Home › Brands › Buccellati › Opera Pendant Necklace
Opera Pendant Necklace
Last updated:
91 / 100
ProductScore
Materials: 18K yellow gold with hand-engraved openwork, black onyx, silk cord
View on Buccellati →The Verdict
The Opera pendant translates Buccellati's legendary engraving into a button-shaped medallion of extraordinary delicacy, combining openwork gold patterns with onyx in a piece that feels like a Renaissance miniature suspended from a silk cord. An entry point into Buccellati that captures the house's essential character.
Score Breakdown
What Customers Say
Based on 780 mentions across social media and review platforms
The Opera pendant is frequently cited as the perfect introduction to Buccellati, offering the house's signature engraving at a more accessible price. The openwork patterns generate admiration from jewelry enthusiasts, and the onyx center provides striking contrast. Many note that the silk cord gives a bohemian elegance uncommon in luxury jewelry.
"The Opera pendant is like wearing a tiny piece of Italian art history. The openwork engraving is so fine that it almost looks like lace, and the black onyx behind it creates the most beautiful contrast. Buccellati at a price I could actually achieve."
Reddit r/jewelry
"I bought this as my first Buccellati piece and it hooked me completely. The craftsmanship visible in the hand-engraved openwork is simply extraordinary. The silk cord adds a casual elegance that makes it wearable every day."
Trustpilot
"Beautiful engraving but the silk cord feels insubstantial for a luxury pendant. I'd prefer a gold chain at this price point. Also, the button shape reads more brooch-like than pendant-like to my eye."
Reddit r/luxury
"Exquisite hand-engraved metalwork in a pendant format. The openwork technique is stunning and the onyx backing gives it depth. An excellent representation of Buccellati's artistry at a relatively accessible price."
Google Reviews
"I wear my Opera pendant with everything from jeans to cocktail dresses. The silk cord makes it feel effortless and the gold work is so intricate that people always lean in for a closer look. It starts the best conversations."
Instagram comment
Pros & Cons
Strengths
- + Extraordinary hand-engraved openwork demonstrates Buccellati's peak artistry
- + Onyx backing creates dramatic contrast with gold lacework
- + Silk cord provides distinctive bohemian luxury aesthetic
- + One of the most accessible Buccellati pieces at full artisan quality
- + Versatile from casual to semi-formal wear
Trade-offs
- − Silk cord may need periodic replacement with wear
- − Button shape may not appeal to those preferring traditional pendant forms
- − Delicate openwork requires careful handling
- − Limited brand recognition for the price point
Specifications
| Metal | 18K yellow gold |
| Technique | Hand-engraved openwork (Tulle) |
| Backing | Black onyx cabochon |
| Pendant Diameter | 30mm |
| Cord | Silk, adjustable |
| Weight | Approximately 12 grams (pendant only) |
| Closure | Gold clasp on silk cord |
| Variations | Available with different backing stones |
Alternatives to Consider
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the openwork technique used in the Opera pendant?
Can the silk cord be replaced with a gold chain?
How should I protect the openwork from damage?
Full Review
Renaissance Art in Miniature
The Opera pendant is a small window into the vast artisanal tradition that defines Buccellati. The button-shaped medallion features openwork engraving so fine that the gold appears to be transformed into lace, with intricate patterns pierced through the metal to reveal the black onyx backing beneath. The technique, known as Tulle in the Buccellati workshop, requires the same patient, freehand skill as the Rigato engraving, adapted here to create transparency rather than texture.
Material Contrast and Composition
The interplay between the golden openwork and the black onyx creates a visual effect of remarkable depth. The onyx provides a dark field against which the delicate gold patterns are thrown into sharp relief, much like illuminated manuscripts where gilded letters glow against deep backgrounds. The contrast enhances every detail of the engraving, making the artisan’s handwork more visible and more beautiful than it would be against skin alone.
The Silk Cord Choice
Buccellati’s decision to present the Opera pendant on a silk cord rather than a traditional gold chain is a deliberate aesthetic choice that speaks to the house’s confidence and independence. The silk adds a casual, almost bohemian quality that balances the formal intricacy of the goldwork. It also keeps the focus on the pendant itself, avoiding the visual competition that a gold chain might create. The practical benefit is a lighter, more comfortable wearing experience than a metal chain would provide.
Accessibility Without Compromise
At $8,500, the Opera pendant offers the full Buccellati artisan experience at a fraction of the Macri bracelet’s cost. The openwork technique requires equivalent skill to the Rigato engraving, and the pendant is made with the same patient, unhurried dedication that characterizes all Buccellati production. For those who have long admired the house’s artistry but found the price of larger pieces prohibitive, the Opera pendant is the ideal point of entry, sacrificing nothing in craftsmanship while offering a more accessible investment.
