Anne Hathaway caused quite a stir recently when she attended the unveiling of Bulgari’s newest high jewellery collection, Mediterranea, in Venice. The 40-year-old actress looked like a goddess in her golden Versace gown, outdone only by the Mediterranea Matrona Romana necklace, featuring five jaw-dropping pink tourmalines. The choice of location for the collection launch was deliberate. With its rich historical backdrop, Venice provided the perfect setting to showcase the opulence and grandeur encapsulated in Bulgari’s latest presentation.
The Mediterranea collection draws its inspiration from the intersection of diverse geographies, paying homage to the brand’s founder, Sotirio Bulgari. His remarkable voyages and experiences across Europe greatly influenced the design narrative, a legacy now celebrated through this new collection.
Bulgari artfully weaves a tapestry of influences together, embracing the enchantment of Eastern and Western cultures and drawing inspiration from Byzantine and Roman motifs. Additionally, elements reminiscent of North Africa and Southern Italian baroque lend the collection an exotic and captivating essence that adds character and charm to each piece.
True to Bulgari’s signature style, Mediterranea is an exquisite high jewellery collection that bursts with vibrant colours and showcases remarkable gemstones. There are three universes within it, each referring to a constellation of symbols, atmospheres, and inspirations. The collection is dominated by sapphires, a nod to Italy’s picturesque and dramatic coastlines.
One standout piece, the Southern Sapphire necklace, pays tribute to Puglia, renowned for its mesmerising azure blue seas, charming villages, and baroque architecture. Taking centre stage is a 66.8-ct Sri Lankan cabochon sapphire of unparalleled clarity. Bulgari spent over 1,650 hours creating the necklace, whose intricate mosaic-like pattern echoes the architectural landscape of the region. It is a testament to the house’s unwavering commitment to crafting extraordinary high jewellery.
In the Mediterranean Muse necklace, Bulgari captures the essence of the Mediterranean coastline’s enchanting blue hues through a harmonious combination of sapphires and aquamarines. The centrepiece is a stunning 15.13-ct Burmese sapphire with an otherworldly blue hue that draws you into its mystical depths. Enhanced by a delicate row of aquamarine drops, the necklace evokes a sense of wonder akin to the first encounter with the crystal-clear blue seas of the region. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this exceptional necklace required over 1,600 hours of labour.
Moving from the coast, the journey continues to Rome, where stunning emeralds take pride of place. The pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the Muse of Rome necklace, showcasing a colossal Colombian emerald weighing an impressive 218.53 cts. Playing on the phrase “all roads lead to Rome”, it combines diamonds and emeralds, drawing the gaze towards the magnificent sugarloaf emerald at its centre.
Jewellery creative director Lucia Silvestri collaborated with two artisans—she usually just works with one—to create this exceptional necklace. It took 2,300 hours of painstaking work to craft a design that complements and accentuates the emerald without overwhelming its natural beauty. The result is a modern creation featuring two tubular chains adorned with brilliant and baguette-cut diamonds and emeralds—a true testament to the skilled craftsmanship involved.
Inspired by reliefs found on the Ara Pacis altar, one of Rome’s most significant monuments dating back to 13 BC, the Acanthus Emerald necklace pays tribute to Augustus, Rome’s first emperor. Ancient Greek and Roman cultures have long revered the acanthus motif as a symbol of immortality and resurrection. In this design, the motif delicately frames seven pear-shaped emeralds with a combined weight of 33.57 cts.
In the final chapter, Bulgari combines East and West influences harmoniously. The Oriental Fantasy necklace transports us to Africa, capturing the vibrant essence of its spice markets. Nine mandarin garnets weighing over 90 cts combine elegantly with citrines. Mother of pearl and onyx enhance the radiant yellow and fiery orange hues, evoking henna tattoo patterns and adding an exquisite touch.
As its name suggests, the Tribute to Venice necklace encapsulates intricate details from the incredible architecture of the City of Canals. Its design draws inspiration from the play of light within the palazzos and winding canals. Baguette- and brilliant-cut diamonds are delicately paired, highlighting an intense, fancy yellow diamond weighing 15.5 cts.
Mediterranean Sapphire Serpenti necklace
The Mediterranean Sapphire Serpenti necklace featuring Bulgari’s 75-year-old Serpenti motif concludes the collection. It features nine sapphires weighing 40.81 cts and 80 oval shaped sapphire beads totalling 116 cts—an impressive display demonstrating Bulgari’s ability to source outstanding gemstones. With its sinuous curves, the serpent evokes the undulating waves of the ocean, enhanced by white diamonds, representing frothy foam, and blue sapphires, mirroring the waves’ gentle motion.
