Editors

GiGi Ferranti’s New Collection Is Full of ‘Pasta’bilities

EditorsOct 08, 2020

GiGi Ferranti’s New Collection Is Full of ‘Pasta’bilities

Associate Editor Lenore Fedow and jewelry designer Gina Ferranti, two Brooklyn-bred Italian-Americans, talk family, pasta and jewelry.

Ferranti_header.jpg
The new “Portofino” collection by GiGi Ferranti Jewelry turns pasta from a pantry staple into a wardrobe staple.

I ended a phone call with designer Gina Ferranti, of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry, Tuesday night feeling as if I had just finished catching up with an old friend.

We’re only jewelry-world acquaintances, but our paths run parallel.

Ferranti and I are both Italian-American women from Brooklyn, and our shared background made our conversation about her latest collection easy.

I shy away from my Brooklyn accent, truth be told, but Ferranti’s voice is strong and confident, and I found the nerve to let my guard down and my vowels loose.

Ferranti’s Italian heritage is woven throughout all her work, but the new “Portofino” collection takes it to the next level.

“As a designer, my inspiration is always through architecture and geometry and where they kind of blend,” she said.

Her “Lucia” collection, for example, mirrors the stained-glass windows of storied Italian churches she’s seen in her travels through Positano, Capri and along the Amalfi Coast.

For this new collection, she expanded her horizons beyond one type of architecture to encompass an entire town.

Inspired by the Italian Riviera, her pieces are infused with the essence of the seaside town of Portofino, though handcrafted in New York.

“Instead of just picking an element of a motif, why don’t I pick a beautiful area of Italy that I can turn into more of an experience than an element?” she asked herself.

Though she hasn’t ventured to that part of Italy just yet, images of the candy-colored houses dotting the crystal blue coastline invoked a luxurious, elite feeling that resonated with her.


GiGi Ferranti’s three-stone ring, crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, features a grape garnet in the center with orange and pink sapphires on either side ($5,800).
The strong geometric lines of the mountings and the emerald- and princess-cut stones throughout her collection, as seen in the three-stone ring above, mimic the buildings along the coast.

In several of Ferranti’s Portofino pieces, the warm colors of the houses meet the cool colors of the shore, like in the hinged sapphire cuff bracelet seen below.

“I always pick Italian because it’s my background. It’s what I know,” she said.


The Portofino hinged cuff bracelet in 18-karat yellow gold with multicolored sapphires and tsavorite garnets ($10,500)

Brooklyn is a small world and for Brooklyn Italians, I’d say it’s even smaller.

Ferranti’s family comes from Naples, as does mine, as well as Sicily. She tells me her grandparents had a house just a few blocks away from mine.

I

messaged Ferranti on Instagram the other day when a familiar face from my high school homeroom, who turned out to be her niece, was modeling her jewelry.

“Family is always a source of inspiration for me,” she said. “When I first started designing, I named my first three collections after my nieces: Bianca, Gianna, and Sophia.

“I don’t have to tell you, we’re very close with our family. To sit at the dinner table and eat is the event of the day or the week.”

Pasta is already an Italian pantry staple but in the Portofino collection, Ferranti has transformed it into a wardrobe staple.

Inspiration struck when she was looking to put her own spin on the chunky links trend.

She was sketching out a bracelet, drawing straight, barrel-like links. She angled the ends to match the rest of her angular designs.

“As I was drawing it, I said this is penne pasta!”

And so, the penne pasta link was created.


The Portofino penne link bracelet in 18-karat yellow gold with six multicolored sapphires or tsavorite garnets on each link ($6,650)

“I said to myself, do I dare name it penne?,” Ferranti recalls. “And I said, I think it’s so cute and whimsical and it’s who I am so I’m going to name it the penne link!”

I wouldn’t believe you could make pasta look glamorous if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes.

It’s fun and charming without being kitschy. You can wear your penne pasta as a pendant, as a link bracelet or as a necklace.

“I’m in love with the penne necklace,” she said, when pressed to name a favorite piece.


The Portofino penne link necklace in 18-karat yellow gold with multicolored sapphires and tsavorite garnets ($15,500)

“I just think it’s really so sexy on. It falls right underneath the pit in your neck. Because the links are solid, it’s heavy and just feels really good on.”

Made of solid 18-karat yellow gold, each link is set with six multicolored sapphires or tsavorite garnets.

My favorite from the collection is the horn charm, an Italian take on the current evil eye charm trend.


The Portofino Horn charm is made in 18-karat yellow gold and set with multi-colored princess-cut sapphires ($6,200)

Ferranti reimagines the classic “Cornicello,” believed to protect the wearer from the evil eye, a notion taken quite seriously by many Italians, particularly in our shared ancestral home of Naples.

Typically made of red coral with a gold cap, Ferranti still has her grandfather’s horn that would hang on his car’s rearview mirror.

Her version is crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and set with orange, purple and pink princess-cut sapphires.

At 2.5 inches, it’s a statement piece with a price tag of $6,200.

However, she has a smaller version in the works, set with one princess-cut stone, that will be available at a lower price point.

The charm may be her bread-and-butter going forward, said Ferranti.

With trade shows on hold for the time being, Ferranti is showing off her new collection via Zoom and FaceTime, sending her pieces by mail, and using social media.

“I don’t know if it’s a sign of the times or retailers paying more attention to social media because they can’t go to the shows, but it’s definitely been the highlight. I’m very grateful for that.”

And with the money she saved by not going to the shows, she'll be moving into a new retailer in New York in the near future.

More details on that to follow soon!

For more on the “Portofino” collection, visit the GiGi Ferranti Jewelry website.
Lenore Fedowis the senior editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

The Latest

Sothebys The Desert Rose orangy pink diamond collectors week
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

Calvin Klein watch and jewelry campaign
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff Impact

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

Mark Davis Bullseye Necklace
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Image #1_Resized.png
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and Coaching

Sponsored by Clientbook

Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
GIA’s new report for lab-grown diamonds
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

Botswana President Duma Boko
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales Slump

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Afton Robertson-Kanne Borsheims
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry Buyer

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

Sissy’s Log Cabin Back to School and Bling
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis Students

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

11,685-carat Imboo emerald
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem Mine

Dubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.

Shopping cart
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income Worries

Plans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.

Mine + Found Play Collection Prize Bubble Locket, Whistle Pendent, Fortune Dice
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful

The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.

CCWW lifesaver necklace
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?

Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.

Nick Jonas x Fossil Campaign
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil Campaign

The Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.

Wally Hinkamp and Donna Hinkamp Warren
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 Years

The family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.

Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-Gifting

In his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.

London Jewelers Rolex East Hampton Boutique Exterior
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons Home

The new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.

Madison Keys
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US Open

The Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.

Marie Lichtenberg emerald and diamond locket on the 18-karat gold “Rosa” chain
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a Wrap

Wrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.

WatchTime New York
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary Edition

The three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations

Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.

Retrouvaí Diamond Vein Bond Collar
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ Collar

The one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.

Kendra Scott
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry Empire

Three C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 Stores

The retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.

Target CEO Brian Cornell and COO Michael Fiddelke
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag

Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.

Jewelers of America in Washington DC
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC

The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy