Jewelry designer Gina “GiGi” Ferranti has died at age 59.
Ferranti, who operated GiGi Ferranti in Brooklyn, passed away July 8 of ovarian cancer.
The Brooklyn native launched her business in 2015, having completed her graduate gemologist degree after a career in the fashion industry.
Ferranti’s Italian heritage held strong influence over her designs, her company website noted.
“She interprets the beauty of ancient Italian architecture and stained glass windows that find its way into the fabrication of her work, featured in her sought-after Lucia stacking bands,” according to the site. “The candy colored coastline of the Italian Riviera is celebrated in her Portofino Collection. The blockbuster graffiti art murals she passes in her daily outings are reimagined with ombré gemstone initials in her bold and modern Graffito Collection.”
She was avid philanthropist who donated to charitable organizations including the American Cancer Society and the William’s Syndrome Association.
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Jewelry writer Beth Bernstein, a regular contributor to INSTORE, wrote on Facebook that Ferranti was “a bright light and beautiful both inside and out.”
“She was a rare talent in the jewelry business and a rare friend,” Bernstein said. “Genuine, understanding, giving, big hearted and always willing to help.”
Exceeding Every Expectation: How Wilkerson Helped d’Original Jewelers Achieve an Outstanding Retirement Sale
When David Rees decided to retire after 34 years of serving Bellevue, Washington’s Eastside, he and his wife knew their exit from d’Original Jewelers needed to honor their decades-long commitment to customers while meeting their financial goals. Since opening in 1990, David had built a reputation as one of the area’s most trusted names for diamonds, custom jewelry, and repairs.
Understanding that a successful retirement sale requires more than just discounting merchandise, David chose Wilkerson to manage his transition. What impressed him most was their attention to detail, particularly in accounting and sales projections. The results far exceeded his expectations — the sale significantly outperformed projections, delivering exceptional financial results that surpassed his retirement goals.
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