Celebrating Artisanal Heritage With Colombian Filigree Jewelry
Every piece of Makarla jewelry celebrates the beauty of Colombia and its traditions. One of these is filigree, a style of jewelry that local artisans have mastered over centuries. Colombian filigree jewelry is delicate and iconic. Learn more about the history of this stunning jewelry style below!
What Is Colombian Filigree Jewelry?
Filigree is a technique in which artisans weave fine threads of precious metals, such as gold and silver, into beautiful designs.
This specialized method of jewelry creation requires ultra flexible threads that can be curled and allow artisans to create intricate curves and shapes, resulting in unique and meaningful jewelry.
Each piece represents the precision of Colombian craftsmanship and preserves a time-honored tradition.
The Evolution Of Filigree Jewelry: Indigenous Roots
With An European Twist
This jewelry style has been around for centuries all over the world, with origins in Italy, Greece, Egypt, and Spain. But Colombian Filigree Jewelry stands out the most. It’s especially renowned for its blend of Indigenous, European, and African influences.
Fusing the methods of different cultures has allowed Colombian Filigree to stand out and be more authentic than its foreign counterparts.
Indigenous cultures created ancient forms of filigree jewelry, but they improved the technique after the Spanish arrived in Colombia.
They introduced new methods and materials for jewelry creation, which developed the filigree jewelry that we know and love today.


Mompox
A Lasting Colombian Jewelry Tradition
Filigree Jewelry is not unique to Colombia, but Colombian Filigree jewelry is unique to the world.
It’s most often associated with the charming town of Mompox, also known as ‘the town where time stopped’. In the north of Colombia, the idyllic surroundings and well-preserved architecture of Mompox have made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mompox became a popular location for the Spanish to store mined gold and silver during the conquest thanks to its strategic location along the Magdalena River.
The influx of Sevillian artisans in the region led to the tradition of filigree jewelry creation in Mompox, a skill that has been passed down through generations for centuries.
Makarla Filigree Collection
Of course, we had to include this classic style of Colombian jewelry within our collections! Makarla’s filigree collection is handmade in Cali by Aguamarina Filigrana. Filled with stunning, nature-inspired shapes including butterflies, clovers, and leaves, Makarla’s Filigree Collection is a tribute to Colombia’s natural beauty and artisanal heritage. A colorful and adjustable woven thread surrounds each filigree piece to add comfort to your everyday jewelry collection. The collection is easy to wear yet bold; it’s jewelry you can feel good about.
Embrace the wonder of Colombian craftsmanship with filigree jewelry! Explore our collection today.