Mario Nokaj

Lapidarium

Jewellery maker

©Vanja Solin

From engineer to goldsmith

Mario makes limited edition fine jewellery
He works with precious materials, following family tradition
He established his brand Lapidarium in 2011

Lapidarium sells unique collections of high aesthetic value to complement the wearer’s individual expression. Master goldsmith Mario Nokaj, an electric engineer by vocation, discovered his passion for creating in the family workshop, where he learned the craft. After years of practising, he finally decided to continue the tradition in 2011 by opening his own workshop and shop in the city centre of Zagreb. Mario both designs and handcrafts his own jewellery pieces by combining traditional and contemporary goldsmithing techniques, but also by collaborating with local visual artists, designers and sculptors on various collections, which results in him challenging the notion of mainstream jewellery creation.

Interview

©Vanja Solin

©Bojan Mrđenović

What are your sources of inspiration?: I take inspiration from nature and geometry, but also from customers who bring their own ideas along. I worked for years trying to master the technical skills, before launching my first complete concept and collection named Burn in 2003.
Do you master any specific techniques?: Anticlastic raising is my favourite technique. I usually combine old and new techniques, depending on the project and the customer. Besides technical knowledge, one has to have the ability to recognize the wearer's expression and tell his/her story through jewellery.
What is less known about your craft?: A lot of people consider the job of a goldsmith a luxury. However, they do not realize that it is a job where one has to get their hands dirty and spend a lot of time and sweat to make each piece, usually on a tight schedule.
Could your craft be considered in danger?: The new digital age calls for various shifts in the production and making, but also in other areas such as marketing and social networking. However, handmade jewellery has existed from the very start of our known history, and I think it ought to stay.

Mario Nokaj is a master artisan: he began his career in 1996 and he started teaching in 2011