Dario Belardinelli, jewels designer

I’m Dario, I’m 30 years old and I’m an artisan. I work here in Venice since 7 years in my family business. Every day I open the shop, pushing out our old Venetian wooden counter. It’s on glides, one of the last still existing in town. With a push, every day, we bring out our products to the public. So here, on our work counter, I express my work.

In the beginning, I started working out of necessity, in order to help my family. Over time, I started appreciating more and more my job. I discovered that it can be even taken as a mission, because it keeps Venetian traditions alive, as well as Venetian artisans’ workshops.

Actually, there isn’t just one single technique in Murano. In the centuries, many different techniques were created. We have glass dipped in silver leaf or gold leaf, we have blown glass, we have mosaics, the aventurine technique which is this one here, where glass is mixed with copper powder…

To our customers, we obviously have to give some historical information. Visitors cannot be expected to already know everything, therefore it is the salesman’s role to also explain the tradition of the Venetian crafts.

The beauty is its transparency, which recalls elements of Venice; the transparency reminds you of the water. There is also something about the person who created it because, in the act of blowing, the master really leaves a personal trace of himself

This here is definitely one of the most beautiful. It’s blown aventurine glass: slightly transparent, the aventurine work hides the inside and gives a great and catchy luminosity to the pearl. This is blown crystal, it’s one of the most sold. It’s easy to wear and combine This one here is again blown glass, which is then grinded. This is blown glass, a classic in black or black&white, but also with many colors, with the addition of filigree. In my opinion, the ones with filigree are the most beautiful of all

When I come back, whether I get off at the Fondamenta Nuove via Alilaguna [public transport boat] close to where I live, or rather I arrive at Piazzale Roma, when I step in Venice, I feel I am back home. Therefore I’d say it’s my favorite hub from which I can leave and discover the world

For now, we are still sticking to our style. In any case, we have a very broad range of products. We are able to offer products starting from a low price, yet all locally produced here in Venice, up to higher prices. It’s a price range that starts from 7€ and goes up to 3-400€. It’s a broad selection our customers can choose from, and for now, we are still able to maintain our offer.

A suggestion for those coming to Venice could be to drop your guide or your map to lose yourself in the city and not visit only San Marco and Rialto… even though I am in Rialto! So lose yourself in the city and observe areas that are farther away and are often charming. Don’t do just a 1-day hit and run visit: Rialto-San Marco-back home. Stay instead a couple of days.