The energy of gemstones can affect your mood, according to Bvlgari’s Lucia Silvestri

RP: Do you believe there is a subtle difference between the results when men, like Mr. Bulgari, for example, design for women and when women do it?

LS: All three Bulgari brothers loved women and they put a lot of that into the jewellery they created. The difference between us is that I can try on the pieces. I have to create something that is beautiful and grand, but also comfortable enough to wear from day to night. Mr. Bulgari created for beauty, as do I, but also for wearability.

RP: I suppose that also in influences your creative process.

LS: The process is more or less the same. My inspiration comes from the gems I find when I’m travelling to Jaipur, New York or Bangkok. I have a real connection with them. I take some sketches or photos of them, and when I go back to Italy, we come together as a unit to design the collection. We’re a close knit team of 12 (with only one man) and we discuss ideas, the colour of the metal, how many diamonds to use, why I want pink instead of yellow, and what inspires me.

When I’m designing, I play loud music and sing along. I feel happy to be around nature because I cannot forget that gems are a gift of nature as well.

RP: In India, we are quite superstitious about gemstones. Do you believe that certain gemstones have an emotional effect on the wearer?

LS: For me, all gems have positive energy, but it depends on my mood. When I am anxious, I hold a cabochon amethyst in my hands. Its soft and sensual cut calms me down. When I have to do something creative, I play with sapphires. I hope you can come to my office one day. You will feel the energy in that room.

RP: Do you have a favourite gem?

LS: Even though I love spinels, mandarin garnets and emeralds, my favourite is the sapphire. When I began working for Bvlgari, I was given a huge pack of coloured sapphires. At the time, I thought they only came in blue. The stone represents my personality because, from the outside, I might appear to be one colour, but in reality, I’m full of different shades.