Ferrucci Modern Day

Emotion, vitality and an admiration for beauty are Italian jeweler Ferrucci's raison d’être. A family business at its core, Ferrucci is known for its impeccable fine jewelry collections and one-of-a-kind bespoke pieces. The family’s modern and Art Deco–style jewels reflect both their deep love for their mediums and mastery of the craft. 

Like many great things, the Ferrucci company started with a small dream. In 1985, spouses Nicola and Alessandra Ferrucci opened a small boutique in the tiny commune of Castel Bolognese. They founded the shop out of a desire to implement the best possible practices in their field. The couple’s son, Francesco Ferrucci, would become the driving force behind the company’s explosion onto the international jewelry-making scene.

Francesco inherited his parents’ love for the craft and went on to hone his skills in Vicenza. Here, in a place renowned for jewelry design, he studied wax sculpting, goldsmithing, metal casting and gem setting. Ferrucci went on to study under master jewelry makers throughout Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. 

Today, the family works together to continue to explore jewelry forms and the possibilities of using their craft for good. A portion of the money they make from their designs goes to nonprofit organizations, giving each piece a greater depth of meaning. 

The Ferrucci style features modern, artfully balanced lines that converge into surprising shapes, often inspired by nature. Throughout the design and production process, the Ferruccis aim to imbue their creations with emotion and energy. Every handmade pendant necklace, drop earring and bridal ring celebrates imperfections, embraces contrasts and layers multiple meanings.

On 1stDibs, discover Ferrucci’s inimitable rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and watches.

Whether you’re layering multiple jewelry pieces or opting for a single strand, vintage pendant necklaces are versatile accessories that can elevate your casual wear as easily as they can add a creative flourish to your formal attire.

The earliest jewelry was less about accessorizing than it was about wearers arming themselves with amulets. In Ancient Egypt, some amulets featured a loop so that they could be strung around one’s neck. While rubies have long been one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money, members of some ancient civilizations valued the stones from the get-go, donning ruby pendants as well as other stones with the belief that these adornments would bring protection, healing powers or strength. Today, we still wear our charm bracelets and charm pendants around our necks for good luck.

Later, pendant necklaces, like most fine jewelry, were worn strictly by royalty or the upper class and conferred wealth and prestige. This changed over time, thankfully, as wearing jewelry became more widespread, a democratized means of personal expression.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, pendant necklaces evolved from their status as spiritual amulets, but the jewels still carried deep personal significance. Victorian pendants, in particular, were part of the “mourning jewelry” tradition. Wearers would embed their pendants with locks of hair from a deceased loved one as a way of grieving in the wake of a loss. In the case of cameo jewelry, some pendants were even decorated with miniature hand-carved portraits in a detailed raised relief. Today, portraiture is still a characteristic of many of the hand-carved pendant necklaces offered by Italian jewelry house Scala Gioielli.

Luxury fine jewelry brands such as Cartier, BVLGARI and David Yurman offer their own unique interpretations of the cherished accessory, embellishing platinum or gold pendant necklaces with diamonds, sapphires and other stones.

On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage pendant necklaces and other necklaces today.