People of Puglia: Massimiliano Martino

In 1968, the Martino family applied their longstanding experience and know-how in watchmaking to enter the jewelry sector, a move that paved the way for the opening of their first jewelry boutique in Bari. The dream? To dedicate time and attention to handcrafting classically designed products and locally-sourced ornaments. VIA Contributor Izzah Kazi speaks to Massimiliano Martino to learn how far a diamond can really go.

Today, the Martino Diamanti brand is more than a company, it is a family legacy with more than 50 years of operation. Ideation, dedication, and sophistication awakened the timeless creations of the brand and formed the foundation of the Maison which ultimately led to the present day where the lead designer and director of the company, Massimiliano Martino, curates the company’s jewelry collection as well as its expansion plans beyond Puglia.

Martino immersed himself in the world of gemstones since childhood. He began working and discovering the secrets of his family trade when he was 18 years old as he learned to value and appreciate the business at a young age. He first inaugurated the Martino Diamanti showroom in Bari in 2017, with the dream to express complete transparency and magnificence to his customers, values he cares deeply about. The jewel gallery, designed to convey serenity and solace, invites clients to engage in an exclusive shopping extravaganza, always offering the finest in gemology expertise, glamour, and high-end design. Recently, Martino launched his personal brand ‘Martino Be Brilliant’ to mold his own self-identity, keeping in line with Martino Diamanti’s refined and traditional aesthetic while bringing a more contemporary and artistic touch to the designs to meet the desiderata of newer generations.

What is the most treasured item in your jewelry collection?
No doubt, the Cosmodrome Collection: curly rings that go beyond the aesthetic decoration, which arise from the awareness of the women that wear them and emphasize the seductive side of the personality. Power is the first word that comes to mind when looking at these jewels.

What is your workspace like?
In my office, I really wanted two specific elements: one table made of olive wood as it represents my origins, and one goldsmith table from the early 900 as it is a unique work tool of craftsmanship.

Where do you best create?
There is no one well-defined physical space, everything that I live in every moment of my daily life is an inspiration for my creativity. Each new encounter can become the seed of a collection.

How does sustainability fit into your designs?
We create collections from ethical resources, perfectly traceable and transparent certified raw materials produced through processes with low environmental and human impact.

If you were to describe your designs in five words, what would they be?
Bold, Glamorous, Brilliant, Original, Fashionable.

I want to leave every woman free to choose to be herself, unique.

What’s the most treasured item in your wardrobe?
A kilt!

Who would you most like to see wearing your designs?

I would like to see the Italian actress Matilda De Angelis wearing my jewels.

How many shops do you have in Italy or abroad?
Currently, I have one shop in the city of Bari, Italy. Although we’re not present abroad yet, we’re working for 2022 on an internalization project, which foresees our presence at the International Jewellery Fair Vicenzaoro and the implementation of an e-commerce site.