Sestre Vitanov, goldsmiths
As the third generation of a family-run goldsmithing workshop, Marina and Danijela built their own specific expression in applying the techniques of working with precious metals and stones, which they learned as children. Today, their workshop and shop space are still located in the old premises, where 'two craftswomen of fine jewellery' create signature pieces, preferably from recycled/repurchased materials.
- Name of Craft in the local language
- Zlatarke, Sestre Vitanov
- Type of Craft
- Goldsmithing of fine jewellery, bringing together Vitanov signature techniques of processing precious metals and stones and their own unique expression
- Knowledge Holder
- Marina Vitanov-Jevtić and Danijela Vitanov
- Location, Website
- Vase Čarapića 14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Link to website
- Contact
- sestrevitanov@gmail.com, +381 63 7206283
- Type of Business
- Inherited from their father
- Year of Establishment
- 2018 (Sestre Vitanov), 1960s (Vitanov goldsmith workshop and jewellery store)
- Successors
- They have three daughters, who are yet to decide if this will be their vocation and passion.
- Workshop and sales space
- 60 m² (workshop space with 5 separate rooms for different stages of the process) and 15 m² (shop area)
- Materials
- Precious metals and stones
- Technology / Tools / Machines
- Goldsmith tables, stone veneer tools, hammers, files, tweezers, scales, grinder, burner, brushes, cutting tools, melting dishes, moulds, ring mandrel, ring sizer gauge
- Techniques / Processes
- Melting, purifying, cutting, packing, wreathing, smithing, polishing
- Members / Employees
- 2, Marina Vitanov-Jevtić, Danijela Vitanov
- Apprentices
- No apprentices as goldsmith craft poses a security issue and therefore is often passed down within a family.
- Education of the Craftsperson
- The Vitanov sisters learned their craft from their parents, primarily working by their father’s side.
- Best-selling product
- Rings, earrings, and jewellery with more traditional motives
- Average time of production
- Up to 5 days (depending on the complexity of the object and the chosen material)
- Average price per item
- Depending on the type of the material (chosen metal and precious stone) and the applied technique (complexity of production – the number of elements influences the price range)
Today, they primarily use repurchased metals for their craftsmanship; as they say, 'it may be more complex to achieve the wanted colour and specificities, but it carries much more significance.' Even though they developed their specific style, they still do produce signature pieces the workshop is known for, and their father is still active, as their craft comes from love.
The Vitanov sisters, Marina and Danijela, are the third generation of goldsmiths and jewellery makers in the Vitanov family. They learned their craft working side by side with their parents, who ran their store together for several decades within the same work and shop space in Belgrade. Though they were both educated in different directions, one studying languages and the other design, they realized their love is in the craft, and they embarked on the journey of creating their signature style.
In 2018, Sestre Vitanov brand was established, and since then, the two sisters run the workshop and the store within the original space used since the 1960s. They create handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces, often from repurchased metal and with the already cut stone which they either inherited or purchased at specialized fairs.
Sestre Vitanov create their magic within the original workshop and store space. Their working space is 60 m², divided into three working rooms and support spaces (for melting, purifying, and other chemical operations). The two sisters each have their jewellery making stations, and their father, though officially retired, still uses his station. Alongside workstations, they have a space for veneering, polishing, and melting of the metals. Within their store, they run a customer desk and have an additional working area, within which they can do repairs and other smaller care tasks.
Sestre Vitanov’s jewellery is characterized by a distinct hand-made technique for producing one-of-a-kind objects, which are never produced in series.
Their process starts with the preparation of the material – melting and purifying of the precious metals. After melting, they use moulds for creating strips of specific dimensions (depending on the object type). When the strips are made, cut, and finely smithed, they are braided and twisted, or used for constructing more elaborate pieces by melting them together. If precious stone is used, the process demands veneering of the stone, and often the used metal is engraved. When constructed, each piece is coated and polished.
Sestre Vitanov are best known for making rings, earrings, pendants, and necklaces, in gold, silver, and specific mixtures, which all carry elements of their distinctive style. However, they still make older signature pieces authored by their parents and produce more traditional motives within the new stylistic language. In doing so, they wish to cater for a more traditional customer, purchasing items for specific types of occasions (such as christenings or weddings).
What can be noted are small elements incorporated into their pieces, which to an attentive eye have been making these objects distinctively Vitanov for three generations. Finally, their products are carefully packaged with a touching message attached, whereby the craftsmanship of the Vitanov sisters comes full circle and appears in a holistic way, with their craft and other loves.
