Bargain Stopper

Italy has long been a center for designer jewelry. The tradition of jewelry making is as old, if not older than the ancient Etruscans, the civilization on the Italian peninsula that predated that of the Romans. In the dark ages until after the unification of the Italian states in the 19th Century, Roman Catholic clergy were a surprisingly supportive patron of jewelers as were the nobles that controlled Italian states. Italian jewelers were even commissioned to make designer jewelry for patrons as far away as the Americas. The tradition continues today and is more vibrant than ever.