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Macri Classica Bracelet
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Materials: 18K yellow and white gold with Rigato hand-engraving and brilliant-cut diamond border
View on Buccellati →The Verdict
The Macri Classica bracelet is the definitive expression of Buccellati's Rigato engraving technique, where gold is transformed into a surface resembling woven silk or lace. No other jeweler on earth can replicate this effect, making this bracelet a genuinely unique achievement in the history of metalwork.
Score Breakdown
What Customers Say
Based on 1,100 mentions across social media and review platforms
The Macri Classica bracelet is revered in connoisseur circles as perhaps the finest example of metalwork in contemporary jewelry. Many describe seeing it in person as a revelation. The Rigato engraving consistently generates disbelief and admiration, with viewers struggling to accept that the textile-like surface is actually gold.
"The Macri bracelet changed my understanding of what gold can do. The Rigato engraving creates a surface that genuinely looks and almost feels like woven silk. I've shown it to other jewelers and they shake their heads in disbelief. There is nothing else like this in the world."
Reddit r/jewelry
"This bracelet is the crown jewel of my collection, and I own pieces from Cartier, Van Cleef, and Harry Winston. None of them demonstrate the level of pure metalwork artistry that Buccellati achieves with the Rigato technique. It's on another level entirely."
Trustpilot
"Extraordinary craftsmanship but the aesthetic is very Italian Renaissance, which may feel old-fashioned to contemporary tastes. At $18,000 for a brand most people don't recognize, the status signaling is also limited."
Reddit r/luxury
"Objectively the finest metalwork in jewelry. The Rigato engraving is a lost-art-level technique maintained by only a handful of artisans. Whether the classical aesthetic suits modern wardrobes is personal, but the quality is beyond question."
Google Reviews
"My grandmother left me her Macri bracelet from the 1970s and it looks as stunning today as it must have then. I just bought the current version to pair with it. Four generations of Buccellati craftsmanship, unchanged and unmatched."
Instagram comment
Pros & Cons
Strengths
- + Rigato engraving technique is unmatched by any other house
- + Each piece is genuinely unique due to freehand engraving
- + Mixed gold tones create sophisticated color contrast
- + Diamond border adds brilliance without competing with engraving
- + Exceptional longevity — vintage pieces remain stunning decades later
Trade-offs
- − Classical Italian aesthetic may not suit all modern tastes
- − Limited brand recognition reduces social status signaling
- − Engraved surfaces require specialized care to maintain
- − Very limited availability with few global retail locations
Specifications
| Metal | 18K yellow gold (body) and white gold (border) |
| Engraving | Hand-carved Rigato technique |
| Diamonds | Brilliant-cut, border setting |
| Total Diamond Weight | Approximately 1.0 carat |
| Bracelet Width | 15mm |
| Closure | Hidden hinge with safety catch |
| Weight | Approximately 45 grams |
| Production Time | 80-120 hours of handwork per piece |
Alternatives to Consider
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Rigato engraving on the Macri unique?
How should I care for the engraved surface?
How long does it take to make a Macri bracelet?
Full Review
Gold Transformed into Silk
The Macri Classica bracelet is the piece that defines Buccellati and, in many ways, defines the outer limits of what can be achieved with metalwork in jewelry. The Rigato engraving technique, perfected over four generations of the Buccellati family, involves carving thousands of microscopically fine parallel lines into the gold surface by hand. The result is a transformation that seems physically impossible: hard 18K gold becomes a surface that appears to be woven silk, catching light in soft, diffused patterns rather than the sharp reflections of polished metal. No photograph fully captures the effect; it must be experienced in person.
The Human Hand at Work
What makes the Macri bracelet extraordinary is not just the visual effect but the process behind it. Each bracelet requires 80-120 hours of handwork by artisans who have spent years learning the Rigato technique. The engraving is done freehand with specialized tools called burins, meaning each cut is placed by skill and instinct rather than machine guidance. This makes every Macri bracelet genuinely one-of-a-kind — the pattern is consistent in character but unique in detail, like a signature.
Design Composition
The Rigato-engraved yellow gold body is framed by borders of white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds, creating a contrast between the soft, textile-like center and the precise brilliance of the edges. The two-tone gold combination is quintessentially Buccellati, and the proportions of the 15mm width strike a balance between presence and elegance. The hidden hinge mechanism opens smoothly and the safety catch provides security appropriate for a piece of this value.
The Ultimate Connoisseur’s Choice
The Macri Classica bracelet is not for those who want their jewelry to broadcast a brand name. Buccellati’s relative anonymity compared to Cartier or Tiffany means this is a piece appreciated primarily by those who understand craftsmanship at the highest level. For many serious collectors, that is precisely the point. The bracelet signals not wealth or fashion awareness but deep knowledge of and respect for artisanal excellence, a distinction that grows increasingly rare and valuable.
