Magazine

How to choose the perfect piece of jewelry: a complete guide to gifting or treating yourself to fine jewelry
Necklace, earrings, bracelet… choosing the right piece of jewelry can seem complex. Discover our complete guide to selecting the perfect piece of jewelry based on metal, stones, style, and occasion. Expert advice from Montesino Joaillerie. Read more...
How a handmade jewel is born
Behind every piece of Montesino Jewellery, there is a story. The story of an idea taking shape — first in the mind, then on paper, then in the hands. It all starts with an intention. An image, an emotion, a symbol that one wants to capture. This intention is translated into sketches — quick drafts, then more precise drawings that begin to define proportions, volumes, and details. Then comes the sculpting phase. In wax or clay, the form takes on its three-dimensional reality for the first time. This is the... Read more...
How to choose jewelry that reflects who you are
Choosing a piece of jewelry is more complex than it seems. Faced with a collection, one might feel drawn to something without quite knowing why — or, conversely, paralyzed by too many choices. Here are some ideas to help you find the jewelry that truly suits you.   Ask yourself what you want to say. Jewelry speaks — what do you want it to express? Your strength, your sensuality, your belonging to a value or a community? A piece that holds meaning for you will always be more satisfying than... Read more...
Why symbolic jewelry is making a comeback in contemporary fashion
In the 2010s, minimalist jewelry reigned supreme. Delicate chains, discreet rings, sleek silhouettes. The trend was towards the invisibility of jewelry, blending into the outfit, almost absent.   In recent years, something has changed. Symbolic jewelry is making a remarkable comeback—not as a fashion whim, but as a reflection of something deeper in our relationship with ourselves and the world.   This return of symbolism in contemporary jewelry can be explained by several dynamics. The rise of feminist and liberation movements has rehabilitated long-censored symbols—the female body, assertive sexuality, feminine... Read more...
K.3: Three pendants inspired by the Kamasutra
The Kama Sutra is not what popular culture has made it out to be. It is a philosophical and poetic text from the 4th century, written by the sage Vātsyāyana, which deals with the art of living — of which love, desire, and sensuality are an integral part. A text about human connection, not performance.   Montesino Joaillerie's K.3 collection is inspired by this spirit: not by the spectacular or the transgressive, but by tenderness and movement. Three pendants. Three postures. Three ways to represent bodies in contact — with... Read more...
V.4: When jewelry takes inspiration from the female body
The V.4 collection by Montesino Joaillerie hides nothing. It says everything, with the precision and delicacy of a goldsmith who understands the value of what she represents.   V for Vulva. 4 for the fourth declension of a form that obsesses, fascinates, and liberates all at once. Each piece in this collection is a celebration — not a provocation. An affirmation — not a taboo.   Why the female body as inspiration for jewelry? Because the female body has a long history in decorative arts — too often represented by... Read more...
From Talismans to Contemporary Jewelry: Wearing a Symbol for Oneself
Before being a fashion accessory, jewelry was an object of power. A talisman. A protection. A link to the sacred. This function has not disappeared — it has transformed.   In traditional cultures worldwide, jewelry had specific functions: warding off the evil eye, attracting good luck, honoring ancestors, marking life's passages. The Hand of Fatma, the hamsa, the nazar, the crescent moon, the Eye of Horus: all geometric or symbolic forms to which protective power was attributed.   What's fascinating is that we haven't abandoned this belief. We've simply secularized... Read more...
Why wearing jewelry can be an act of empowerment
How we dress in the morning is already a political act. Choosing a piece of jewelry is even more so. In a world that tells women how to present themselves, deciding to wear what you want—especially when it's subversive, symbolic, or simply intimate—is an act of gentle resistance.   Empowerment through jewelry begins with choice. Not the jewelry you wear to please others, but the one you choose for yourself. The one that reminds you who you are, what you've been through, what you want to become.   Symbolic jewelry... Read more...
Jewellery as an intimate language
There are things that words can't express. Feelings too deep, too complex, too personal to be put into sentences. That's where jewelry comes in.   Jewelry is a language. A language of the body, of identity, of desire. It says what we dare not express: "I am strong," "I am free," "I belong to myself," "I love you." It holds memories of moments, people, decisions.   This language is particularly intimate because it touches the skin. Unlike clothes that are removed, the jewelry we choose to wear daily becomes an... Read more...
The vulva in art history: symbol, power, and taboo
It was carved in stone 35,000 years ago. Sculpted, painted, woven, hidden, celebrated. The vulva is one of humanity's oldest and most universal symbols — and one of the most fraught with contradictions.   In prehistoric art, the representation of the female genitalia is ubiquitous. Paleolithic Venuses, such as the Venus of Willendorf, celebrate fertility, life, and creative power. The vulva is not a taboo; it is sacred. It represents origin, birth, and the mystery of life.   This sacredness is found in many cultures: the Sheela-na-Gigs of medieval Irish... Read more...
Why body jewelry has been fascinating since antiquity
Since the first civilizations, human beings have adorned their bodies with jewelry laden with meaning. Long before they were fashion accessories, these adornments were powerful symbols: protection, identity, belonging, desire. Why is this link between the body and jewelry so ancient, so universal, so profound?   In ancient Egypt, scarab necklaces protected the living and the dead. In Greece, women wore golden fibulae as symbols of status and femininity. In pre-Columbian cultures, body ornaments indicated rank, power, and connection to the gods.   What is fascinating about this history is... Read more...
Handmade Jewelry: Why It's Really Worth It
In a market flooded with cheap, mass-produced jewelry, handmade pieces often seem more expensive. Is it really worth it? The answer is yes—and here’s why.   Material Quality. Handcrafted jewelry is generally made with noble metals: sterling silver, quality brass, sometimes gold. These are not materials that oxidize quickly, stain the skin, or deform at the first contact with water. A well-maintained handcrafted piece of jewelry can last for years, even decades.   Uniqueness. Even in small-batch production, handmade jewelry has slight variations that make each piece unique. You will... Read more...