DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
BY JENNIFER BRUGH
MARCO BICEGO ACADEMY
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MASTER GOLDSMITHS
M arco Bicego, the renowned Italian fine jewelry brand celebrated for its nature- inspired collections, has embarked on an extraordinary new journey: the Marco Bicego Academy, a prestigious training program designed to nurture and develop new master goldsmiths and professional jewelry artisans. This unique initiative combines formal classroom teaching, structured hands-on training, and personalized coaching to enhance the brand’s specialized production capacity and create a legacy for generations to come. In collaboration with recruitment agency Gi Group and the Vicenza Professional School of Art and Crafts, the academy has initiated a comprehensive artisan recruiting and selection process to identify talented individuals to learn the revered craft of goldsmithing. Throughout an intensive and immersive 120-hour training program, artisans learn and develop their handcrafting skills under careful guidance from the industry’s finest. By passing on this old-world technique to the next generation, Marco Bicego is enshrining its heritage and influencing jewelry-making for decades. “The importance of learning and mastering a craft seems to be a recommendation from the past,” says Marco Bicego, founder and creative director of the eponymous brand. “Instead, it is very current, and it can be prestigious.”
Marco Bicego, founder and creative director.
“We have launched this academy to enhance the quality of our work and make our territory attractive again,” he says. “It is part of our mission to preserve and elevate historical savoir-faire, supporting the bond with our local community and the territory where our goldsmith tradition originates.” From backgrounds diverse in experience and expertise, every artisan to attend the academy embarks on a transformative journey, mastering old-world techniques. One of those techniques is burin engraving, an exquisite distinctive handcrafted process synonymous with the brand’s heritage. Relying on an ancient tool, the burin engraving technique dates back to the 15th century, with Maso Finiguerra being one of the first notable Italian goldsmiths to utilize the process. With quick, meticulous motions, artisans scratch into gold, leaving behind fine lines that produce a smooth yet captivating brushed texture. More than 5,000 hand movements go into each design, and no two pieces are alike. That makes each necklace, earring, and ring one-of-a-kind. Bicego is revered for his ability to fuse ancient traditions with contemporary creativity. He has developed this signature style that resonates with women seeking refined yet unconventional luxury for their everyday lives. His designs draw inspiration from the organic shapes found in nature, the allure of 18k yellow gold, and the captivating radiance of precious gemstones. Present in more than 50 countries worldwide, Marco Bicego has become one of the world’s most prestigious jewelry brands. Now, as the company embarks on this remarkable journey to nurture a new generation of master artisans, the brand reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation, and the preservation of time-honored craftsmanship.
Marco Bicego jewelry from top: Marrakech Diamond Necklace in 18K Yellow and White Gold $9,980 Lunaria Alta Diamond Ring in 18K Yellow Gold $6,080. Lunaria Ring in 18K Yellow Gold $2,300.
Skillful and meticulous, a Marco Bicego master goldsmith hand engraves the fine, brushed texture onto a gold jewelry piece.
40 ALSON JEWELERS MAGAZINE
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