Pomellato La Gioia: A Love Letter to the Past

September 1, 2021

By Katerina Perez

6 min read

It was only in the summer of 2020 that the Italian jewellery brand Pomellato presented its first-ever high jewellery collection, more than half a century since the Milanese company was founded in 1967! Fortunately, the wait for a second collection was not a long one: La Gioia de Pomellato is already dazzling us with its stunning pieces.

Each of the designs included in La Gioia has already stood the test of time: the first part of the collection is inspired by the Maison’s very best archival pieces, reinterpreted and given a “second life”; the second offers a modern and extravagant take on Pomellato’s iconic chains and sautoirs. In this unprecedented dialogue between past, present and future, the Italian brand is reimagining the conventions of high jewellery with a focus on bold, dramatic designs.

La Gioia di Pomellato Lock Chain necklace with a fully functional padlock

La Gioia di Pomellato Lock Chain necklace with a fully functional padlock

 La Gioia di Pomellato Lock Chain necklace

La Gioia di Pomellato Lock Chain necklace

 Designing the details of the La Gioia di Pomellato Lock Chain necklace

Designing the details of the La Gioia di Pomellato Lock Chain necklace

 A closer look at the La Gioia di Pomellato Lock Chain necklace

A closer look at the La Gioia di Pomellato Lock Chain necklace

I am so proud of La Gioia! The idea to revive and incorporate iconic works from our past in La Gioia reflects Pomellato’s values and commitment to sustainability. There is continuity in this collection and a desire to introduce sustainable practices to the world of luxury goods, something which also revitalises us as craftsmen and designers. – Sabina Belli, CEO of Pomellato

La Gioia di Pomellato carved jade earrings

La Gioia di Pomellato carved jade earrings

The most colourful evolution of a familiar design is the Gourmette Assoluta necklace, presented in last year’s collection in three colour varieties. These are monochrome designs of colourless and cognac diamonds, as well as a colourful gradation of all the colours of the rainbow. New additions to the reincarnation of this necklace are five bright blue pear-shaped tanzanite cabochons weighing a total of 70 carats against a backdrop of cognac diamonds. Its evocation of a sun-drenched sky is obvious and inescapable!

La Gioia di Pomellato Gourmette Assoluta necklace with tanzanite cabochons

La Gioia di Pomellato Gourmette Assoluta necklace with tanzanite cabochons

 The La Gioia di Pomellato Gourmette Assoluta necklace combines large tanzanite cabochons with cognac diamonds in yellow gold

The La Gioia di Pomellato Gourmette Assoluta necklace combines large tanzanite cabochons with cognac diamonds in yellow gold

 The tanzanite cabochons in the La Gioia di Pomellato Gourmette Assoluta necklace have a combined weight of 70 carats

The tanzanite cabochons in the La Gioia di Pomellato Gourmette Assoluta necklace have a combined weight of 70 carats

For those clients of a bolder, more provocative temperament, Pomellato has redeveloped this design to create new daring variations that include impressive central stones: a spectacular red 76.66 carat rubellite, a mouth-watering 58.5 carat raspberry tourmaline and an impressive 48 carat tanzanite. One of these necklaces, the Rubellite Princess Chain Necklace, has already sparkled on the red carpet at Cannes. It was worn by Emma Thynn, the Marchioness of Bath, along with a red dress designed by Celia Kritharioti to the première of the film Aline, The Voice of Love.

La Gioia di Pomellato Princess Chain necklace with a 58.5 carat tourmaline and cognac diamonds in yellow gold

La Gioia di Pomellato Princess Chain necklace with a 58.5 carat tourmaline and cognac diamonds in yellow gold

Also included in La Gioia’s arsenal of chain-inspired earrings, bracelets and rings is now a one-of-a-kind brooch. Its three-dimensional links made of openwork gold, pavé diamonds and onyx were used to adorn another piece of jewellery that was never sold. Many brands do, from time to time, repurpose unclaimed jewellery, giving it a second chance to find an owner. Usually this remains a big secret from both the buyer and the general public, but Pomellato has chosen not to hide this fact. On the contrary, it is emphasised, demonstrating the company’s ethical stance on sustainability.

La Gioia di Pomellato Princess Chain necklace with a 48 carat tanzanite cabochon and diamonds in white gold

La Gioia di Pomellato Princess Chain necklace with a 48 carat tanzanite cabochon and diamonds in white gold

 La Gioia di Pomellato Pink Gourmette chain necklace

La Gioia di Pomellato Pink Gourmette chain necklace

 La Gioia di Pomellato Princess Chain necklace with a 76.66 carat rubellite and diamonds in rose gold

La Gioia di Pomellato Princess Chain necklace with a 76.66 carat rubellite and diamonds in rose gold

“Traveling and exploring different cultures has always been the primary source of inspiration for our jewellery,” states Vincenzo Castaldo, Creative Director of the brand. “At this unusual time for La Gioia, I made an introspective journey into the history and soul of Pomellato. It was a very personal journey into the world of our past’s treasures. This collection has been constructed in an exciting and spontaneous way. It was wonderful to find such a perfect interaction and natural harmony between the works of Pomellato’s past and its present.”

La Gioia di Pomellato brooch

La Gioia di Pomellato brooch

 La Gioia di Pomellato Chinese Shadow sautoir necklace with jet beads and brown diamond charms in rose gold

La Gioia di Pomellato Chinese Shadow sautoir necklace with jet beads and brown diamond charms in rose gold

 La Gioia di Pomellato cameo earrings with aquamarine drops

La Gioia di Pomellato cameo earrings with aquamarine drops

 La Gioia di Pomellato Lucky Stars Bavarole necklace with diamonds

La Gioia di Pomellato Lucky Stars Bavarole necklace with diamonds

 La Gioia di Pomellato red tourmaline earrings

La Gioia di Pomellato red tourmaline earrings

 La Gioia di Pomellato Haiku necklace with carved turquoise and jet

La Gioia di Pomellato Haiku necklace with carved turquoise and jet

 La Gioia di Pomellato Star earrings with moonstones, diamonds and baroque pearl drops

La Gioia di Pomellato Star earrings with moonstones, diamonds and baroque pearl drops

 La Gioia di Pomellato T-Bar bracelet with faceted jet

La Gioia di Pomellato T-Bar bracelet with faceted jet

 La Gioia di Pomellato Y-Chain necklace

La Gioia di Pomellato Y-Chain necklace

You will also notice a bold reincarnation of Pomellato’s iconic Nudo and Nudo Plastron necklaces, as well as a new interpretation of oriental motifs: carved jade earrings and a rosary-like sautoir. Could any of these designs be accused of being archaic? Definitely not! They are defined by freshness, daring and sophistication, all embodied in the best traditions of high jewellery art.

Feel the Force: Magnetic Attraction High Jewellery by Messika

continue reading

Eternal Gaze: The Enduring Allure of Lover’s Eye Jewellery

Few jewels are as intimate - or as misunderstood - as the tiny portrait miniatures known as Lover’s Eyes. Focused solely on the eye and set into lockets, brooches or rings, they have long been carried as tokens of love, loss or memory while concealing the full identity of the model.

by Joshua Hendren

Investment Jewellery: Which Gemstones & Brands Hold Their Value Best?

These are the treasures sought by investors, whose rarity, beauty and heritage mean they remain just as coveted decades, even centuries, later.

by Claire Roberts

Play of Colour: The Artistic Brilliance of Enamel Jewellery

With its vast palette of colours, no two pieces of enamel jewellery are ever the same, allowing jewellers to truly explore their creativity.

by Hirshi Sujanti

Hidden Wonders: Jewellery with Surprise Elements

Blending beauty with intrigue, a new wave of creations conceals miniature worlds, symbolic treasures and unexpected details beneath their polished exteriors.

by Joshua Hendren

Haute Couture 2025: Exploring Harmonious Balance with the Cartier En Équilibre High Jewellery Collection

Each of the En Équilibre hero creations is composed like a character in a story that we can easily follow. Let’s take a closer look… 

by Sarah Jordan

Haute Couture 2025: A Botanical Reawakening with the Chaumet Jewels by Nature Collection

From magnolia blooms to iris petals caught in the breeze, Chaumet’s Jewels by Nature is a high jewellery collection rooted in the way Empress Joséphine romanticised the natural world.

by Claire Roberts

Beauty of Beginnings: Exploring the Potential of Paper with Katerina Perez

If you are optimistic by nature, you may look at a blank sheet of paper and see limitless opportunities for creativity. This is exactly what my friend and visual artist Ksenia Usacheva and I wanted to reflect in the new ‘blank canvas’ inspired editorial project.

by Ksenia Usacheva

Setting Themselves Apart: 7 Designers Rethinking the Role of the Gemstone Setting

In jewellery making, the setting is often a silent partner—a technical necessity that secures the stones in place while receding into the background. But a new generation of designers is flipping that script, transforming the process of setting gems into an expressive, sculptural and narrative force.

by Claire Roberts

Haute Couture 2025: Stepping Inside ‘Caroline’s Universe’ with the Chopard Red Carpet Collection

Let's take a closer look at some of Caroline Scheufele's latest colourful adornments, including our 10 favourite pieces.

by Sarah Jordan

Beauty Shapes Tomorrow: Nouvel Héritage Unveils High Jewels for 10th Anniversary

For French brand Nouvel Héritage, the time has come to unveil its debut suite of five high jewellery creations, each one an ode to its iconic Mood and Latch collections, as well as the soon-to-be-launched Try Me line.

by Sarah Jordan

Incomparable Artistry: The Legendary Story of Beverly Hills Jewellery Designer Martin Katz 

This formidable Californian jeweller has spent decades sourcing the finest coloured gemstones, creating one-of-a-kind jewels, and dressing famous celebrities. Let me tell you more about an incomparable jewellery tour de force…

by Sarah Jordan

Prophecy and Poetry: The Story Behind My Bespoke Pendant by El’eeté Jewellery

Sometimes universal forces align to put the right person in your path at the perfect time. That was absolutely the case when one of my Instagram followers, Elvira Iurova, the Founder of El’eeté Jewellery, contacted me to introduce her unique bespoke jewellery concept.

by Katerina Perez

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Elevated Expression:Examining The Jade Dynasty Collection by Austy Lee

Let's hear what he has to say on China's most emblematic mineral…

by Sarah Jordan

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

In Conversation:Discussing Paraiba - The Legacy of a Color

with Vogue Singapore

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.