Massimiliano Arriga D.I.

General presentation

Massimiliano Arriga

Born in Rome in 1965, I grew up under my father’s workbench. My father, Arrigo Arriga, began working as a goldsmith in Rome in 1946.

After completing primary school, in 1982 I started working in a workshop as a gem setter. Following my training, I established my own activity, collaborating with both local and international jewellers.

After a few years, seeking greater creative satisfaction and not feeling fully aligned with the design of the pieces I was working on, I opened my current shop in Piazza Capranica, near the Pantheon in Rome.

Here, I design, create, and model my own vision and style, crafting one-of-a-kind, unique pieces.

Discover more about my story and creative journey in the full interview!

Massimiliano Arriga

Né à Rome en 1965, j’ai grandi sous l’établi de mon père. Mon père, Arrigo Arriga, a commencé à travailler comme orfèvre à Rome en 1946.

Après avoir terminé l’école primaire, en 1982, j’ai commencé à travailler dans un atelier comme sertisseur. Après ma formation, j’ai lancé mon activité, en collaborant avec des joailliers locaux et internationaux.

Après quelques années, en quête d’une plus grande satisfaction créative et ne me sentant pas totalement en accord avec le design des pièces sur lesquelles je travaillais, j’ai ouvert ma boutique actuelle Piazza Capranica, près du Panthéon à Rome.

Aujourd’hui, je conçois, crée et façonne ma propre vision et mon style, en réalisant des pièces uniques.

Découvrez-en plus sur mon histoire et mon parcours créatif dans l’interview complète!

Massimiliano Arriga

Nacido en Roma en 1965, crecí bajo el banco de trabajo de mi padre. Mi padre, Arrigo Arriga, comenzó a trabajar como orfebre en Roma en 1946.

Después de completar la escuela primaria, en 1982 empecé a trabajar en un taller como engastador de piedras preciosas. Tras mi formación, inicié mi propia actividad, colaborando con joyeros locales e internacionales.

Después de algunos años, en busca de una mayor satisfacción creativa y sin sentirme plenamente alineado con el diseño de las piezas en las que trabajaba, abrí mi actual tienda en Piazza Capranica, cerca del Panteón en Roma.

Aquí diseño, creo y doy forma a mi propia visión y estilo, elaborando piezas únicas e irrepetibles.

Descubre más sobre mi historia y mi trayectoria creativa en la entrevista completa!

Massimiliano Arriga

Nato a Roma nel 1965, sono cresciuto sotto il banco da lavoro di mio padre. Mio padre, Arrigo Arriga, ha iniziato a lavorare come orafo a Roma nel 1946.

Dopo aver completato la scuola primaria, nel 1982 ho iniziato a lavorare in un laboratorio come incastonatore di pietre preziose. Terminata la mia formazione, ho avviato la mia attività, collaborando con gioiellieri locali e internazionali.

Dopo alcuni anni, alla ricerca di una maggiore soddisfazione creativa e non sentendomi pienamente in sintonia con il design dei gioielli su cui lavoravo, ho aperto il mio attuale negozio in Piazza Capranica, vicino al Pantheon a Roma.

Qui progetto, creo e modello la mia visione e il mio stile, realizzando pezzi unici e irripetibili.

Scopri di più sulla mia storia e sul mio percorso creativo nell’intervista completa.

Materials

Location

Piazza Capranica 93/a
00186 Roma
Italy

Can you describe your profession, your finished products, and your areas of specialization?
I imagine, design, create, and finish one-of-a-kind pieces of jewellery, as well as objects and accessories. I personally set all the stones, sculpt and melt wax, and engrave and model metals and wood.

What materials do you use in your work?
I work with gold, silver, platinum, titanium, steel, wood, perspex, and a wide range of precious and semi-precious stones.

Can you describe your craftsmanship: techniques, tools, and materials?
Once I take hold of my tools, I begin by selecting and working with the stones, matching them according to my vision. Using my burin, I engrave the wax, which is then melted and transformed into metal. Finally, I set the stones and complete the piece with polishing.

What is the typical profile of your clientele?
My clients do not seek conformity. They do not follow mainstream models, but wish to stand out through their personality and style.

At what age and under what circumstances did you begin this profession?
I grew up around my father’s workbench, Arrigo Arriga, a Roman goldsmith. At the age of five, in his atelier, I began experimenting: breaking tools, shaping metals, and learning to match the colours of precious stones.

Where and for how long were you trained before starting your own activity? Do you think formal education or apprenticeship is more important today?
After school, I spent all my time in the world of jewellery. At 17, I began my apprenticeship as a gem setter and engraver in one of the most important craft workshops in Rome. At 23, I started working independently. I strongly believe that the best way to learn any art is through direct experience in a workshop.

What role do talent and creativity play in your profession?
Creativity, quality, and uniqueness: these are the key elements around which my work revolves.

What role does innovation play in your work?
I am constantly searching for new tools and materials. However, working with bespoke jewellery, I tend to keep a certain distance from marketing. For me, innovation lies primarily in the making process and in the materials.

What is the best way to learn this profession today?
In a workshop, through direct experience.

What is your message for younger generations?
If it is true love, always follow your instinct. Never stop believing in your passion.