What is Filigree?

Portuguese Filigree is today an important part of Portuguese jewelry. It is a technique and an art form that, through a delicate union of wires and balls made on silver or gold, creates beautiful patterns in the manufacture of filigree jewelry with great precision and using manual tools and the use of heat. It is often referred to as Viana Filigree (Filigrana de Viana) because it is widely used to complement the regional costumes of girls and ladies in the region and today it is produced in the north of Portugal by artisans who have completed a long apprenticeship over many years.

It is much appreciated in Portugal and throughout the world for the delicacy and beauty of its pieces and the international recognition came mainly from the Heart of Viana Pendant (Coração de Viana), as it was used by Sharon Stone, at the time one of the world cinema stars.

There are several types of jewelry produced in Filigree and Pendants are some of the most used and appreciated.

There are Pendants of various shapes and sizes, some more traditional, others more modern, but all very beautiful and delicate.

The best known and most used filigree pendants are the Viana Heart Pendant (Coração de Viana) in countless variations, the Caramujo Pendants and the Portuguese Tile (Azulejo) Pendants, made in silver or gold, in silver or gold tones and often mixed with blue and red.