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
EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
