Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59

New York—The jewelry industry is mourning designer Gina “GiGi” Ferranti, who passed away earlier this month.

Ferranti died on July 8 at the age of 59 due to ovarian cancer, according to information shared by family and friends.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer began her career in the fashion industry before completing her graduate gemologist degree and founding her fine jewelry brand in 2015, according to the GiGi Ferranti Jewelry website.

She channeled her Italian-American heritage, New York City background, an appreciation for architecture, and a love of family into her work.

Her first three jewelry collections were named after her nieces, Bianca, Gianna, and Sophia.

“As a designer, my inspiration is always through architecture and geometry and where they kind of blend,” she said in a previous interview with National Jeweler.

Her “Graffito” collection celebrated New York City’s graffiti murals and took inspiration from the historic frescoes in Pompeii.

The “Lucia” collection mirrored the stained-glass windows of storied Italian churches she saw in her travels through Positano, Capri, and along the Amalfi Coast.

The “Portofino” collection was inspired by the Italian Riviera, specifically the seaside town Portofino. It included her own take on the cornicello and penne pasta-inspired links.

Fellow jewelry designers, industry members, family, and friends took to social media to share their grief and memories.

Her niece, Gianna Sciortino Casillo, shared her memories of her aunt in a Facebook post, describing her as a second mother.

“Aunt Gina was one of the most incredible women I’ve ever known. She was pure light. The kind of person who made you feel safe, seen, and deeply loved. Aunt Gina was a true artist, and the heartbeat of every room she walked into,” she wrote.

“She made everything beautiful, from the jewelry she designed to the way she showed up for people. Always dancing, always laughing, always lifting others higher. Her love was big, bold, and unforgettable.”

In an Instagram post, Benjamin Guttery of Third Coast Gems wrote, “Her light was contagious, her words uplifting, and her smile unforgettable. I'll never forget you, my friend. Your art will live on and become heirlooms for future generations.”

“Gina was bright and strong and full of love. The jewelry that she delighted in designing for her brand felt so much like her personality: bold and colorful and welcoming and joyful,” wrote Becky Stone of Diamonds in the Library.

In a Facebook post, jewelry historian Beth Bernstein said, “Gina was a bright light and beautiful, both inside and out. She was a rare talent in the jewelry business and a rare friend. Genuine, understanding, giving, big-hearted, and always willing to help.”

Services were held at The Gardens of Boca Raton in Boca Raton, Florida, from July 14-15, with a funeral mass on July 15.