If your summer travels should take you to Florence, Italy, this summer, you may be greeted by a familiar face on the famed Ponte Vecchio: New York City–based jewelry designer Temple St. Clair has opened a boutique there in a noble effort to help restore the iconic landmark’s former glory as a nexus of elegant high jewelry and antiquarian shops.
St. Clair has a deep connection to Florence and its master artists and goldsmiths, a relationship that goes back more than 30 years. She first came to the Renaissance city as a student, lived there for more than a decade, and frequently travels there for work. In fact, she is one of few jewelers who continue to partner with Florentine craftsmen on the production of her line.
Window display at Temple St. Clair Firenze
The interiors reflect St. Clair’s vision of a space that would fuse the old with the new. To bring it to life, she collaborated with Italian architects Daniele Desli and Elisabeth Piccione. Done in a palette of blue and celadon green to highlight a spectacular view of the Arno river framed by Tuscan hills, the intimate space is decorated with St. Clair’s watercolor artwork. Florentine artisans specializing in marble, bronze, wood, paper, and textiles were commissioned to refine every last component, from marble side tables to the cast-bronze door handles and drawer pulls.
Clients can try on jewelry seated at an antique leather-top writing desk; the chairs are upholstered in Fortuny’s majestic Mazzarino pattern.
Elegant state-of-the-art crystal vitrines showcase St. Clair’s jewels, including those highlighted below.
Athena owl ring with tanzanite, royal-blue moonstones, emeralds, star sapphires, and diamonds in 18k yellow gold, $37,000
Tree of Life pendant with pavé diamonds in 18k yellow gold, $19,500
Bella bangle with tanzanite and diamonds in 18k yellow gold, $12,500
Vine amulet with oval rock crystal and diamonds in 18k yellow gold, $6,950
The finishing touch: A crenellated “Temple St. Clair Firenze” awning above the entryway, which brings a bright new focal point to the fading tableau of old-world jewelers along the bridge—and hopefully heralds the beginning of a new era. One might even call it a renaissance.
Top: The look and feel of the new Temple St. Clair boutique in Florence, Italy, originated with this watercolor sketch by the designer herself.
Follow me on Instagram – @aelliott718
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
