By Rayan Innue
Few names in the world of fine jewellery have evoked as much respect and admiration as that of Stefan Hafner. Today, the 43-year-old brand is presenting a number of new collections that evoke sophistication and elegance with an air of contemporary classicism.
The words Magic Touch, Dreamlike, Wonder, and Revelation have often been used to describe the jewellery created by master jeweller and designer Stefan Hafner over the years. The brand’s well-deserved reputation comes from the creation of a scintillating range of high-quality and high-design pieces imbued with festive glamour and splendour. Stefan Hafner’s diverse and dazzling array of designer collections are matched only by the multitude of inspirations from the brand’s team of creators who are endowed with skills as diverse as architecture, fashion, graphic design, theatre sets, and photography. With a passion for creativity on par with their traditional skills in goldsmithing and stone-setting, these talented individuals work together in the brand’s factories in Valenza to create award-winning jewellery that can be described as the “New Classic.” With its jewellery meeting the highest standards in design and manufacture, the brand has earned accolades from around the world. Among its notable recent achievements are the “Best Design in Diamonds” prize from the American Jewellery Awards competition (three years in a row) and the “Best Design in Show” award by the Couture Design Collection in Las Vegas.
This year, Stefan Hafner is introducing the new Promise, Rosa Tattoo, and Silhouettes collections. Combining the traditional skills of the goldsmith with a fresh approach, these jewels offer a design that is contemporary with an intrinsic lightness.
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Among the highlights of the Promise collection are various combinations of superb and sophisticated rings that feature white or rose 18K gold set with black and white diamonds, blue and pink sapphires, and other precious gemstones with a large stone crowning the ensemble. Alternating white or black diamonds also combine with coloured stones to give the pieces a touch of opulent diversity.
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With its new Rosa Tattoo collection, Stefan Hafner imbues its pieces with a note of playful whimsy. Evoking a real tattoo, these pendants come in various colours composed of rose or white 18K gold set with diamonds and precious gemstones such as coloured sapphires, rubies, and tsavorites. Rosa Tattoo is the perfect answer to those who want a tantalizing—yet temporary—tattoo next to their skin.
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The brand takes a more emotional journey with its Silhouettes collection. One of the pieces in this line is the beautiful Bride pendant, made of white 18K gold, white and black diamonds, and pink sapphires—perfect for any wedding. For something a bit more fanciful, the demure Fairy in white gold with white and black diamonds will delight all those who are young and young-at-heart.
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| "Mosaico" bracelet by Nouvelle Bague & "Bells" earrings by Io Si |
A part of the Italy-based Blu Group, Stefan Hafner jewellery (along with Italian brands IoSi and Nouvelle Bague) is distributed in North America by Miami-based Opera Jewels. Founded in 2003 by Massimo Zerbini and Andrea Medri, Opera Jewels has shown itself to be exceptional, not just in the way the company approaches business, but with the brands and retailers. “In this erratic and critical economic period,” explains Massimo Zerbini, “when so many companies are afraid to invest in developing and creating solid relationships with customers, Opera Jewels is strengthening its commitment with presence, support, and innovation. Our goal is to become—for every customer—an important strategic partner in their success.” And partner it is, not only for its retailers, but also for the Stefan Hafner brand, the quintessence of Italian Design.
