Editors

GiGi Ferranti’s New Collection Is Full of ‘Pasta’bilities

EditorsOct 08, 2020

GiGi Ferranti’s New Collection Is Full of ‘Pasta’bilities

Associate Editor Lenore Fedow and jewelry designer Gina Ferranti, two Brooklyn-bred Italian-Americans, talk family, pasta and jewelry.

Ferranti_header.jpg
The new “Portofino” collection by GiGi Ferranti Jewelry turns pasta from a pantry staple into a wardrobe staple.

I ended a phone call with designer Gina Ferranti, of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry, Tuesday night feeling as if I had just finished catching up with an old friend.

We’re only jewelry-world acquaintances, but our paths run parallel.

Ferranti and I are both Italian-American women from Brooklyn, and our shared background made our conversation about her latest collection easy.

I shy away from my Brooklyn accent, truth be told, but Ferranti’s voice is strong and confident, and I found the nerve to let my guard down and my vowels loose.

Ferranti’s Italian heritage is woven throughout all her work, but the new “Portofino” collection takes it to the next level.

“As a designer, my inspiration is always through architecture and geometry and where they kind of blend,” she said.

Her “Lucia” collection, for example, mirrors the stained-glass windows of storied Italian churches she’s seen in her travels through Positano, Capri and along the Amalfi Coast.

For this new collection, she expanded her horizons beyond one type of architecture to encompass an entire town.

Inspired by the Italian Riviera, her pieces are infused with the essence of the seaside town of Portofino, though handcrafted in New York.

“Instead of just picking an element of a motif, why don’t I pick a beautiful area of Italy that I can turn into more of an experience than an element?” she asked herself.

Though she hasn’t ventured to that part of Italy just yet, images of the candy-colored houses dotting the crystal blue coastline invoked a luxurious, elite feeling that resonated with her.


GiGi Ferranti’s three-stone ring, crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, features a grape garnet in the center with orange and pink sapphires on either side ($5,800).
The strong geometric lines of the mountings and the emerald- and princess-cut stones throughout her collection, as seen in the three-stone ring above, mimic the buildings along the coast.

In several of Ferranti’s Portofino pieces, the warm colors of the houses meet the cool colors of the shore, like in the hinged sapphire cuff bracelet seen below.

“I always pick Italian because it’s my background. It’s what I know,” she said.


The Portofino hinged cuff bracelet in 18-karat yellow gold with multicolored sapphires and tsavorite garnets ($10,500)

Brooklyn is a small world and for Brooklyn Italians, I’d say it’s even smaller.

Ferranti’s family comes from Naples, as does mine, as well as Sicily. She tells me her grandparents had a house just a few blocks away from mine.

I

messaged Ferranti on Instagram the other day when a familiar face from my high school homeroom, who turned out to be her niece, was modeling her jewelry.

“Family is always a source of inspiration for me,” she said. “When I first started designing, I named my first three collections after my nieces: Bianca, Gianna, and Sophia.

“I don’t have to tell you, we’re very close with our family. To sit at the dinner table and eat is the event of the day or the week.”

Pasta is already an Italian pantry staple but in the Portofino collection, Ferranti has transformed it into a wardrobe staple.

Inspiration struck when she was looking to put her own spin on the chunky links trend.

She was sketching out a bracelet, drawing straight, barrel-like links. She angled the ends to match the rest of her angular designs.

“As I was drawing it, I said this is penne pasta!”

And so, the penne pasta link was created.


The Portofino penne link bracelet in 18-karat yellow gold with six multicolored sapphires or tsavorite garnets on each link ($6,650)

“I said to myself, do I dare name it penne?,” Ferranti recalls. “And I said, I think it’s so cute and whimsical and it’s who I am so I’m going to name it the penne link!”

I wouldn’t believe you could make pasta look glamorous if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes.

It’s fun and charming without being kitschy. You can wear your penne pasta as a pendant, as a link bracelet or as a necklace.

“I’m in love with the penne necklace,” she said, when pressed to name a favorite piece.


The Portofino penne link necklace in 18-karat yellow gold with multicolored sapphires and tsavorite garnets ($15,500)

“I just think it’s really so sexy on. It falls right underneath the pit in your neck. Because the links are solid, it’s heavy and just feels really good on.”

Made of solid 18-karat yellow gold, each link is set with six multicolored sapphires or tsavorite garnets.

My favorite from the collection is the horn charm, an Italian take on the current evil eye charm trend.


The Portofino Horn charm is made in 18-karat yellow gold and set with multi-colored princess-cut sapphires ($6,200)

Ferranti reimagines the classic “Cornicello,” believed to protect the wearer from the evil eye, a notion taken quite seriously by many Italians, particularly in our shared ancestral home of Naples.

Typically made of red coral with a gold cap, Ferranti still has her grandfather’s horn that would hang on his car’s rearview mirror.

Her version is crafted in 18-karat yellow gold and set with orange, purple and pink princess-cut sapphires.

At 2.5 inches, it’s a statement piece with a price tag of $6,200.

However, she has a smaller version in the works, set with one princess-cut stone, that will be available at a lower price point.

The charm may be her bread-and-butter going forward, said Ferranti.

With trade shows on hold for the time being, Ferranti is showing off her new collection via Zoom and FaceTime, sending her pieces by mail, and using social media.

“I don’t know if it’s a sign of the times or retailers paying more attention to social media because they can’t go to the shows, but it’s definitely been the highlight. I’m very grateful for that.”

And with the money she saved by not going to the shows, she'll be moving into a new retailer in New York in the near future.

More details on that to follow soon!

For more on the “Portofino” collection, visit the GiGi Ferranti Jewelry website.
Lenore Fedowis the senior editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

The Latest

Daymond John
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Dukachi Easter Bread Pendant
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ Pendant

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

Bremer Jewelry
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated Store

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

gia-topimage 0325.jpg
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Get online education from GIA experts.

Tiffany & Co. Strong Like Mom campaign
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day Campaign

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Athena Calderone x John Hardy Collection
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired Collection

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs Impact

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Natural Diamond Council Diamond Learning Center Graphic
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning Center

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from Members

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.

Technology Therapy Group logo
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry Retailers

The online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.

Catbird Chicago
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Catbird Expands to Chicago

The opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.

Foundrae United in Love Campaign
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through Love

The “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Robert and Rose-Marie Goodman outside Robert Goodman Jewelers
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-Up

Robert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.

Womens Jewelry Association WJA logo
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter President

The announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.

The Golconda Blue
AuctionsApr 15, 2025
23-Carat ‘Golconda Blue’ Heads to Auction

The historic fancy vivid blue diamond set to headline Christie’s Geneva sale next month could sell for up to $50 million.

Bulgari Eden the Garden of Wonders ad
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 Percent

LVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.

Screenshot from new Jon Hamm series on Apple TV+, Your Friends and Neighbors
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+

The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”

Kalpesh Jhaveri
SourcingApr 15, 2025
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2025 Board

The organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.

Two Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai

An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.

Sauer Balance Earrings in Ma Campaign
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ Collection

The collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.

Mari Lous Fine Jewelry
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 Years

Mari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.

GIA logo
GradingApr 14, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick In

GIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.

Van Cleef & Arpels Pearl and Diamond Earrings Similar to Princess Grace’s Wedding Earrings
AuctionsApr 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding Earrings

These earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.

My Next Question webinar graphic
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AI

Two experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.

Kentaro Nishimura
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. Division

Kentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.

America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova
WatchesApr 11, 2025
Bulova Documentary Now on Amazon Prime

“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy