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
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
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.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
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.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
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.
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.
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.
