Turning 40 in Italy – Jewelry Gift Ideas Needed

[viola09]

Hi everyone,

I'm turning 40 in a few weeks, and we’re heading to Italy to celebrate!

My husband wants to buy my gift while we’re there, and he asked me to put together a wish list so we can choose one thing from it. I need help building that list. Since we’ll be buying it in person and won’t have tons of time to browse, I figure sticking with branded pieces might be the easiest way to go. Ideally a ring or bracelet to stack with my Love.

Please share your favorite branded jewelry picks in the $10–15k range! I like pieces that are classic but a little on the "edgier" side, for example Juste un clou bracelet, but I find it too "common". Also open to non-branded suggestions if there are any must-visit shops in Milan.

For reference, here’s what I wear most of the time:
– Three-stone with 1.1 ct rb + baguettes (worn as a pinky ring)
– 2.50 ct transitional cut solitaire
– Pave eternity band
– Cartier Trinity ring
– Cartier Love bracelet
– Cartier necklace
– Diamond solitaire necklace

Thanks in advance—I’m excited and a little overwhelmed, so would love your help narrowing it down.

 

[scandi_queen]

Congrats on your birthday! I also celebrated my 40th in Italy and had a blast. My budget wasn't a healthy as yours, but I enjoyed shopping at Jean Saade in Florence. They have a lot of classic pieces and a few modern ones as well. If you see something on their website you want to see in person, get in touch with them so they can have it available when you're in town.

 

[empliau]

Congratulations on the birthday! Buccellati is definitely worth checking out in your price range. Their goldsmithing is spectacular, and it's Italian as all get-out.

 

[lala646]

I was recently reading through the Buccellati thread, and folks mentioned Massai Orafi, Annamaria Cammilli, and S Vaggi, all in Florence.

 

[purplesilk]

Hi!
Be aware that you can't have your money back, only change with something else, in Italian B&M stores.
I would stack a Cartier Love with a Love In Verona bangle or a Venetian Princess bangle by Roberto Coin

Bangles - Page 5

These bangles designed by Roberto Coin drip with masterful craftsmanship and a sophisticated playfulness: unexpected treasures for artful seekers. - Page 5

robertocoin.com

 

[purplesilk]

Buccellati Macri bangles

 

[empliau]

A picture of a Buccellati macri bangle (yellow gold, they also have pink and white)

 

[purplesilk]

Another popular choice is the Serpenti bracelet by Bulgari - not my style

 

[viola09]

Another popular choice is the Serpenti bracelet by Bulgari - not my style

I’ve looked into the serpenti, but
1. The brand premium is so high, there’s barely any gold in the bracelet
2. I’m not sure my husband would like the idea of a snake

 

[viola09]

I was recently reading through the Buccellati thread, and folks mentioned Massai Orafi, Annamaria Cammilli, and S Vaggi, all in Florence.

I will look in to those, I'm not sure exactly where we'll be (it's a suprise) except for that we're flying to Milan. So I'm hoping we'll be close to Florence, a lot of the good stuff seem to be there.

 

[viola09]

A picture of a Buccellati macri bangle (yellow gold, they also have pink and white)

I tried looking into the weight of the bracelets — my god. I'm obviously not here to bash any brand, but gah… they're so expensive. Still technically within budget, but I just feel like the premium is really high compared to similar non-branded jewelry.

And I know brands aren't really "worth it" — or only worth it if YOU find it worth it. But I guess that’s what I’m wrestling with now.

 

[empliau]

Well, of course. Most of my jewelry is not branded, and non-branded has pros and cons. You get more for your money in a sense. But my mother left me some jewelry - I hate to think how much she spent over her lifetime - and it's almost unsellable. A couple branded pieces (Tiffany, Winston) at a fraction of what she spent would sell for more.

I am longing for, but probably will not get for many years if ever, a Buccellati piece. Is it better made than the other Italian designers/artisans that have been suggested? I don't know. I do know that I love their aesthetic, their history. For me it is the pinnacle of a certain kind of design that looks back to Renaissance craftsmanship.

So if/when I get it, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. I'm good with that. As always, your mileage may vary.

P.S. I stopped in the Buccellati maison in New York to see if I really loved it as much as I thought They were utterly kind and welcoming. If you're even tempted, keep it on the list to stop in. I saw a bracelet of diamonds in New York that was like a river of light. Like nothing I'd ever imagined. It wasn't a temptation to me because I don't attend the Met Gala, where it would have been right at home, but I am still glad I saw it!

 

[empliau]

Reposting this video from Instagram about the making of the Opera Tulle:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[empliau]

And I didn't post rings:

 

[Roselina]

This won’t help, but when in Italy I‘d buy high quality leather bags of unknown brands but of highest quality. That makes me super happy!

 

[viola09]

And I didn't post rings:

This one is also so pretty...

 

[purplesilk]

@viola09 : you're probably going to Venice,
so worth taking a visit to:
- Eleuteri Venezia (IG eleuteri_venice)
- Roberto Coin in piazza San Marco
- there's also a Cartier store, a Bulgari store;
- there used to be also a Tiffany store but I don't know if it's still open: till February/March 2025 many luxury brands were on the same building "Fondaco dei Tedeschi", but it was due to stop all activities.
Check the opening hours.

 

[empliau]

I was hard put to limit myself to only two! That one you posted is gorgeous.

 

[viola09]

I was hard put to limit myself to only two! That one you posted is gorgeous.

I specifically love the second one in your post - the two tone...

 

[empliau]

A different dramatic two-tone - this is the Eternelle Ramage style

 

[purplesilk]

@viola09 : you're also probably going to Rome: in Rome you can find Cartier, Bulgari, Tiffany and other luxury brands.
In the center of Rome there's a second hand shop that sells luxury jewels at half of the retail price:
Orofirst shop (IG orofirst_shop)
Right now they have a classic Cartier Trinity bangle : 15k Euros for 85 grams of 18kt gold

Bracciale trinity Cartier tre ori spessore 7.10mm ricondizionato a 15,500.00€

Acquista in tutta sicurezza Bracciale trinity Cartier tre ori spessore 7.10mm a solo 15,500.00€. Gioielli e orologi garantiti con spedizione gratuita!

www.orofirstshop.it

 

[purplesilk]

@viola09 : I don't know your ring size, but if it's close to 5.5 , consider this Bulgari band (sold by orofirst_shop in Rome).
I tried this Bulgari band at Bulgari's in Venice and I fell in love: bold, modern but classic at the same time, perfect on its own but wow when stacked with my Cartier Trinity ring...the only problem was the retail price at 7.5 k Euros.
I'm suggesting buying from orofirst because I bought from them and it was a pleasant experience; I also suggested the shops in Venice where I had positive experiences.

https://www.orofirstshop.it/fede-bulgari-bzero1-in-oro-bianco-e-diamanti-045ct-tot/