CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio Characters
The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
The six characters are seen in their homes in, from left to right, “The Crab” pendant ($11,210), “The Mermaid” pendant ($14,040), the “Keep Dancing Seahorse” pendant ($11,110), the “Keep Dancing Ladybug” pendant ($11,110), the “Secret Dreams” pendant ($9,670), and “The Puffer Fish Takes Flight” pendant ($14,300).
Piedmont, Italy—Francesca Villa debuted her “Fantasia” collection at Couture last month, building on the characters seen in her “Close Encounters” collection.
Fantasia takes the characters from reverse intaglio crystals and transforms them into 3D forms made of titanium, 18-karat yellow gold, enamel, and gemstones including sapphires, tsavorites, emeralds, rubies, iolites, and diamonds.
It all started in 2022 when designer Francesca Villa created her Close Encounters collection, imagining a world of unexpected meetings between creatures from different environments.
In 2023, the collection expanded with the “Make A Wish” chapter where animals like the leopard make a wish for new friends and meet the ladybug and seahorse.
Now, in Fantasia, the mermaid, seahorse, ladybug, and crab set off on their own adventures while the puffer fish with its bird and the whale with his cactus and teacup are the protagonists of their own stories in Villa’s fantastical world.
“It is our ode to whimsy, fun, and fantasy,” said Villa. “Fantasia is made to accompany you to a new world.”
Fantasia takes the characters from reverse intaglio crystals and transforms them into 3D forms made of titanium, 18-karat yellow gold, enamel, and gemstones including sapphires, tsavorites, emeralds, rubies, iolites, and diamonds.
It all started in 2022 when designer Francesca Villa created her Close Encounters collection, imagining a world of unexpected meetings between creatures from different environments.
In 2023, the collection expanded with the “Make A Wish” chapter where animals like the leopard make a wish for new friends and meet the ladybug and seahorse.
Now, in Fantasia, the mermaid, seahorse, ladybug, and crab set off on their own adventures while the puffer fish with its bird and the whale with his cactus and teacup are the protagonists of their own stories in Villa’s fantastical world.
“It is our ode to whimsy, fun, and fantasy,” said Villa. “Fantasia is made to accompany you to a new world.”
“The Mermaid” hoop earrings with rubies, diamonds, enamel, 18-karat yellow gold, and titanium ($3,740)
A “Take a Sip” ring with emeralds and enamel over 18-karat yellow gold and titanium ($4,490)
A pair of “Cherry Blossom” earrings in 18-karat yellow gold and titanium with rubies, yellow sapphires, and enamel ($4,420)
The “Blue Flowers” hoop earrings, which coordinate with the chain designs for each character’s pendant, in 18-karat yellow gold and titanium with orange and yellow sapphires ($5,540)
“The Swimming Puffer Fish” ring with rubies and enamel in 18-karat yellow gold and titanium ($3,840)
“The Whale” hoop earrings in 18-karat yellow gold and titanium with enamel and accents of iolite ($4,660)
“The Twist” ring with red enamel over 18-karat yellow gold ($2,140)
Bringing these six characters to life in three dimensions was a technically demanding feat for Villa’s atelier team in Valenza, Italy, the brand said. Attention was paid to ensure each character was faithful to its original depiction.
The collection’s pendants create a space for each character to call home, crafted with inspiration from the vibrant colors and rich decorations of traditional Mexican nichos—folk art frames in the style of a shadow box.
The miniature homes celebrate the animal’s magical and enchanting souls as perfect dwellings tailored with symbolic details chosen to represent each one, the brand said.
Fantasia also includes earrings and rings that complement the more elaborate centerpiece designs of the collection, like “The Twist” bands and “Cherry Blossom” earrings.
While the floral hoop earrings coordinate with the accents on the chains the pendants are strung on, the character rings feature more animated forms of the characters. On one, the mermaid is seen with her cherry treasures and on another the whale carries his tiny cactus.
Related stories will be right here …
The collection’s pendants create a space for each character to call home, crafted with inspiration from the vibrant colors and rich decorations of traditional Mexican nichos—folk art frames in the style of a shadow box.
The miniature homes celebrate the animal’s magical and enchanting souls as perfect dwellings tailored with symbolic details chosen to represent each one, the brand said.
Fantasia also includes earrings and rings that complement the more elaborate centerpiece designs of the collection, like “The Twist” bands and “Cherry Blossom” earrings.
While the floral hoop earrings coordinate with the accents on the chains the pendants are strung on, the character rings feature more animated forms of the characters. On one, the mermaid is seen with her cherry treasures and on another the whale carries his tiny cactus.
The 25-piece collection ranges from $2,140 to $14,300.
Fantasia first debuted at Couture last month and will be available in September at select retailers and on the brand’s website.
The collection will also launch with a special display at Francesca Villa’s stockist White Bird in Paris for Paris Design Week.
During Couture, Villa also won her second consecutive Couture Design Award, now in the “Best in Pearls” category for her “Eyes on You” pink pearl pendant necklace.
More on Collections
The Latest
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink DiamondThe stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.
MajorsOct 21, 2025
Pomellato Brings ‘Global Attitude’ to Rodeo Drive FlagshipHollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.
Lab-GrownOct 21, 2025
Grown Brilliance Opens First FlagshipThe New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.
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 & AwardsOct 21, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 20, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 10-Carat Vivid Pink DiamondMaking its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.
SourcingOct 20, 2025
2 Mozambique Police Officers Killed at Gemfields’ Ruby MineThey were attacked on Oct. 15, as approximately 40 miners without licenses marched on the mine’s gate.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
CrimeOct 20, 2025
See the ‘Priceless’ Jewels Stolen During Daytime Heist at the Louvre It took the masked thieves less than 10 minutes to steal eight irreplaceable jewels from two display cases in the museum’s Apollo Gallery.
SourcingOct 20, 2025
Pristine Gems Names New Director of European SalesGemologist Lauren Gayda has previously worked at The Clear Cut, Taylor & Hart, and Effy Jewelry.
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s SpectacularThe holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado JewelerCharles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department LeadershipThe auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
