Afrodis by Riccardo Vitale: Architecture of Light
Riccardo Vitale, founder and designer of the brand Afrodis, talks about the brand's bond with gemstones, with a focus on pink tourmaline, that can reveal itself in extraordinary forms
To enhance the beauty and unique characteristics of a gemstone, preserving its power and energy: these are the intentions of gemmologist, designer and jeweler, Riccardo Vitale, who has chosen to transform his great passion into an exclusive high jewelry brand: Afrodis. «The name Afrodis pays tribute to Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and sensuality. Also in Greek, the term means sparkling: it expresses the type of jewelry I create, designed solely for women, brilliant and colorful,» he explains. «The gem, or a combination of gems, is the inspiration for each piece of jewelry: respecting its essence, vibration and character is fundamental.» An approach that combines expertise, sensitivity and dedication. «Each gemstone is unique, often special. Some stones are quite common, others really beautiful, sometimes extraordinary, with intense and fascinating shades of color within, and cuts that allow the light to reveal unique polychromatic variations. Selection is a matter of knowledge and discernment, requiring sensitivity and professionalism.» Sometimes the customer chooses the stone, guided by their own feelings; other times, it is the stone itself that suggests the shape and style of the jewelry, as in the case of the Semicupola ring. «A creation featuring a pink tourmaline cabochon with a cat's eye effect, an optical phenomenon that creates a clear line of light along the surface of the stone. The jewel’s architecture echoes and amplifies this trajectory: a deep central slit runs through the ring, almost dividing it, allowing the line of light to continue its path beyond the gem. The shape becomes an extension of the optical illusion, the metal accompanies the light, the structure supports and enhances what nature has generated.» This intimate relationship between material and creativity reflects Afrodis by Riccardo Vitale Jewelry's design philosophy: a process that begins by listening to the stone and translates into a tangible, magnetic form.
