By Samantha Brooks
Lucrezia Buccellati, Vice President Client Relationships Buccellati America and a member of the Maison’s creative team. Photo by Sophie Sahara.
As the fourth generation to work for the storied Italian house of Buccellati, Lucrezia Buccellati serves as the Vice President of Client Relationships Buccellati America and is also a member of the Maison’s creative team. She’s also an ambassador for the jewelry brand founded in Milan by her great grandfather in 1919. Besides the many roles she plays professionally, she’s also a mother of three young children and an uncompromising tastemaker. With Mother’s Day on the horizon, we asked Buccellati to share her favorite items to gift—and receive—and to see what we can look forward to from the heritage brand in the season ahead.
What’s new and exciting for you right now?
We’re about to launch an extension of our Caviar collection, which will be presented at Milan Design Week. It reflects the “art of the table” concept, which is a strong part of our heritage. From flatware to bowls to picture frames, the idea is that it’s an entire collection of decoration for the home and hosting. The inspiration came from a gold goblet my grandfather designed in the 1980s with jade and cabochon sapphires. He had the idea of creating magical pieces as art, which is a tradition we’re carrying on in a contemporary way.
What are your tips for choosing the perfect gift?
Anytime a piece of jewelry is unique or one-of-a-kind, it makes a great gift because you know it’s something the recipient doesn’t have already, and the craftsmanship is so special. With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s best to look for something easy and versatile because moms are always on the go. The button earrings from our Ghirlanda collection are elegant and sophisticated, with brilliant-cut diamonds and vibrant stones. They instantly elevate any outfit, and if you have kids, they won’t tug on them. It’s all about creating a memory though and the experience of receiving or shopping for a gift.
How have you refined your own personal style?
My daily personal style is minimalistic. I’m driven by jewelry pieces I don’t need to think of taking off. One thing I wear all day every day are my little pendant button earrings. I’ll often add a little bangle bracelet from our Macri Collection, which is so effortless and versatile. When I need to dress up a bit more, I can add a few more bracelets or a necklace to layer. I like to put different pieces of different collections together. It’s an ode to the longevity of the brand.
What jewelry pieces do your kids notice most?
When my boys were little, they always noticed my pendent necklace, which is a little diamond with a heart and pave of diamonds. Now, they’re 9 and 12 and they understand our family’s jewelry designs and the craftsmanship around them more. I take them to the atelier to see how the artisans make them, which they find fascinating.
What are your earliest memories of jewelry?
I remember as a kid noticing my mom’s earrings, with their big stones. Now, my little daughter is 6 months old, and I see her trying to reach for my necklace or earrings—they love the noise the pieces make sometimes. It’s a very specific jingling noise; bracelets are actually a great way for her to be distracted and play.
What are some of your favorite pieces to be passed down by your family?
A very special piece passed down to me is a ruby ring from my grandmother, which was designed and given to her by my grandfather. It’s very special to me because we were so close, and it brings alive memories of her.
When do you know it’s time to pass down a piece of important jewelry?
I think by the time my daughter is 16 or 17, she’ll be wearing and borrowing from my jewelry box, but heirloom pieces like a family engagement ring won’t be passed on until one of them gets married.
When I was a kid, it was always a struggle for me—I’d see these amazing pieces in my family’s collection and want to wear them, but they were too precious. Funny enough, that’s how the inspiration for the Blossoms collection was born, out of the necessity for something effortless to wear that was appropriate for our clients, but not too precious. It’s easy to travel with and a great collection for a mother and daughter to share.
Any Mother’s Day traditions you’d like to share?
My kids write me these very cute letters and drawings that I keep in a box. It’s the little moments like that that I love looking back on and will always cherish.
