CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionCollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo
The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Bea Bongiasca’s “Dory Tarallo” earrings reimagine the Royal Blue Tang fish in silver with hand-painted enamel detailing ($1,000). They are seen here in the designer’s “Under the Sea” immersive installation by Italian paper artist Mauro Seresini.
Milan—Bea Bongiasca has expanded her “Tarallo” collection with pieces certain to appeal to animal lovers.
Based on the curled shape of Italian taralli crackers, the limited-edition “Animali Tarallo” collection features hand-painted enamel animal portraits and interpretations of different species’ fur or scales on rings and earrings.
Animali Tarallo was created as a nod to Bongiasca’s lifelong admiration for the beauty of nature and its unmatched artistry, the brand said.
The rings represent the diversity of the animal kingdom, including mammals, amphibians, and mollusks, while the earrings show the kaleidoscopic beauty of creatures’ bold, colorful designs.
Instead of focusing on leopard or zebra print, Bongiasca reimagined the hues and patterns of tropical fish, nudibranchs, and tree frogs.
Based on the curled shape of Italian taralli crackers, the limited-edition “Animali Tarallo” collection features hand-painted enamel animal portraits and interpretations of different species’ fur or scales on rings and earrings.
Animali Tarallo was created as a nod to Bongiasca’s lifelong admiration for the beauty of nature and its unmatched artistry, the brand said.
The rings represent the diversity of the animal kingdom, including mammals, amphibians, and mollusks, while the earrings show the kaleidoscopic beauty of creatures’ bold, colorful designs.
Instead of focusing on leopard or zebra print, Bongiasca reimagined the hues and patterns of tropical fish, nudibranchs, and tree frogs.
Bea Bongiasca’s “Tree Frog Tarallo” ring with “ocean blue” enamel over .925 silver and a hand-painted enamel frog portrait is her favorite ring and the first piece she drew for this collection ($920).
The “Parrotfish Tarallo” earrings in silver with enamel detailing over “flamingo pink” enamel ($1,000)
The “Ladybug Tarallo” ring is 9-karat yellow gold with a hand-painted enamel ladybug accent ($2,750).
Custom pet portraits, like this “Tuxedo Cat Tarallo” ring, will be available beginning in September. Prices start from $920.
“It was very difficult to choose what to do as I had so many ideas, but in the end, I decided to work on animal prints for the earrings and more literal animals for the rings, as it is easier to read the animals on the rings than it is on earrings,” Bongiasca said.
“I have done a lot of research on tropical fish as I find that they have the most beautiful colors, so for the prints I concentrated mainly on that, as well as some more classic zebra as well. For the animals it does seem like an odd group, but they really worked well with the ‘Tarallo’ shape, and I loved the final effect and how they are similar but different.”
The first drop of the Animali Tarallo collection is set to debut with 11 styles on April 8, coordinating with Milan Design Week.
Stingrays, zebras, snakes, nautiluses, Tang fishes, elephants, horses, tree frogs, clownfishes, and parrotfishes all came to life through enamel paintings over either sterling silver or, for one style, 9-karat yellow gold.
The brand collaborated with an enamel artist to create these unique paintings that are layered on top of base colors.
“I had so much fun designing all of them. Usually when I draw a jewel, it takes a long time to get from the idea to the finished piece but with this collection, it was the opposite,” Bongiasca said. “The hardest part was limiting the amount of pieces I was designing.”
A second release of pieces in the Animali Tarallo collection is set for September.
The continuation of the collection will include darker colorways, additional animals, and more customization options.
As a tribute to Bongiasca’s favorite animal—the cat—she will launch a special feline lover’s capsule collection. Clients will be able to custom-order a hand-painted portrait of their cat on a Tarallo ring.
The collection retails from $900 and will be available on the Bea Bongiasca website, at the brand’s flagship boutique, and at select retailers worldwide.
Bongiasca has also already started taking custom orders for clients requesting pet portraits; “to my joy, especially cats,” she said.
To celebrate the launch of the Animali Tarallo collection, the brand collaborated with Italian paper artist Mauro Seresini on paper installations depicting the animals in their natural habitats.
Seresni’s immersive “Under the Sea” installation will debut with Bongiasca’s April trunk show at Dover Street Market in London.
Seen in one of Mauro Seresini’s paper scenes are the one-of-a-kind “Albino Burmese Python Tarallo” earrings, at top, and, at bottom, is the one-of-a-kind “Snake Tarallo” custom ring (prices starting at $1,000 and $920, respectively)
After a month, the trunk show will travel to the Dover Street Market locations in Singapore and the United States.
Recently, Bongiasca has been in the news for more than just her jewelry designs.
The New York Times featured her 800-square-foot Milan apartment in T, its style magazine.
Bongiasca gave the Times a tour of her home alongside her long-haired cat Fat Momo, describing the two-story loft as being designed “like a jewelry box.”
The interior is covered in acid green and hot pink, with a “conversation pit” (a sunken living room) filled with modular red cubes and lime green linoleum floor tiles in the kitchen.
Italian architect Massimiliano Locatelli, a longtime friend of Bongiasca’s mother, designed the living room.
Throughout her home there are objects and books that Bongiasca has collected when visiting Japan—Sailor Moon graphic novels, cat figurines including Hello Kitty and maneki neko, and a plush version of Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara’s scowling girls.
Italian architect Massimiliano Locatelli, a longtime friend of Bongiasca’s mother, designed the living room.
Throughout her home there are objects and books that Bongiasca has collected when visiting Japan—Sailor Moon graphic novels, cat figurines including Hello Kitty and maneki neko, and a plush version of Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara’s scowling girls.
More on Collections
The Latest
FinancialsApr 25, 2025
Kering’s Jewelry Brands Persevere as Q1 Sales Sink 14%Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.
EditorsApr 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Deborah Meyers Experience’s ‘The Birds’ EarringsDesigner Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.
SourcingApr 25, 2025
De Beers Sales, Production Fall in Q1 Amid UncertaintyThe company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.
Brought to you by
Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program Announces Second Cohort of Aspiring Jewelry Entrepreneurs Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. ExpansionSimon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99 A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessThe risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to NoncomplianceThe company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to NonprofitThe organization also announced its board of directors.
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So CharmingCharms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in ItalyLocated in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
Events & AwardsApr 23, 2025
PDPaola Creative Director Wins FGI’s ‘Rising Star’ AwardPaola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to AuctionA platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen BrownThe basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine JewelryThe Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry CollectionThe 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of MouthLilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth OfficerGCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow IndependentThe Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
An Exhibition Exploring the History of Cartier Is Now on Display“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsVan Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise StrategyIndustry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host ConventionThe two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated StoreThe jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
