This episode is brought to you by Fully Gemstones.

Every piece is handmade, every piece is unique.

We don't repeat things, you know, even if it's another snake ring, it's slightly different.

We don't use moulds, we don't mass produce. We don't

use factories. I mean, that's going to stay. I'm Carol Horton, the voice of jewelry. Welcome to

If Jewels Could Talk. I'm an author and broadcaster and the woman who initiated the role

of jewelry editor at magazines like

Tatler and Vogue. This is a podcast for everyone, for people who do like jewelry, for people

who don't realize they like jewelry, and anyone intrigued by fascinating facts, new ideas and forgotten

histories. So join me as I tell sparkly tales and meet all sorts of people,

delving into four centuries of jewelry culture,

and investigate what's happening now.

I'm in Venice.

I am inside the bedouledeled time capsule of Cordonato in Venice, the official goldsmith to the Basilica of San Marco, who've welcomed cognizante and collectors since 1867.

Through the jeweled doors have walked Queen Victoria, great artists such as Renoir Manet

and Whistler, Diane of Rieland, Coco Chanel, of course Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Ernest Hemingway,

Orson Wells, Nicole Kidman, Tom Ford, I mean, basically the stylish of each generation, seeking Italian goldsmithing, theatrical design and ancient gemstones have made a pilgrimage to the store. But things are changing. Following the death, aged 86 of the fourth generation, Atilio Cordonato, Jula, Francesca, Antphitheatrov is now joining the dynasty as head of creative.

Francesca, congratulations. Thank you so much, Carol. So lovely to be here with you.

Your new role, as if you don't have enough to do as creative director of Louis Vuitton.

Correct. But so tell me how this collaboration began.

Well, I have known Mario Colognauto for decades.

We were students in London, and I first met Atilio outside Mario's first exhibition that he ever

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