GIULIANA VALZ-GEN

22K Gold Vermeil Teardrop Earrings

With 300 days of clear, sunny skies the Peruvian city Arequipa is a hot-spot for eager tourists. 

Renowned for its stunning buildings composed of white volcanic stone to many the city’s main square, Plaza de Armas, is like “visiting a living museum.” 

Peru is also home to featured jewelry designer Giuliana Valz-Gen.

The gorgeous result of filigree work has been around for centuries.  Ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, Etruscans and Mesopotamians implemented this intricate technique of delicately arranging gold or silver wires in dinnerware, figurines and sculptures. 

Although filigree work was commonplace in jewelry making centuries ago, it is considered a specialty today.

Valz-Gen’s quietly dynamic creations of heart, flower, and circle pendant necklaces, drop earrings, and cocktail rings are stunning in their intricate details.  Working with 22-karat gold vermeil wires the breezy, classic forms belie that the technique is quite labor-intensive.

22K Gold Vermeil Lace Sweetheart
Necklace

The 56-year-old widow created jewelry in her childhood and by age 14 she was “wearing my own creations.”  While in college, she took “elective” jewelry making courses opting to create designs in her spare time as she tweaked and developed her skills. 

“Setting up my own workshop was a way to rescue ancestral techniques in gold and silver.  I have researched the handcrafted styles developed in Peru over the centuries,” she explains.

22K Gold Vermeil Yellow Rose
Cocktail Ring

“In a way my work deals with the richness of nature.  I want my designs to complement female beauty. 

What really counts is my designs speak of tradition yet they are modern.  Designing is easy.  I just think of what I’d like to wear.”