Italian Designer Marco Bicego to Visit James Free Jewelers in Montgomery, Ohio, 11/14

Internationally acclaimed jewelry designer Marco Bicego will introduce many of his latest designs in a rare public appearance at James Free Jewelers in Montgomery, Ohio (a Cincinnati suburb) on Thursday, November 14. Bicego will mingle with fans and engrave his autograph on select pieces during the visit from 4:00-8:00 p.m. It will be one of just two appearances he is planning in the Midwest during an upcoming trip to the United States.

"We are honored to be hosting Marco Bicego for the second time," said Michael Karaman, president of James Free Jewelers, one of the Midwest's most respected high-quality jewelry retailers. "Italian designers have long set the tone for what's hot in the jewelry industry, and Marco Bicego is one of that country's leading names in the industry. He will bring hundreds of rare pieces, including some that are one of a kind. Each one is a collector's item."

Bicego is known for exquisite, multi-textured designs that blend Old World craftsmanship with a contemporary flair. Two characteristic features of his designs are exclusive hand-woven coil strands and hand-etched satin finishes. Natural, raw materials, yellow gold and exclusive cut stones, shaped by master craftsmen in Bicego's Veneto-based workshops, are the essence of Murano, Siviglia Drop, Jaipur Link and Africa collections.

"All my creations must be manipulated by hand in order for them to preserve a unique and luxurious experience," Bicego said.

Bicego began his training as a gold artisan at his father's 50-year-old atelier. His instincts were refined at the workbench and led him to begin experimenting with design, blending urban-inspired lines with ethnic motifs and merging natural forms with artistic outlines. This pure craftsmanship can be found in his manipulation of gold; transforming this luxurious element into spirals and hand-engraved beads. The Marco Bicego brand is found only in the finest jewelers around the world. Prices begin at approximately $1,000.

James Free Jewelers is located at 9555 Main Street, Montgomery, Ohio 45242. For more information, call (513) 793-0133 or visit www.jamesfree.com. The company's other location is at 3100 Far Hills Avenue in Kettering, Ohio.