text Mariangela Rossi
Bespoke jewellery
Marco Torracchi studied art and specialised in gemmology, and has an atelier and shop in Prato
How has Florence and being Tuscan influenced your career?
I owe a lot to the Etruscans, a people who knew how to love beautiful things. I draw ideas from them for one of my most often-requested techniques, granulation, which gives an aged look to the piece.
What does beauty mean to you?
It’s attention to detail, dedication and constant research into style; but its also a legacy of skills and the joy of making something which will be handed down. I open my workshop to visitors on request and I work with the Liceo Artistico Petrocchi in Pistoia, offering placements for their students.
Are bespoke pieces of jewellery small works of art?
I often make bespoke pieces and, as a jewellery designer and consultant gemmologist, I create personalised items for my existing clientele, but also for tourists who are staying in Florence.
What do you love about Florence?
Its Renaissance, an explosion of joy for our sector and many others. Cellini, Brunelleschi, Leonardo: basically they were all artisans and artistic masters. One of my favourite places is Palazzo Medici Riccardi, with its iconic architecture, frescoes by Gozzoli, bossage on the facade and its courtyard full of medallions and capitals. I’m glad they’re relaunching it, because it’s one of the city’s crowning glories.
