Gina “GiGi” Ferranti, the beloved jewelry designer known for turning geometry and heritage into wearable art, has passed away from ovarian cancer at 59. The industry lost not just a designer—but a storyteller in gold and gems.
Born in NYC and raised in Brooklyn, GiGi first thrived in fashion, running a high-end accessories boutique. But when the neighborhood changed, so did her journey. She followed her passion into jewelry, earning her Graduate Gemologist degree from GIA in just six months and landing her first job with David Yurman.
In 2015, she launched her own brand, GiGi Ferranti, named after what her nieces called her. Her designs weren’t just pretty—they were personal. “Chic, timeless, wearable,” she told Pietra Communications. “You can wear my jewelry with sweats, jeans, blazers, or ballgowns.”
Just one year later, she won the MJSA Award for professional excellence. In 2018, she snagged the prestigious WJA Gem Diva Award at the AGTA Spectrum Awards.
But GiGi’s impact wasn’t just in awards—it was in hearts. Diamond manufacturer Marc Knobloch became one of her closest friends. “We shared everything—her father’s passing, her battle with cancer, and all the joy in between. Her voice, her laugh, even her mispronunciations—I’ll miss them all.”
Becky Stone, creator of Diamonds in the Library, remembered her as “bright, strong, full of love.” Her jewelry, she said, was a reflection of her—bold, joyful, and colorful.
Ben Guttery of Third Coast Gems called her light “contagious” and her words “uplifting.” He added, “Her art will live on and become heirlooms.”
GiGi is survived by her mother Annette and sister Lisa Ferranti-Sciortino—but also by the legacy she left shining in every piece she created.
🖤 Top: GiGi at the 2024 NYCJAOS, photo by Julio Jaime Brianso Muñoz