Miner's Spirit - 2nd place at IOJDAA
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Opalia creations can be defined as intense and flamboyant, not only because we continuously jet set around the world in search for refinement, also due to the fact that during the course of our trips we experiment many forms of expression: cinema, theatre, music, sculpture and last but not least, Sculptural Jewellery.
We study carefully one medium at a time, discovering all of its secrets and features. Experimentation and research of different materials during our career are valid of exposure; rosewood, ebony, silicon, ivory, silver, coral and many variations of precious metals and gems. The resulting objets d'art are jewels that give the impression of a miniature universe; an “alloy” that is home to original artifacts inspired from various backgrounds and from different parts of the world, as showcased by “The Rhyton”. A blend of different techniques where our admiration for art design of the past, all that is ancient or even primordial reflected through our creations. Then the revelation: Black opal. The most precious type of this gemstone, so rare and so spectacular, is found in Australia in the famous deposits of Lightning Ridge in northern New South Wales. It is here we select the most beautiful pieces and it is no coincidence that in 2001 Paolo Labianco owner of Opalia won the second prize in the Opal Jewellery Design Awards Association, the world's most important competition of jewelry designers reserved to opals; with his sculptural jewel titled “miner’s spirit”. |
Who We Are
Paolo Labianco is an "uncatchable" artist, not only because he is always traveling around the world, but also because in the course of his life has experienced multiple forms of expression: cinema, theater, jazz, sculpture and jewelry.
Thirty years ago the master goldsmith began his jewellery activities in Italy focusing in an almost manic way on one product at a time, of which he deeply explores the secrets and characteristics; we have so many different periods in Greeks lands: such as rosewood, ebony, silicon, silver, gold and diamonds.
Then the Australian revelation: the black opal. The most precious variety of this precious gem, rarest than the diamond, found in Australia in the famous deposits of Lightning Ridge, in northern New South Wales, and it is here that LaBianco selected the most beautiful pieces, freeing them from the rock that has imprisoned them for millennia.
Finding the right stone is not enough. We must know how to making it "shine" , and Paolo knows the value like few. No coincidence that in 2001 won the second prize at Opal Jewellery Design Awards Association, the world's largest design competition in opal jewelry.
Paolo LaBianco proves to know the great historical tradition of art jewelry, combining a taste and uncommon sensitivity to the models of the past and all that is ancient or even primordial with the ability to use techniques, forms and materials avant-garde , concepts which -last but not least- only a special and eclectic place like Malta could ever understand.
Resulting composite masterpieces that are home to unique objets d'art from different backgrounds and from different parts of the world, as evidenced by "The rhyton". This cornucopia recalls the ancient jugs of the Nordic peoples and their faith, that spread throughout the Middle Ages, the healing power of precious stones of which this cup is full: with its horn silver coated, pure gold leaf and seven raw gems: diamond, Afghan lapislazzuli, stripped agate, pyrite, imperial topaz, Colombian emerald and amethyst.
Filippo Maria Pagliano
Thirty years ago the master goldsmith began his jewellery activities in Italy focusing in an almost manic way on one product at a time, of which he deeply explores the secrets and characteristics; we have so many different periods in Greeks lands: such as rosewood, ebony, silicon, silver, gold and diamonds.
Then the Australian revelation: the black opal. The most precious variety of this precious gem, rarest than the diamond, found in Australia in the famous deposits of Lightning Ridge, in northern New South Wales, and it is here that LaBianco selected the most beautiful pieces, freeing them from the rock that has imprisoned them for millennia.
Finding the right stone is not enough. We must know how to making it "shine" , and Paolo knows the value like few. No coincidence that in 2001 won the second prize at Opal Jewellery Design Awards Association, the world's largest design competition in opal jewelry.
Paolo LaBianco proves to know the great historical tradition of art jewelry, combining a taste and uncommon sensitivity to the models of the past and all that is ancient or even primordial with the ability to use techniques, forms and materials avant-garde , concepts which -last but not least- only a special and eclectic place like Malta could ever understand.
Resulting composite masterpieces that are home to unique objets d'art from different backgrounds and from different parts of the world, as evidenced by "The rhyton". This cornucopia recalls the ancient jugs of the Nordic peoples and their faith, that spread throughout the Middle Ages, the healing power of precious stones of which this cup is full: with its horn silver coated, pure gold leaf and seven raw gems: diamond, Afghan lapislazzuli, stripped agate, pyrite, imperial topaz, Colombian emerald and amethyst.
Filippo Maria Pagliano
