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
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
