Footnotes

• VALENTIN MAGRO
  Valentin Magro, artist and designer, is renowned for creating
  distinctive jewels for his private patrons. His creations, while each
  unique, share his signature elements; the harmonious relationship
  of color, nature, and balance, typically whimsical and bold, they
  intentionally reflect the personality and lifestyle of the wearer.
  Born on Malta, Magro immigrated to the United States at eighteen,
  to study architectural and structural engineering. Innately interested
  in spatial relationships, and skilled draftsman, he was afflicted with
  wanderlust, which caused him to change his direction and become
  what he is today, a designer, master jeweler, and an artist. Eventually
  settling in New York, and working for the venerable houses of Tiffany
  & Company, David Webb and Harry Winston, he honed his craft
  manufacturing high-end jewelry to an art. Today, he designs and
  manufactures his own creations. Typically working hand in hand with
  a patron he starts by offering several design ideas, making seven or
  eight drawings displaying various adaptations of a theme. Then they
  narrow down the selection to three drawings. From there, the stones
  and metals are chosen; undoubtedly color, saturation, liveliness, shape
  and size are of utmost importance. Once these details are finalized, a
  model is created and examined for perfection. Balance and harmony
  are vital to all Magro's creations, as is the meticulous setting, polishing
  and intricate bench work utilized in the final work.
  The three designs on this page all display the predisposition
  towards a whimsical nature theme, each created for client and
  friend, Joy Bogen, the famous Metropolitan Opera soprano. Magro
  was successful in capturing her fondness for snakes in this large
  voluptuous bangle. For this commission, it took several months to
  create the perfect balance of black and white space of the snake's
  skin, as well as an elaborately engineered hinged band. The
  adorable and life sized mahogany frog brooch needed additional
  brilliance to reflect the lifestyle of Ms. Bogen, so Magro speckled the
  reptile body with numerous diamonds emulating water droplets. To
  the opal fish brooch, Bogen was attracted to Magro's amusing paveset
  starfish and golden pearl nestled amidst lush reef life.
  These remarkable creations, which are so inimically and unmistakably
  Magro, are beautifully and thoughtfully crafted. They are bold,
  individual and fanciful jewels which exemplify the genius of an artist.