IN CONVERSATION WITH GIORGIA TASCA | AMÀLGAMA JEWELS

Let’s immerse in the enchanting dimension of Amàlgama Jewels, a visionary beacon of independent contemporary jewelry that transcends the boundaries of tradition and expectation. With meticulous attention to detail and a profound commitment to artistry, each creation from Amàlgama Jewels is a testament to the divine marriage of craftsmanship and narrative.

Giorgia Tasca, an Italian-American designer and artist, has made her home in the vibrant setting of Vicenza, Italy, where her creative spirit finds its muse. Her journey began with a foundation in classical studies, paving the way for her to delve into the realm of fashion design at the esteemed Iuav University of Venice. It was here that she discovered the profound truth that design’s enduring power lies not only in its aesthetics but in the depth of emotion and meaning it conveys. Following a fruitful career as a versatile designer and trend forecaster, Giorgia felt a stirring within her soul—a yearning to create something uniquely hers, something unbound by constraints and untainted by compromise. Thus, from this wellspring of passion and authenticity, Amàlgama was born.

Amàlgama is more than a mere name; it is a concept, a fusion of elements, a blend of influences. Drawing upon the alchemical symbolism of metal amalgamation, Giorgia infuses each creation with a sense of unity and transformation. Her jewelry reflects a bold juxtaposition of precise design and instinctual intuition, translating ethereal thoughts and sensations into tangible forms.

Each of Giorgia’s jewels is a labor of love, hand-carved and meticulously crafted using the lost wax casting technique. This bespoke approach ensures that every piece is a one-of-a-kind treasure, bearing the imprint of the artist’s vision and spirit. The resulting aesthetic is a harmonious blend of organic textures, tactile allure, and daring expressions that speak volumes without uttering a word.

IN CONVERSATION WITH GIORGIA TASCA

Tell us a little bit about your background and when was your first approach to jewelry design? 

I must confess that my encounter with the world of jewelry was purely accidental. 

After high school I took the admission test to apply for architecture at IUAV in Venice and casually ended up trying out for the new fashion design faculty. I scored one of the highest grades, so, as the fatalist I am, I took it as a sign and enrolled. I always loved how fashion is about everything but covering up a body, so during my time at IUAV, besides designing and sewing clothes, I did research in semiotics, sociology, fashion history, and economics. This is something I can’t stop doing even today, so much of what happens in fashion is all about what is going on in culture, politics, economics…  Following this passion after I got my degree I consulted as a trend researcher and trend forecaster and one of my clients was a jewelry studio where I started consulting for design as well, some of the brands I worked for are Elle Watches, Etro, Disney Dubai, JLo Jewelry. 

I now work as a creative director for fine jewelry in luxury markets, but the personal expression and space I have with my own brand is an addiction to me, something completely necessary for me to create dialogue with my own identity, to process my thoughts, feelings and beliefs. I bring them to life through jewelry and I have the amazing opportunity to share and pass on these messages to the women and men that identify in the stories I tell.

Who have been your biggest mentors in this industry and what is the best advice they have ever given you?

This is a difficult question because creating your own brand is something that involves an incredible number of different areas of expertise. So many encounters in my life have helped drive me towards who I wanted to be and represent and, at times, who I knew I didn’t want to be.

Today, I would say the most important thing I’ve learned is that solid things are built from the ground up and I believe solidity only exists when you can proudly stand behind what you create and what you represent.  In an income driven world, focusing on numbers or considering people only for what they can do for you unfortunately happens way too often. Help people even if does nothing for you, go that extra mile to be someone people can be inspired by, learn from, share with. It’s not about business and product but about the possibility of creating an amazing community of shared values. 

What was your biggest fear when starting Amàlgama Jewels?

When I realized that Amàlgama Jewels was what I wanted to do in life – and this didn’t happen as soon as I started creating my jewelry – I think the biggest fear was that this project, this “thing” I was about to share, was going to be all about me. 

I’m a private person and because of the creative process I follow – which is tailored to what I selfishly need from it – these jewels are the physical representation of my emotions, experiences and beliefs.  Putting them out there was something that I feared because I was exposing something very intimate and personal for everyone to see and judge.  It took me a while before I felt comfortable allowing myself to be so vulnerable, I don’t think I ever will be completely, to be honest. But when I do and the public loves my jewels and perceives what I convey through them, this becomes a unique connection, a dialogue, that would otherwise never be possible. 

What is the most challenging issue as an independent designer?

In my case I would say it’s hands down the “one man show” aspect of the business. I think the toughest thing is the fact that I find myself constantly juggling all the different roles I cover from creative, to finance, to marketing and customer service. This takes time and energy away from the creative part, so it becomes a challenge to stay focused on developing my collections and to find the time to research and nurture new ideas.

How would you define a ‘long-lasting’ craft jewel?

To answer this question I will go back to what I was saying earlier about fashion being about everything but covering the body, at least to me. 

Jewels, like clothes, are all about creating a silent dialogue both with yourself and the people around you. This is why for a jewel, but almost any possession if you think about it, to be long lasting it needs to be something that you connect with, that represents something for you or that has an emotional value. A friend of mine has a ring from a collection called “Coronata” which symbolized the power that comes from letting yourself be vulnerable and open. She once told me that every time she wears this ring, it works like a talisman for her and it makes her feel strong and fearless. And who wouldn’t like a feeling like this to be long lasting!

What are some of the materials you use in your jewellery collection?

The metal I use for my jewels is mostly bronze. I like to transform and finish it differently in each collection so that it looks like a different material.  My favorite stones are dendritic agates and jaspers, this is because every single one of these stones has a unique design and pattern and this adds to the jewels that are all modelled and engraved by hand without using molds, which makes each of them unique and unrepeatable.

There is one important person in your life, who pushes and motivates you to believe in yourself?

I consider myself to be extremely lucky because I don’t have just one person that motivates me. My family, friends and the girls I share my atelier with are all equally part of a fundamental support system. They are an incredible group of people that stimulate, challenge and encourage me all the time. I’d also add, I work extremely hard for what I do and I think, I’d like to give myself a small note of appreciation for what I’ve achieved. 

How do you manage to connect with your customers and what kind of actions are you taking for this?

Easily enough I always make sure to create a dialogue when my clients or the public in general contact me. I value what they have to say will never open and just double tap a DM. It’s always hard to see how what you’re doing is perceived from the outside and talking about a project with someone that took the time to contact you about it is a precious opportunity. During fairs and exhibitions, I explain my collections to every single person that stops by. As the concept is such an important part in my jewelry, I think it’s fundamental that they know everything about it, not just what it looks like. 

I also always ask them to share photos with me when they receive the jewels I ship them cause I want to know how they look in their new home.

Are there any jewelry designers from the past that you appreciate a lot?

Elsa Schiaparelli, always. She was an icon for me when I studied fashion design and the details she put into her clothes and the jewels she designed with Dalì were revolutionary. 

I believe the maison’s work with jewelry after the arrival of Rosenberry a few years back is again today one of the most interesting interpretations I’ve seen in a long time. But then again, surrealism has always one of my favorite movements in the field of applied arts. 

How do you think your brand can play an important role in your daily client’s life? Describe your typical client’s personality in a few words.

I don’t have a specific age target, but my clients are mostly women that usually buy jewelry for themselves or as a carefully chosen gift. They are independent and attentive to the intrinsic value of what they choose to wear and the message it conveys. As I said earlier, I think my jewelry has this effect to them, it’s a talisman that makes them feel empowered. 

Who would you most like see wearing your jewelry? Name us a few icons you would like to collaborate with. 

There are so many women I admire and would love to work with! I guess to name a few from different backgrounds I’d say Amanda Gorman, Solange Knowles, Florence Pugh or Julia Sarr-Jamois.

What would you write in a letter to your future self?

I hope you are as brave and as bold as you are today. 

Never stop looking for the next step, the ideal of success often blinds true values. Never stop being curious, find new ways to nourish and express your unique creativity. Be kind to you and others and find your place in the world through staying true to yourself and connecting with other people.

For more, visit https://amalgamajewels.com