From today in the Netherlands: handmade Italian jewelry and jewels
The first Dutch branch of iconic jeweler G.B. Spadafora has just officially opened in The Hague. Today, owner Monica Spadafora proudly presented her new store on the iconic Denneweg in The Hague to invited guests, including Italian Ambassador Giorgio Novello. Together they unveiled the jewelry store's new spring collection inspired by Mediterranean flowers, such as the Soldanella, which bloom in the Calabria region where Monica is from. G.B. Spadafora brings not only handmade Italian jewelry and jewels, but also a rich history of family stories. For example, Monica's now-deceased father was revered in Italy as the "goldsmith of the Madonnas," because of his impressive crowns for the holy Madonnas. His private collection of antique jewelry has also been recognized as national heritage by the Italian government and can be admired via a catalog in The Hague boutique. The first copy of this was presented to the Italian ambassador. Visitors can find handmade earrings, necklaces and other jewelry ranging from everyday use to special occasions at G.B. Spadafora. For more information: www.gbspadafora.com
Main photo:Festive opening of Italian jeweler G.B. Spadafora. © Jort Stengs
New spring collection marks start of spring
The atelier of G.B. Spadafora, based in the Italian region of Calabria, has developed the new spring collection using ancient Italian techniques. The process begins with designing the jewelry, taking into account current trends, and the refined weaving of the gold threads. Monica Spadafora explains, "Our new spring collection is inspired by the Mediterranean flowers that bloom in the region. Think for example of the Soldanella flower and daffodils. One of my favorite items is a necklace with white flowers set with micro pearls. These are not glued on, as is usually done, but sewn on with finely woven gold thread. This is an ancient technique of the Byzantines that is still used in our Italian region."
The Denneweg in The Hague: the living room of the city
G.B. Spadafora is opening a boutique outside Italy for the first time in its centuries-long family history. Monica says: "It is not by chance that I chose The Hague as the place to expand G.B. Spadafora. The Hague is the perfect city for our jewelry. The city has a special position as a city of peace and justice. That fits well with our history. Our jewelry store is also close to the Italian embassy and the Denneweg is, as we say in Italy, 'il salotto della città', the living room of the city. That completes the circle!"
Hague branch of jewelry store G.B. Spadafora. © Jort Stengs
About G.B. Spadafora The Hague
G.B. Spadafora is an Italian jewelry store. The store is located at 182 Denneweg in The Hague, on the corner of the famous Mauritskade and is open five days a week (Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30-17:30). Visitors can find handmade earrings, necklaces and other jewelry ranging from everyday wear to special occasions at G.B. Spadafora.
New spring collection from G.B. Spadafora. © Jort Stengs
A long history of goldsmithing
G.B. Spadafora traces its roots back to the 18th century, with a long family line of goldsmiths. "My great-great-grandfather's 1882 marriage certificate stated that he was already a goldsmith at that time, but according to tradition, my family has been practicing the trade since the 18th century," Monica said. In 1955, Monica's father Giovan Battista Spadafora opened a jewelry store in the family's hometown of San Giovanni in Fiore in the Calabria region, with great success. Here the name G.B. Spadafora became synonymous with high-quality jewelry. The story behind G.B. Spadafora's logo, the seven-headed dragon, was rediscovered in the 1980s by Monica's father. The seven-headed dragon is seen as a symbol of victory over evil. It inspired the designs.
Monica was trained in her younger years by her now-deceased father, whom she calls the "Leonardo da Vinci" of the family. His passion for innovation led him to develop new mechanisms for wearing jewelry and even used medical instruments alongside conventional tools to craft his jewelry. Later, when he also threw himself into making imposing crowns, he acquired a second nickname: "goldsmith of the Madonnas. "Calabria is very religious, Mary there is showered with jewelry as offerings for healing or to ward off calamity. From all the gold thus collected, the church has crowns made to adorn the Madonnas," Monica says. To preserve all the family stories, Monica aspires to share them with Holland in the hope that it will inspire life here.
