COVER FEATURE - Calgaro : Creating emotional jewelry

June 2008


Award winning jewelry from a youthful brand that evokes memories of the past while underlining its charismatic contemporary appeal.

From its very beginnings, the brand developed exciting design concepts using technological innovations that caused a stir amongst the traditionalists and immediately caught the imagination of jewelry aficionados around the world.

Giuseppe Calgaro came into the partnership with his life-long experience, dedication and know-how of the goldsmith’s art, while Monica Fin brought her expertise from the textile industry. This highly unusual partnership created a unique style of jewelry that sought to express itself emotionally via its intriguing motifs and contemporary appeal. The joint venture became the now renowned Calgaro brand.

Research, innovation and beauty became the signature of Calgaro. Intrinsic values combined with a desire to “accomplish the impossible”, such as transforming gold and silver into fine colorful braids and dazzling virtuoso fabrics. The use of innovative materials gave birth to highly imaginative designs and set the stage for the creation of revolutionary concepts about wearing and possessing jewelry, many of which are protected by technology and design patents. Within a couple of years Calgaro had already been awarded international design awards - such as the Gold Virtuosi Award for Design & Bulgari Award of Excellence, followed soon after with the gold category Couture Award in Design.

Business strategies

Since its registration as a trademark on the Italian market in 2000, the Calgaro company has firmly pursued clear brand-building commercial and distribution policies, characterized by a very selective retail approach, that quickly saw the company’s creative products in the showcases of leading jewelry stores in Italy.

Its establishment on the home market was followed by the setting up of a branch office in the United States of America and the signing of prestigious commercial agreements with leading tradepartners in Europe, Japan, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Additionally, Calgaro’s exquisite collections of gold and silver jewelry are to be found in leading retailers in Japan, Hong Kong, the USA, Poland, Indonesia, Mexico and many more independent jewelry stores throughout Spain, Portugal, France, the UK, Switzerland, Germany and the Benelux countries.

To ensure its continued program of international development, Calgaro exhibits in the leading trade shows in Basel, Vicenza and the Couture Jewelly Collection & Conference in Las Vegas. Last year, Calgaro became an official partner of Mariella Burani Fashion Group (MBFG). As a vital part of this strategic enterprise, Calgaro is an integral part of a business milieu where solid expertise in prêt-a-porter management and large scale production, distribution and communication decision-making greatly contributes to the further consolidation of the brand’s awareness on both the home and international markets. As a part of this strategy, the first Calgaro concept store was opened in Milan’s via Montenapoleone in May 2008.

The Collections

The Calgaro jewelry collections are highly innovative and designed to be worn and enhance the wearer. For example, the Bohème Collection offers silver jewelry that is both romantic and easy to wear; the Luna Collection leans toward the dramatic shades and mysteries of nature; the Perfect Collection is a tribute to Japanese aesthetics and the Soleil Collection plays on circular constellations associated with the sun.

Calgaro, Fusion Dèco Collection

The Fusion Dèco Collection is a hybrid style that can only be described as “floating between modern Déco and old Byzantine.” The jewelry is in well-defined shapes characterized by voluminous chain-falls and logo studded clasps. Classical domed elements are set with old-style geometric-cut semi-precious stones such as green malachite and brown and red tiger’s eye, dramatically mingling with stylish meandering chains.

Calgaro, Belle Epoque Collection

Calgaro’s Belle Epoque Collection stems from nature and art nouveau forms. Stylized laurel leaves combine with multi-faced quartz crystals and fauna features to offer exquisitely elegant shapes and decorative features that summon up images of ancient history whilst maintaining an innovative modern, feminine charisma.