delicate work is apparent, the amount of time Piranesi's artists spend may not be. One may be surprised to learn that more than 150 hours of work are involved in the creation of unique items such as the ones shown on these pages. The time taken to create this piece was devoted not only to design but to the technical work of forging approximately 300 connections between each piece of metal, each of which must be neatly positioned and then hidden behind precious and royal gems. Piranesi's designers strive to design jewelry in much the same spirit of the master craftsmen of centuries before and, as such, Piranesi offers the Sangue Blu collection in honor of royalty and artisans of centuries past.