CollectionsMay 05, 2021
Dana Bronfman Introduces Bridal OfferingsEditorsMay 10, 2021
GiGi Ferranti’s Graffiti-Inspired Collection Wows
The Brooklyn-based designer just took initial and heart pendants to a whole new level.
The new GiGi Ferranti collection is an elevated take on classic heart and initial pendants.
There’s something about Gina Ferranti’s jewelry that just feels like home.
It could be our shared backgrounds, a topic I touched on when I covered her candy-colored dream of a collection, Portofino.
Ferranti and I are both Italian-American women from southern Brooklyn, just a stone’s throw from each other.
Scrolling through Instagram a while back, I stumbled upon a familiar face from my high school homeroom, who turned out to be her niece, modeling her jewelry.
“What a funny coincidence,” I thought to myself, but the jewelry world is a small one and so is Brooklyn.
Her latest model? Another woman from my graduating high school class.
Though we were more acquaintances than friends, I recognized her right away. We were co-stars back in our high school drama days.
She looks as lovely as ever and adds a gorgeous Brooklyn edge to the photos.
Maybe it is just a coincidence, or maybe it’s the universe aligning, but I had to cover this collection.
The new GiGi Ferranti Graffito capsule collection is edgy and fun, colorful and bright.
It has all the hallmarks of Ferranti’s jewelry, from its bold, architectural designs to its subtle nods to her Italian heritage and Brooklyn background.
The pieces draw inspiration from the historic frescoes in Pompeii and New York City’s graffiti murals.
“It’s a modern version of the Pompeii etchings on the wall,” Ferranti said.
Ferranti used the singular “graffito” to refer to both individualism in art and the stand-alone initials seen in the collection.
A set of Graffito initial pendants ($1,700 for colored gemstones, $2,100 for diamonds)
Graffiti artists have developed myriad styles, but Ferranti chose the “blockbuster” style, which incorporates bold, block letters.
Style-wise, this year is going to be all about boldness and confidence, with a little of that quarantine casual mixed in, said Ferranti.
She recommends pairing the pendants with a comfy sweatsuit and trendy sneakers or oversized jeans and a fitted blazer. The pendants add the perfect pop of color to a neutral palette.
Initial jewelry is all the rage, with designers like Brent Neale and Marla Aaron throwing their bedazzled hats in the ring.
If you’ve seen one heart/initial pendant, you’ve seen them all, right? Wrong.
But you do have to come up with something pretty spectacular to stand out from the crowd, and Ferranti has done just that.
The charm pendants are set with ombré gemstones, hand-chosen to give the appearance of spray paint.
Available in 14-karat yellow or white gold, the initial pendants come in a blue and purple version, set with sapphires and amethyst, a green version in varying hues of tsavorite garnet, and a pink and orange sapphire version.
There is also a white diamond style available if opting for a more classic look.
Perfect for layering, the pendants can be sold with or without a 16-inch paperclip chain.
Each piece is crafted in New York City.
Ferranti has an affinity for heart jewelry, adding at least one per year to a collection, she said.
She takes the typical heart pendant up a notch, using a slightly askew, edgy heart shape.
It’s available in 14-karat yellow or white gold in the same color schemes as the initial pendants.
Her personal favorites in the collection are the orange-pink heart and the initial pendant in the blue-purple tones, which she says is especially easy to pair with denim.
The orange-pink pendants are a standout to me, each color blending into the next as seamlessly as a summer sunset.
Ferranti was fresh from a trunk show at London Jewelers when we caught up with each other.
The collection has been well-received, she said, with the heart pendants in particular resonating with her more mature clientele.
“We were having fun just figuring out how to wear it.”
The pendants are sold on their own, with a paperclip chain add-on available, though some customers have been adding them onto their existing charm bracelets.
It’s been so well-received that Ferranti is expanding the collection, slowly adding in new pieces.
“It’s going to be expanding beyond initials because the look is really what people are loving.”
There may be some hoop earrings on the horizon, she said, an addition I’d especially love to see.
Looking ahead, there’s another small capsule collection in the works, expected to be launched around the holidays.
“I don’t want to give away the name, but I will tell you that it will be something in a holiday price range and something that any age group can definitely wear.”
As someone who admires Ferranti’s jewelry from afar, I’m thrilled to hear this.
To keep the price under the $1,200 mark, she will be going heavy on the sapphires, though more expensive diamond versions will be available.
For this upcoming collection, Ferranti is trying the direct-to-consumer model, selling exclusively on her website.
I will be checking back in to see what dazzling designs Ferranti comes up with next, so stay tuned for that!
The Graffito capsule collection is available at London Jewelers, SoHo Gems, and online.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The Latest
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
