L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 16 L'Italo-Americano T h e h i s t o r y o f Damiani, one of I t a l y ' s m o s t renowned jewel- ry houses, began in 1924 in Valenza, a small P i e d m o n t e s e t o w n w i t h a long-standing tradition of goldsmithing. Founded by Enrico Grassi Damiani, a talented artisan with a passion for creating refined and inno- v a t i v e d e s i g n s , t h e b r a n d quickly gained attention for its exceptional craftsmanship. Enrico's pieces were sought after by Italy's élite, including aristocrats and prominent families, setting the founda- tion for what would become a symbol of Italian luxury and elegance. From the beginning, Dami- ani has been a balance of tra- dition and modernity; still today, the brand stays true to age-old Italian goldsmithing techniques while embracing new technologies and cutting- edge design. Thanks to this, Damiani's work has earned international acclaim over the decades, including several Diamonds International Awards, a prestigious recog- nition in the world of fine jew- elry. Damiani's collections range from engagement rings and wedding bands to intricate necklaces, bracelets, and ear- rings. Diamonds are at the heart of its designs, carefully selected and arranged to max- imize brilliance; in fact, the c o m p a n y i s k n o w n f o r i t s innovative use of pavé set- tings, as well as its incorpora- tion of sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and pearls. Pieces are typically crafted in gold or platinum, creating an eclectic range of timeless yet versatile designs. Collections like Belle Époque mirror the romance of past eras, while others like M i m o s a s h o w n a t u r e - inspired motifs with a con- temporary twist, a sign of the company's ability to cater to b o t h c l a s s i c a n d m o d e r n tastes. The brand's global pres- ence has grown significantly over the years: flagship stores can be found in fashion capi- tals like Milan, Paris, New York, and Tokyo, as well as in cities across the Middle East and Asia, while Damiani's red-carpet appearances have bolstered its reputation, with H o l l y w o o d i c o n s s u c h a s Sophia Loren and Sharon Stone wearing Damiani cre- ations in more than one occa- sion. The company's commit- ment to excellence is reflected not only in its craftsmanship but also in its financial per- formance. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, the company reported consolidat- ed revenues exceeding €300 million (around 315 million USD), marking a double-digit increase from the previous year. This growth reflects the b r a n d ' s e x p a n d i n g g l o b a l presence and, of course, the enduring appeal of its cre- ations. If you are thinking of splurging on a Damiani piece, you may be happy to know that their jewelry comes with a variety of price tags, with some items available for a few thousand dollars, while more extravagant designs fea- turing rare gemstones com- mand prices well into six fig- ures. Family is a key part of Damiani's identity. Now in its third generation, the company remains under the leadership of the Damiani family, ensur- ing that its original values of craftsmanship and authentici- ty endure. This continuity has allowed the brand to maintain a distinct personality while a d a p t i n g t o t h e c h a n g i n g tastes of its clientele. Sustainability and ethi- cal sourcing are also inte- gral to the company's opera- tions: for instance, the brand is committed to using con- f l i c t - f r e e d i a m o n d s a n d responsibly sourced materi- als, supporting industry-wide efforts toward greater trans- parency. This sense of respon- sibility is especially important today, with more and more people paying attention to the origin of what they buy and valuing ethical luxury. Curiously, Damiani has also been among the first jew- elers to engrave personal mes- s a g e s i n s i d e e n g a g e m e n t r i n g s , a t h o u g h t f u l d e t a i l reflecting the brand's philoso- phy that jewelry should carry meaning and celebrate life's most important moments. A s m a l l t o u c h , y e s , b u t o n e that clients appreciate. The story of Damiani is a q u i n t e s s e n t i a l t a l e o f o u r Made in Italy: what began as a small workshop in northern Italy is now a global ambas- sador of Italian creativity and excellence, able to delight those who appreciate beauty, c r a f t s m a n s h i p , a n d t h e enduring appeal of timeless d e s i g n . I t d o e s n ' t m a t t e r where you are or where you see its creations, Damiani remains a symbol of elegance and excellence. T h e i n v e n t i o n o f the modern cof- fee machine is credited to Ange- lo Moriondo, an Italian entrepreneur from Turin, who patented the first steam-powered device for brewing coffee in 1884. This revolutionary machine laid the foundation for the espres- so machines we know today. A n g e l o M o r i o n d o c a m e from a family of innovators a n d e n t r e p r e n e u r s . H i s grandfather founded a suc- cessful liquor company, and h i s f a t h e r e s t a b l i s h e d t h e Moriondo and Gariglio chocolate company, which later became Caffarel. Build- ing on this heritage of innova- tion, Angelo turned his atten- tion to coffee, recognizing the need for a faster method of brewing to meet the demands of busy cafés. At the time, cof- fee preparation was slow, typ- ically relying on boiling water poured over grounds, which could take several minutes per cup. Moriondo's inven- t i o n a i m e d t o m a k e t h e process quicker and more efficient, providing café own- ers with a way to serve more customers in less time. The patent for Moriondo's machine, titled "New Steam Machinery for the Economic and Instantaneous Confection of Coffee Beverage," was reg- istered on May 16, 1884, in Turin. His machine used a combination of steam and boiling water to brew coffee faster than traditional meth- ods. The device featured a boiler that pushed pressurized steam through coffee grounds, as well as a separate system for hot water to control the brewing process. This innova- tive approach allowed for the e x t r a c t i o n o f c o f f e e w i t h greater speed and efficiency, p r o d u c i n g a s t r o n g e r a n d more concentrated beverage. Unlike today's espresso machines, which evolved from his design, Moriondo's inven- tion was not mass-produced or widely distributed. Instead, he focused on showcasing his machine at events, such as the General Expo of Turin in 1884, where it won a bronze medal. Despite its potential, the machine remained a local marvel rather than a global phenomenon during Moriondo's time. It wasn't until the early 20th century, with the work of inventors like Luigi Bezzera and Desiderio Pavoni, that espresso machines were com- mercialized and refined, lead- ing to their widespread use. N e v e r t h e l e s s , M o r i o n d o ' s invention is recognized as the first step toward the modern espresso machine, a corner- stone of coffee culture today. Left, Angelo Moriondo (The original file comes from the living grandson of the inven- tor, Dr. Angelo Moriondo. Wikicommons. Public Domain). Right, the coffee machine he created (Angelo Moriondo's shop - The original file comes from an ancient bill acquired by Sebastien L. Delprat (aka Pootoogoo). Wikicommons. CC BY-SA 4.0) A n g e l o M o r i o n d o a n d t h e revolution of coffee brewing Damiani: a century of Italian excellence in fine jewelry IMPRESA ITALIA MADE IN ITALY TOP BRANDS BUSINESS & ECONOMY The sleek window of a Damiani store (Photo: Nicoleta Raluca Tudor/Dreamstime)

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