From the private collection of a continental lady

A MAGNIFICENT AQUAMARINE, SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND DRESS RING, BY CARLO ILLARIO FOR FASANO, CIRCA 1970

The rectangular-cut aquamarine weighing...

From the private collection of a continental lady

A MAGNIFICENT AQUAMARINE, SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND DRESS RING, BY CARLO ILLARIO FOR FASANO, CIRCA 1970

The rectangular-cut aquamarine weighing 13.30cts within a double four-claw setting, between calibré-cut sapphire and brilliant-cut diamond shoulders, mounted in 18K gold, signed Fasano, partial Italian registry mark for Carlo Illario, with document, with maker’s case, ring size L½

Illario’s workshop was able to confirm that this ring was a unique piece made in the 1970s for Fasano

Accompanied by a document from a Instituti Analisi Gemmelogiche in Valenza (Italy) stating that the aquamarine is weighing 13.304cts and is natural. Report number VKX181091

 

Born to a family of cotton manufacturers in Chieri in 1900, Mario Fasano’s undoubted eye for beauty would lead to him opening his first jewellery business, ‘Gioielleria Fasano’, in Turin in 1928. Throughout his work, Fasano adhered to the traditional practices of Parisian jewellers, and, while styles changed, the craftmanship that lay at the heart of their work was honoured by him throughout his life. He married Stella Piovano in 1932 and she was to be his life-long partner in every sense of the term. Together in 1935 they opened their first store in Piazza Castello, the heart of Turin’s lively social scene.

As the white gems and platinum of the 1930s gave way to the bold colours and yellow gold of the 1940s and 50s, Fasano’s signature pheasant or ‘Fagiona’ brooch, the emblem of his maison, became a recognisable staple in the world of fine Italian jewellery. As the 50s progressed, Fasano’s and Stella’s attention moved more towards the selection of precious and unusual stones, favouring cabochon cuts and those less traditional cuts. When their son Dario Fasano joined the family business in the 1960s, the older generation drew on his experiences studying abroad to bring a fresher spin on their materials and techniques, such as lava stone and gold/bronze combinations.

Fasano Jewellers closed operations in 2013, but their pieces still embody some of the best in mid-century jewellery.

 

 

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