Reversible Revolution: Introducing the PICCHIOTTI Reversible Xpandable™ Collection

The Xpandable™ Collection is an iconic series of creations by Italian high jeweller PICCHIOTTI, characterised by a unique, invisible expanding mechanism that gives rings and bracelets amazing flexibility. Now, the brand has unveiled its Reversible Xpandable™ Collection just ahead of The Couture Show in Las Vegas from June 1-4, 2023, which provides two colourful ways to wear a single bracelet, necklace, ring, or drop earring. So, let’s dive into the colourful creativity of this innovative line of precious jewellery…

Firstly, a quick history lesson. PICCHIOTTI was founded in 1967 by Giuseppe Picchiotti in the heart of Valenza, Italy. Now, more than 55 years later, the brand is known for its use of superlative coloured gemstone in fine jewellery, designed and produced in-house under the watchful eye of Mr Picchiotti himself. Today, though, we are talking all things Xpandable™, specifically the new Reversible Xpandable™ Collection that combines everything we already love about the brand’s patented stretchy technology for bracelets and rings with dual-sided decoration.

I was alerted to this new chapter in the Xpandable™ story in March 2023, and now, at The Couture Show in Las Vegas from June 1-4, 2023, I can try the pieces for myself. The concept dates back to around six years when PICCHIOTTI was exploring customer concerns regarding ring sizing and cumbersome bracelet clasps. After much research, the brand first developed its comfortable expanding-and-contracting mechanism that allows precious metals to subtly stretch and then return to their original position, eliminating the need for ring sizing and for bracelet clasps. Best of all, this technology is invisible, so what looks like a beautiful ring or bracelet on the outside is internally quite complexly engineered yet still very comfortable to wear.

Giuseppe Picchiotti, Founder of the house of PICCHIOTTI, says: In over five decades of brilliance, one common complaint from the women I have met has been a sense of hesitation to wear their fine jewellery every day, particularly diamonds, or the sense of limitation as it relates to colour-coordinating coloured gemstones. I love the idea of technology that can solve problems! In the same way that we solved the problems of ring sizing and cumbersome bracelet clasps with our Xpandable™ technology, we have now tackled the issue of design versatility.

So, what dual-designed bracelets can you expect in this first wave of the Reversible Xpandable™ Collection? Some of my favourites include a combination of 308 round diamonds on one side and 14 green mother-of-pearl tiles on the other, set in 18k white gold. There are some striking bright colours, too, such as coral and turquoise juxtaposed with smooth white ceramic. Some are especially extravagant, such as a bracelet with one side set with 9.83 carats of buff top sapphires and the other bursting with 412 round diamonds for 16.40 carats.

According to Giuseppe Picchiotti: Our new reversible bracelets, necklaces, rings, and drop earrings feature completely different designs – luxurious diamonds on one side and solid gold on the other, or sapphires on one side for wearing with cool hues in the wardrobe and rubies on the other to wear with blacks, neutrals, and warmer toned fabrics.

The designs don’t just need to look beautiful in both directions, they must also be comfortable. Anything too bulky or raised wouldn’t sit flush to the wrist and would therefore ruin the surprise! PICCHIOTTI has really considered this with the Reversible Xpandable™ Collection, so its pieces can be easily stacked and layered without feeling hefty on the wrist.