FINE FLORENTINE JEWELERY
since
1922
Three generation of master jewellery craftsmen in almost a century of activity. This is the calling card of Meli Gioielli, one of the few florentine jewellery companies that, from 1922 has known how to maintain and hand down over time all the secrets and passion for what has always been considered an art: Jewelery
Meli Gioielli has been reviving at the highest level the ancient noble traditions of Florentine goldsmith art. Accurate and thoroughly handmade manufacturing creates jewels of a perfect balance between stones and precious metals.
Meli Gioielli is the undisputed leader in the world for the goldsmith craft technique of the Etruscan madrevitato. (“threading”)
The woman who chooses jewellery from Meli Gioielli knows that she is not wearing a simple accessory, but a masterpiece, which brings out the most her personality. Every Meli piece of jewellery is numbered, made by hand, and accompanied by a guarantee, certifying the uniqueness and authenticity of the materials used.
The great craftsmanship and deep aesthetic sensibility of our masters goldsmiths, produce unique Jewels, addressed to a refined and choosy clientele.
Traforo, embossing and engraving
Completely handmade
These traditional techniques of working the gold sheets, used in every Florentine goldsmith’s workshop during the Renaissance, produced masterpieces of jewelry that have become famous all over the world
Such prestigious techniques are still carried out today, entirely by hand, by the goldsmiths of Casa Meli, and can be seen in their refined collections. So rare and difficult, almost of archaeological value after the strong diffusion of modern micro fusion techniques, these gold works produce jewelry of extraordinary beauty and perfection.
The Open-work on gold sheet is realized by Meli Gioielli with the a traditional tool, called “archetto”, which traces fresh patterns of leaves and flowers, creating an illusion of fullness or emptiness on the metal.
The Embossing of the gold, traditionally done on the reverse side of the sheet with the “stozzi”, gives volume and roundness to the shapes.
Finally, the Engraving process with the typical “bulino” tool, adds the final touch to the jewel: it emphasizes the contrast between the bright parts of the plate and the engraved ones.
Each piece of jewelry created using these techniques is often embellished with fine, carefully selected precious stones and possesses that unmistakable quality of uniqueness and timelessness, uninfluenced by the ever-changing world of fashion.
Madrevitato and Granulation techniques are old over 3.000 years and are still used in the Meli workshop in Florence for creating astonishing jewels in many geometric and traditional shapes. Meli Gioielli is the only brand in the world who still produces with these techniques and the final result are unbelievably modern and innovative jewels.
Madrevitato & Granulation
From the Etruscans to today
Madrevitato (nearest English translation “Threading”) is a difficult technique developed in the Ancient Etruria, a very big part of Central Italy, extended from Bologna (at North) to Lazio ( in the South), full of reach independent City States organised under a federation lately conquered by Romans.
The expert Etruscan goldsmiths created masterpieces of Jewellery all by hand, exactly as now make the artisans of Meli: thin gold wires were shaped to create elegant arabesques, embellished in some cases with tiny spheres. Unlike filigree, for which a continue wire is used, this technique consists in welding small segments together, piece by piece, forming scrolls of great delicacy. That is not all because Madrevitato is usually joined to the technique of “Granulation” which consists of welding very small spherical gold grains positioned within the design, to create fine decorative games.
