Filigree craft

Jeweler Krist Beriša has been making unique handcrafted jewelry for more than half a century in a small workshop in Kraljevo.

Using only a few tools, he weaves thin silver wires and makes a new work of art each day. The process of making each piece of jewelry is long and complicated, income is lowand working conditions are bad, but that did not stop this jeweler from doing what he loves the most – filigree.

Steady hands and dexterous fingers, hard work, experience, dedicationand great love are required to make one piece of jewelry. You can find a similar product at a lower price in jewelry store, but the difference between the handcrafted piece of jewelry and the mass produced one is obvious. Every handcrafted piece of jewelry is unique, special and made with love.

Filigree craft is an old way of making jewelry out of silver and rarely out of copper and gold. It is a very delicate process; the jeweler weaves very thin silver wires with his hands and makes shapes out of them, in the end this results in a unique piece of jewelry. Bracelets, necklaces, rings or various bowls, cressets and ornaments are the most common items that a filigree jeweler makes.

It takes up to eight hours to make a single bracelet, but more complex items require days and sometimes even months. A lot of time is required in order to perfect this craft and only the jewelers with a great amount of experience can call themselves true masters.

Even though this craft came to Serbia relatively early, the demand for these products is rather small. There are only several people in Serbia who know how to make jewelry using this old technique, and filigree Krist Beriša, whose grandson wishes to continue the family tradition, should feel very lucky.

Help, support, greater demand and better representation are required in order to keep the filigree craft. If this does not happen, the number of these artisans will only grow smaller.

Next time you need an interesting and unique gift or if you want to make someone happy, visit a filigree workshop instead of a jewelry store. You are bound to find something you will like.