FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 PercentMajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in Italy
Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.
PHOTO Last week, Bulgari inaugurated the opening of the addition to its jewelry manufacturing facility in Valenza, Italy. The facility is now more than 350,000 square feet and is the biggest jewelry factory in the world dedicated to manufacturing for one brand. (Photo courtesy of Bulgari)
PHOTO An aerial view of the expanded facility. The white building in the front is the Cascina dell’Orefice, or “golden farmhouse,” a historic building Bulgari restored that is said to have been the home of the region’s first goldsmith. (Photo credit: Matteo Carassale)
PHOTO Manifattura Bulgari employed fewer than 400 people when it opened in 2017, but the company said it plans to grow the workforce to more than 1,600 in the next four years. (Photo courtesy of Bulgari)
Valenza, Italy—Bulgari has expanded the size of its jewelry factory in Italy to more than 350,000 square feet, with the aim of doubling production by 2029 and employing over 1,600 people.
The LVMH-owned brand inaugurated the expansion of the factory in Valenza, Italy—a hub for goldsmiths—with a ceremony last week that included a panel discussion and a guided tour of the facility led by Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin and other top executives from LVMH and Bulgari.
It is now the largest single-brand jewelry manufacturing facility in the world, according to Bulgari.
“Today marks a historic milestone not only for Bulgari, but also for the territory of Valenza and the global jewelry industry,” Babin said at the factory’s opening ceremony on April 16. “The expansion of our [facility] is far more than a doubling in size and production capacity—it is the realization of a bold, contemporary vision for what the luxury industry must become in the future.
“This project is designed to integrate new crafts from the jewelry world … while enhancing education and training, fostering workplace well-being, and protecting the environment.”
Related stories will be right here …
The LVMH-owned brand inaugurated the expansion of the factory in Valenza, Italy—a hub for goldsmiths—with a ceremony last week that included a panel discussion and a guided tour of the facility led by Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin and other top executives from LVMH and Bulgari.
It is now the largest single-brand jewelry manufacturing facility in the world, according to Bulgari.
“Today marks a historic milestone not only for Bulgari, but also for the territory of Valenza and the global jewelry industry,” Babin said at the factory’s opening ceremony on April 16. “The expansion of our [facility] is far more than a doubling in size and production capacity—it is the realization of a bold, contemporary vision for what the luxury industry must become in the future.
“This project is designed to integrate new crafts from the jewelry world … while enhancing education and training, fostering workplace well-being, and protecting the environment.”
The original 151,000-square-foot Manifattura Bulgari opened in 2017 as a replacement for its factories in Valenza and Solonghello, Italy.
The addition is about 205,000 square feet, bringing the total size of the facility to a little more than 355,000 square feet.
The factory employed 370 people when it opened eight years ago.
That number has since grown to more than 1,100 and Bulgari said it expects to hire more than 500 craftspeople by 2029 as production grows.
Included as part of the addition is Scuola Bulgari, a jewelry school that is open to all.
The brand said Scuola Bulgari is its first publicly accessible jewelry training school and the first school within a jewelry manufacturing facility.
Bulgari’s new jewelry school located within its Valenza factory, Scuola Bulgari, is open to the public, while the company’s existing jewelry academy is for employees of the brand only. (Photo courtesy of Bulgari)
It will operate alongside the Bulgari Jewelry Academy, which is the brand’s school for new employees that teaches the techniques used in creating the brand’s jewelry.
“At Scuola Bulgari, students will be trained by master goldsmiths, academic experts, and established professionals in the jewelry industry,” Bulgari Jewelry Managing Director Corinne Le Foll said.
“Together with the Bulgari Jewelry Academy, launched in 2017, this new educational initiative represents both concrete and symbolic investment in the genius and artistry of Made in Italy.”
According to Bulgari, the factory runs on renewable energy, with a geothermal system and more than 4,100 solar panels providing 50 percent of the plant’s power. The other half is supplied entirely by other renewable energy sources.
The manufacturing facility also has a no-plastics policy, optimized air treatment, precise temperature control, and water management systems.
More on Majors
The Latest
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
