Need jewelry inspiration? Look around you!

The Italian countryside of Umbria, where my parents live, is one of the wonderful (and still green) places where I get inspiration for my jewelry work. Each piece that I make is one-of-a-kind and tells a unique story. The ring and bracelet in this image are handcrafted in silver and finished with a patina made with household ingredients. This jewelry is available online in our limited-edition collection.

Costellazione ring and bracelet from the handmade limited edition of Maddalena Bearzi jewelry

Burn silver... and make unique jewelry!

When I work at my bench, I enjoy using different techniques to make nature-inspired jewelry pieces that are both distinctive and sustainable. I usually use reclaimed 925 or 999 silver and other recycled metals such as gold, copper, and bronze. Mixing metals is one of my favorite things to do! The ring in the image - called relitto rosa - has been crafted using reclaimed silver burned with a torch to create a unique effect. This organic-looking, one-of-a-kind, adjustable piece is inspired by a shipwreck on the bottom of the ocean. And if you like to buy it… just go online here!

this handmade ring / band makes a statement on any finger!

Do you see double?

Of course, you do! This is a two-finger ring and one of the many original pieces that have been added to the 2023-2024 Fall-Winter collection. It’s easy to wear, one of a kind, unisex, and totally ready to make a statement on your hand! It’s handcrafted in bronze but a silver version is coming soon. Its name is “ondoso” and its design takes inspiration from a large wave. The ring is available in our online shop and selected stores!

This handmade and one of a kind ring is crafted in bronze and takes inspiration by a large ocean wave

This jewelry is a reminder of humanity’s impact on nature

The theme of this new, handmade and unique “Incendio” collection reflects the severe and uncontrolled wildfires and their devastating impact on our ecosystem. This flame-inspired jewelry is a reminder of how climate change is fueling fires in the West and a reminder that we are destroying the only planet we have.

And there is more! Ten percent of sales from the “Incendio” jewelry will be donated to the California Wildfire Relief Fund.

Sharon wears “terra bruciata” cuff and “intreccio di rami” necklace from the “Incendio” jewelry collection, the one of a kind “serpe nera arrotolata” ring, and her own Lotte.99 shirt

Baking soda: the perfect jewelry cleaner

I care deeply about the environment, so when I started making metal jewelry I was careful to maintain ethical and environmentally-friendly practices.

Of course, using eco-friendly techniques for cleaning my pieces – and those of my friends and clients - became a natural choice and I learned different ways to polish and keep handmade jewelry beautiful and flawless without harming the environment.

For cleaning jewelry, baking soda is environmentally-friendly, low-cost and at the top of my list. One can do pretty much anything with it, including making jewelry look like new! This powder is slightly abrasive so it needs to be used with caution and only on the right jewelry. It works well with metals like silver and gold with a matte finish. Gently polish the piece rubbing it with a warm, damp cloth that has been sprinkled with baking soda; rinse well and dry the jewelry, et voila’…the tarnished piece will come back to life.

these handmade Maddalena Bearzi jewelry pieces with a matte finish can be easily cleaned with baking soda. Model and actress Frances Pearson wears ba-lena necklace in silver and gold, a pair of marea earrings in bronze and a relitto ring. The silk shirt is Lotte.99.

What's a patina finish on jewelry?

I get asked this question many times, so here is my response. Patina is basically a film that develops on the surface of metal over a certain period of time. Due to exposure to open air (and the natural process of oxidation), an aged metal like copper and silver tends to develop a “patina”. A natural patina can take from days to even years to occur but a jeweler can speed up the process by making (or buying) an “artificial” patina. One of the most commonly used patinas on the market for jewelry-making is the liver of sulfur.

This one of a kind and organic-looking silver ring from the “Costellazione” limited-edition collection has been created by the designer using two different kind of hand-made patinas. The final result is totally unique!

This “double-finger”, handcrafted ring makes a statement with its unique patina finish