October · Italian American Heritage Month
October Is Italian American Heritage Month
Every October we celebrate Italian American Heritage Month, first designated by Congress and presidential proclamation in 1989, the same year our family’s jewelry business was founded. This month, come see the Italian craftsmanship behind our name: Savoia from Vicenza, 18K Italian gold, and faith pieces made in Italy.
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Family Jeweler Since 1989 · Elmwood Park, Illinois
From Arezzo to Elmwood Park: Our Italian Gold Heritage
Savoia from Vicenza, 18K Italian gold and faith pieces made in Italy, chosen by a family jeweler since 1989.
Arezzo isn’t just our name. Arezzo, in Tuscany, is one of Italy’s three gold capitals, alongside Vicenza and Valenza. Arezzo Jewelers is a family-owned jeweler in Elmwood Park, Illinois, just west of Chicago, founded in 1989 by Michael Spilotro and named for that Tuscan gold city. We specialize in 18K and 14K Italian gold, Savoia fine jewelry handmade in Vicenza, Italian religious jewelry, engagement rings and custom design.
By Vincent Spilotro, Creative Director & GIA Graduate Gemologist · Updated
Arezzo Jewelers: Key Facts
- Business
- Arezzo Jewelers, a family-owned fine jeweler
- Founded
- 1989, by Michael Spilotro
- Our name
- Inspired by Arezzo, Tuscany, one of Italy’s historic centers of gold jewelry
- Location
- 7544 W. North Ave., Suite 1, Elmwood Park, IL 60707, just west of Chicago
- Creative Director
- Vincent Spilotro, GIA Graduate Gemologist
- Known for
- 18K and 14K Italian gold, Savoia Italy fine jewelry, Italian religious jewelry, engagement rings and custom design
- Hours
- Tue, Wed & Fri 10:30 am–6 pm · Thu 10:30 am–7 pm · Sat 10:30 am–5 pm · Closed Sun & Mon
- Phone
- (708) 716-3626
Savoia Italy · 18K Gold · Natural Diamonds
Savoia Jewelry, Handmade in Vicenza
Savoia Italy handcrafts fine jewelry in Vicenza, one of Italy’s three gold capitals. Every piece is handmade in 18 karat gold and set with premium, high-grade natural diamonds and gemstones, hand-selected by Savoia’s master jewelers and artisans. Its collections include Arena, Capri, Onda and Art Deco.
The signature Arena Collection takes its sculptural lines from the arches and columns of the Arena di Verona, with titanium springs inside that let the pieces flex for a comfortable fit. Every Savoia piece from Arezzo is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Chains · Bracelets · Charms
18K Italian Gold, Chosen Piece by Piece
Italian gold isn’t a different kind of gold. The difference is in the making: generations of goldsmithing, intricate link construction and precise finishing. We choose our Italian gold for construction, finish and wearability, in both 18K and 14K.
Here are a few 18K favorites in the showroom now.
Browse our full Italian gold collection: chains, bracelets, necklaces and pendants →
Crosses · Saints · Medals
Faith, in Italian Gold
Crosses, saint medals and Virgin Mary medals in 18K gold, made in Italy, for baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations and every day in between. They’re made to be worn daily and passed down for generations.
Shop Italian religious jewelry: gold crosses, saint medals and more →
A Real Jeweler’s Tip
What Does 750 Mean on Gold?
If you see “750” stamped inside a piece, it’s 18K: 75% pure gold.
The number counts parts of pure gold per 1,000. So 585 means 14K, or 58.5% gold. Look for the stamp on the clasp, the bail of a pendant or inside a band.
How to Spot Quality Italian Gold
01 Read the stamps
Look for the fineness number: 750 for 18K, 585 for 14K. Many Italian pieces also carry a maker’s mark: a five-pointed star, a registration number and a province code, such as AR for Arezzo or VI for Vicenza.
02 Ask whether it’s solid or hollow
Both are real gold. Solid links feel heavier for their size and stand up to daily wear; hollow links give more volume for less weight. Ask for the weight in grams to compare pieces fairly.
03 Check the finish
Links should be even, diamond-cut facets crisp and joins clean. A good chain lies flat and moves smoothly through your fingers without kinking.
04 Test the clasp
A well-made piece has a sturdy clasp sized to the chain that closes with a firm, secure click.
05 See it in person
Weight, drape and color are hard to judge on a screen. Compare pieces side by side in good light before you choose.
Italian Gold & Heritage: Questions We Hear Most
What does 750 mean on gold?
750 means the piece is 18 karat gold: 750 parts pure gold per 1,000, or 75% gold. The other 25% is alloy metals that add strength and set the color. You’ll usually find the 750 stamp on the clasp, the bail of a pendant or inside a band, sometimes beside an Italian maker’s mark.
Is 14k or 18k Italian gold better?
Neither is better; they suit different wearers. 18k gold, stamped 750, is 75% gold with a richer yellow color. 14k gold, stamped 585, is 58.5% gold, harder and well suited to everyday chains and bracelets. Many Italian designer pieces, including every Savoia piece, are made in 18k gold.
Are Arezzo’s Italian chains solid or hollow?
Most of our Italian gold chains are solid. We also carry a few larger hollow styles, made in Italy to the same high standard, so bolder looks stay comfortable to wear and easier on the budget. Browse them on our Shop Italian Gold page.
What makes Italian gold different?
Italian gold isn’t a different metal: 18k gold is 75% gold anywhere in the world. What sets Italian jewelry apart is how it’s made, with generations of goldsmithing in Arezzo, Vicenza and Valenza behind its intricate chains, precise finishing and distinctive design. “Made in Italy” tells you where; the karat stamp tells you purity.
Where are Italy’s gold capitals?
Italy’s three main gold-jewelry districts are Arezzo in Tuscany, Vicenza in the Veneto and Valenza in Piedmont, which together account for most of Italy’s jewelry exports. Arezzo inspired our store’s name, Vicenza is where every Savoia piece is handmade, and Valenza is known for high-end gem-set jewelry.
Why is the store called Arezzo Jewelers?
Our name was inspired by Arezzo, Tuscany, one of Italy’s historic centers of gold jewelry manufacturing. Michael Spilotro founded our family jewelry business in 1989 to bring Italian gold and craftsmanship to Chicagoland. Today Arezzo Jewelers is a family-owned showroom in Elmwood Park, Illinois, just west of Chicago.
What is Savoia jewelry?
Savoia Italy is an Italian fine-jewelry house. Every piece is handmade in Vicenza in 18 karat gold and set with premium natural diamonds and gemstones hand-selected by its master jewelers. Its collections include Arena, Capri, Onda and Art Deco. Arezzo Jewelers carries Savoia in Elmwood Park, backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
When is Italian American Heritage Month?
Italian American Heritage Month is celebrated every October in the United States. Congress and President George H. W. Bush first designated October 1989 as Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month to honor the contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants, and later presidents have proclaimed it again.
Do you have a physical store?
Yes. Arezzo Jewelers is a family-owned showroom at 7544 W. North Ave., Suite 1, Elmwood Park, IL 60707, just west of Chicago. We’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10:30 am–6 pm, Thursday 10:30 am–7 pm and Saturday 10:30 am–5 pm, and closed Sunday and Monday. Call (708) 716-3626.
Written by
Vincent Spilotro, Creative Director & GIA Graduate Gemologist, Arezzo Jewelers
Vincent Spilotro is Creative Director of Arezzo Jewelers and a GIA Graduate Gemologist. He has worked alongside his father, Michael Spilotro, who founded the family’s jewelry business in 1989, and today helps clients choose Italian gold, Savoia and custom pieces in our Elmwood Park showroom.
Published · Updated
Visit Our Elmwood Park Showroom
Photos don’t do Italian gold justice. Come see it in person.
Arezzo Jewelers
7544 W. North Ave., Suite 1
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
Showroom Hours
| Tuesday | 10:30 am – 6:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 10:30 am – 6:00 pm |
| Thursday | 10:30 am – 7:00 pm |
| Friday | 10:30 am – 6:00 pm |
| Saturday | 10:30 am – 5:00 pm |
| Sunday & Monday | Closed |
Just west of Chicago on North Avenue. Prefer a set time? Book a private viewing and tell us which pieces you’d like to see; we’ll have them waiting. Questions? Contact us.