Damiani's Abascus ring is loaded with diamonds.

They say you can’t be too rich or too thin. I say you can’t have too many shoes or too much jewelry. Thankfully, this city gives me plenty of options, and as of last month, there’s another jewel in New York’s crown: Italian jeweler Damiani just opened its first boutique here (796 Madison Avenue, near 67th Street; 212-375-6474 or damiani.it).

The family-run company’s treasures include diamond bracelets and rings that snake around the wrist or finger, Tahitian and white pearls set with diamonds, and a collection of turquoise or coral rings and earrings that glamorize these often kitschy stones (prices are mostly in the $3,000 to $10,000 range).

But Damiani is probably best known Stateside as the company Brad Pitt chose to make Jennifer Aniston’s engagement ring. Pitt designed that ring himself, as well as a subsequent collection of watches and jewelry called D-Side.

At first, I rolled my eyes. Then I looked at the jewelry, which is simple and smart, with great attention to detail. Pendants, rings, bracelets, and cuff links (most in white or yellow gold) are based on a circle-within-a-circle design (from $1,000 to $3,000). Subtle touches include diamonds set on the rim of a ring, so they’re obvious only to the wearer. Maybe Pitt really is the perfect man.

Related:

• Archive: “Shop Talk”
• Articles by Rima Suqi
• Table of Contents: Aug 16, 2004 issue of New York | Subscribe!