Zaffiro Jewelry Studio
Portland, OR. USA
Jack and Elizabeth Gualtieri of Zaffiro create jewelry featuring the ancient technique of granulation. The husband-and-wife goldsmithing team is not content to merely reinterpret the past; they are dedicated to bringing a modern spirit to an age-old technique, both in their designs and in their craft.
Entirely hand fabricated in their studio in Portland, Oregon, each one of a kind piece is a highly detailed work of art in miniature imbued with the geometries of the natural world. It all starts with the language of spheres that speak through texture, patterns, shadows and light. "We manipulate the tiny spheres, yet they are our meditation as well as our craft."
Seventeen different sizes of granules are individually created in the studio, mostly in the traditional 22kt yellow gold, but also in their custom 22kt white and rose gold alloys as well as in platinum. Whether it is a piece crafted in the traditional 22kt yellow gold, in their custom colored gold alloys, in their distinctive platinum granulation onto 22kt gold, or in hand forged, oxidized silver and 22kt gold, the Gualtieris are always pushing the boundaries of the technique.
Earrings are set with Sunset Zircons (1.48tcw, 5mm), Silky Imperial Topaz (4.85tcw, 7x9mm) and Blue Zircons (.50tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold posts. 1.375"L x .625"W x .25"D
Hoop & Drop Set
Hoop Earrings are in the Twist/Swirl style in oxidized sterling silver with 22kt yellow gold detail and 18kt yellow gold posts. Drops are set with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise tear drops (7.05tcw) and Watermelon Spinels (.18tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold. 1.75"L x .5"W x .5"D
Classic Collection — Earrings
Earrings are set with Opalized Petrified Wood ovals (19x14mm, 16.30tcw) and Pink Sapphires (.64tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold french hooks. 1.5"L x 1"W x .25"D
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Patricia Series Earrings
Earrings are set with Rubellite Pink Tourmalines (3.82tcw, 7x9mm), White Diamonds (.41tcw), Magenta Sapphires (.25tcw), and Rubies (.16tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold posts. 1.25"L x .5"W x .25"D
Earrings
Earrings are set with Aquamarine Surface Crystal tiles (24.62tcw), Faceted Moonstones (1.06tcw) and Mint Green Tourmalines (.14tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold french hooks, 1.5" L x 5/8" W x 3/8" D.
Earrings
Earrings are set with Tsavorite Garnet trillions (4mm, .65tcw), Blue Zircon rounds (4mm, .80tcw) and Green Tourmaline briolettes (6x12mm, 7.44tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold french hooks. 2"L x .375"W x .25"D
Nebula Series Earrings
Earrings are set with Moonstones (5x7mm, 1.45tcw) and Diamonds (.23tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with forged and oxidized sterling silver and 18kt yellow gold french hooks, 2.5" L x 5/8" W x 1.4" D.
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Patricia Series Earrings
Earrings are set with Spessartite Garnets (2.18tcw, 6x5mm), Mandarin Garnets (.18tcw) and Magenta Saphires (.68tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold posts. 1"L x .5"W x .25"D
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Mielikki Convertible Earrings
Earrings are set with Chrysoberyls (3.26tcw), Mint Green Tourmalines (1.82tcw) and Diamonds (.38tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold posts. The Chrysoberyl element can be worn by itself as a stud earring or with the Tourmaline drops (see inset photo).
Nebula Cuff
Cuff bracelet is set with a Moonstone (9.5mm, 2.72cts) and Diamonds (.08tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold on forged and oxidized sterling silver.
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Nebula Cuff
Cuff Bracelet is set with an Australian Boulder Opal (11.7 x 19mm, 6.48cts), Blue Diamonds (.21tcw) and White Diamonds (.06tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold on forged and oxidized sterling silver
Anemone Necklace
One strand of White Freshwater “pillowy-cloud” Pearls (20x23mm) linked in 18kt yellow gold with a clasp in granulated 22kt and 18kt gold set with a Peruvian Opal (12.0cts) and Blue Diamonds (R, .24tcw), 20" in length but fits at 18".
Patricia Series Pendant
Pendant is set with a South Seas baroque Pearl (25x19mm), a Blue Tourmaline cabochon (4.78cts) and Teal Diamonds (R, .10tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold.
Victoria Pendant
Pendant is set with a Moonstone (8.4x13mm, 5.07cts), Prasiolite Briolettes (28.08tcw), Demantoid Garnets (.34tcw) and Diamonds (.06tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold, 2.5"L x 1"W x .375"D.
Cabinet of Curiosities Pendant
Pendant is set with a piece of Sardinian Branch Coral (83.95cts) and Diamonds (.27tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold. 4.5"L x 2.25"W x .75"D
Celtic Shield
Pendant is in blackened fine silver with 22kt yellow gold granulation and wire work detail and set with Blue Sapphires (.28tcw) and Magenta Sapphires (.09tcw). 2" L & W x .5"D
Nebula Series Pendant
Pendant is set with a Blue Moonstone (8.6 x 13.5mm, 5.25cts) and Diamonds (.25tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with forged and oxidized sterling silver, 2" L x 1" W x 3/8" D.
Patricia Series Snowflake Pendant
Pendant is set with a Blue Moonstone (12.19cts, 12.6mm), Diamonds (.10tcw), Pink Sapphires (.31tcw), and Purple Sapphires (.19tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold. 1.5"L x 1.25"W x .5"D
Pendant
Pendant is set with a Watermelon Tourmaline Slice (28.60cts), Chrome Tourmalines (2.64tcw) and Diamonds (.28tcw) in granulated 22kt yellow gold with 18kt yellow gold. 2.5"L x 1.875"W x .375"D
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