In Conversation with Monika Ruggerino

Your family has worked in fine jewellery for four generations. How has that legacy shaped your approach to design and craftsmanship? 

The greatest influence on my work has been my parents' dedication to handcrafted goldsmithing and their commitment to natural, high-quality gemstones. For my family, jewellery wasn't simply a profession; it was a way of life. I feel a great sense of responsibility to carry that legacy forward with pride. With every piece I hand over, I ask myself, "Is this a piece they would feel proud to present?" That question continues to guide everything I create. 

Before launching your own label, you held senior roles with Tiffany & Co., Bvlgari, and Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen. What lessons from those Maisons still influence you today? 

Each shared a bold, distinctive design language and a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. I still return to the catalogues I collected during my time with them for inspiration, particularly the seamless mechanisms and beautifully considered reverse details that speak volumes about quality. But perhaps the greatest lesson was in clienteling. Every client was treated as though they were investing in a piece of High Jewellery, because every piece, regardless of monetary value, holds priceless sentimental worth to the person who wears it. 

How do you transform a client's story into a jewel designed to last generations? 

My first goal is to put clients at ease and find a genuine point of connection. From there, I take a holistic approach, considering their existing collection and how a new piece will complement it. A new jewel should never render another obsolete; it should add a meaningful chapter to their story. 

Why is preserving artisanal, hand-drawn techniques so important to you in an age of mass production? 

Coming from a manufacturing and design background, I understand how these analogue techniques shape the final result. The time and skill invested in every piece is what makes it worthy of becoming an heirloom. It limits scalability but keeps me focused on forming genuine connections with the people who entrust me with their stories.

What do you hope people feel when wearing your pieces, today and decades from now? 

Some of my favourite consultations involve multiple generations, a grandmother, mother and daughter, reimagining a family heirloom for a milestone birthday. Along the way, we often uncover hallmarks, engravings or handwritten notes hidden for decades. My hope is that my own pieces evoke that same connection and continuity, becoming part of a family's history. 

LEARN MORE: https://www.monikaruggerino.com/