MARGONI is a contemporary jewellery studio founded in 1989 in Thessaloniki, Greece by design duo Mary Margoni and Yannis Mandilakis. Working together in their atelier since the very beginning, the two artists create one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate the natural beauty of gemstones and the expressive freedom of handcrafted design.
Each piece is crafted entirely in their workshop, where Mary leads the creative direction and design, while Yannis specializes in gem cutting and lapidary techniques. Precious and semi-precious stones are at the heart of their work—sometimes precisely faceted, other times preserved in their natural form.
Combined with gold and silver, these stones become distinctive pieces defined by abstract lines, organic shapes, and a sense of effortless individuality. MARGONI jewellery reflects a philosophy of simplicity, authenticity, and artistic expression, resulting in pieces that feel both sculptural and deeply wearable.
Over the years, the brand has gained international recognition, with pieces available in select stores across Europe and the United States. MARGONI jewellery is also featured in the Museum of Arts and Design in New York.
You began working together in 1989. What first connected you creatively?
Love. It was the starting point of everything. It grew naturally into a creative partnership, where we discovered a shared passion for craftsmanship and artistic expression.
Do you ever feel like the stone is leading the design, rather than the other way around?
In our work, the gemstones are always the protagonists. Each stone has its own character, color, and energy, and we try to respect that. Rather than forcing a design onto it, we allow the shape and personality of the crystal to guide the final piece. In many ways, the design simply follows the stone.
Do you see your work more as jewelry, or as wearable sculpture?
We see it first and foremost as jewelry. While some pieces may have sculptural qualities, our intention is always to create something that is expressive but also natural and comfortable to wear.
Look back to your earliest pieces, what has remained constant and what have you had to let go of creatively over time?
What we have always tried to preserve is the distinctive style and recognizability of our jewellery. Even as our work evolves, we want someone to be able to immediately recognize a MARGONI piece. Over time, however, we have left behind the heavier, bulkier forms of the past, gradually moving toward more refined expressions.
What does it mean to see your work featured in the Museum of Arts and Design in New York?
It is a great honor and a real joy for us. Seeing our jewellery presented in an art museum in New York reinforces the idea that handmade jewellery can also be appreciated as a form of artistic expression.
What do you hope someone feels the first time they wear a MARGONI piece?
When someone wears one of our pieces, we hope they feel unique. Our jewellery is one-of-a-kind, and we would like the person wearing it to feel the same way. To feel free to express themselves without being bound by conventional standards or expectations.
If one of your pieces were discovered years from now, what would you want it to communicate?
That truly unique jewellery is timeless.