The Russian jewelry brand Cappulo was founded in Moscow in 2010 by jewelry designer Svetlana Stepanova.
A graduate of the Carl Fabergé Art Institute and a participant of its decorative and applied arts workshops, Svetlana started her journey as a jewelry designer at the Smolensk Diamonds association, but later focused on developing her own brand of exclusive jewelry.
Svetlana is a winner of the Russian Diamond Line and the Russia 21st Century jewelry design awards held by the Gokhran of Russia.
Cappulo Jewelry House specializes in premium handcrafted jewelry pieces featuring 18K gold and rhodium-plated silver.
Cappulo's collections and individual pieces have been exhibited at the State Historical Museum in Moscow and the Amber Museum in Kaliningrad. Cappulo Jewelry House is a regular participant of the Russian Antique Salon and the Art Moscow exhibitions.
You've founded your own brand. What does the name Cappulo stand for?
It's an acronym of several English words that embody our company's credo and, so to speak, aesthetic ideals: creation, ambition, partnership, philosophy, uniqueness, learning, and opening.
Conceptually, these words (that are also the ingredients for success) express the idea of infinity and are visually reflected in the company’s logo in the form of seven vertical intersecting ovals.
In general, the theme of infinity reflects the conceptual foundation of the brand: it represents the infinity of art and existence; the beauty of the universe and the inner world; a challenge to boredom and routine... This theme inspired the name of one of our first collections.
Can you tell us how you got into making jewelry?
I’ve been interested in everything related to this craft since childhood. I enjoyed designing and crafting rings and earrings from whatever came to hand. But I never got into drawing rings or earrings, and came into jewelry industry by chance. Although I don't believe in chances: everything exists in our universe, and our abilities are proof of that. I come from a family of architects, and we were taught about painting and architecture from childhood, as there were always lots of books on art and architecture at home. To this day, I love simply walking and admiring architectural ensembles and details anywhere on the planet. After graduating from university with a degree in environmental design, I was offered an opportunity to try making jewelry at Smolensk Diamonds. I completed a specialized training course at the Carl Fabergé Decorative and Applied Arts Workshops, got hooked, and that's how I became a jeweler. Much later, I learned that one of my ancestors was a jeweler. He made jewelry and silverware, and he was a master craftsman with his own hallmark. So it wasn't just a hobby, but a true purpose.
How important to you were the first achievements, such as winning in jewelry competitions?
Competitions are essential for understanding your own strengths and whether your work is interesting to others. But the most important thing for me has always been the process of creating a design and jewelry piece; I still consider the birth of a piece of jewelry magical.
I received my first two diplomas at the Russian Diamond Line award in 2019, and I was very inspired and happy. Later in 2022, I won the Gokhran of Russia award and with it came an opportunity to display my work at an exhibition in the State Historical Museum associated with the competition. This was a powerful incentive to develop, to create, and to bring joy to others.
Cappulo Jewelry House has been operational for 15 years. Why did you risk starting a business during challenging times for the industry?
When I realized I was ready to create independently, I knew I wanted to work on my own, and at my own pace, and that's how Cappulo Jewelry House was born. I wanted to breathe fresh air into familiar forms and genres, to develop classical canons in accordance with the new times characterised by dynamics, speed, and endless bright discoveries.
What inspires you?
I've always been inspired by nature. I love the rugged Karelia landscape with its mosses, lichens, boulders, and stern restraint. My husband and I enjoy camping; I love observing plants and animals. Architecture and sculpture remain my childhood inspirations.
Have your tastes and preferences changed over the years?
My tastes and priorities have remained the same. I've always loved creating jewelry in completely different styles, and I'm still interested in exploring completely different methods and styles.
Creating new collections, developing new mechanisms, and creating unusual, imaginative stone cuts.
This is both my work and my hobby. I live for it.
At the same time, I'm inspired and delighted by timeless classics: works by Fabergé, René Lalique, Jar...
What is your clientele and regular customer base?
Our workshop and showroom are located in Moscow. My regular clients are very diverse. We've known each other for years. All our jewelry pieces are made from original designs. We strive to be fashionable and accessible, yet elegant, targeting a discerning audience with a wide range of social backgrounds. Our brand offers a full range of limited-edition jewelry.
I create premium pieces, but I love experimenting and embracing challenges, as this allows me to grow. Most of all, I enjoy the unpredictability of design and its technical execution.
When working on jewelry, you always learn something new and interesting, and making discoveries. For example, the Heavenly Dandelion ring contains 594 natural opals, and when I was preparing it for hallmarking at the Assay Office, I discovered a weight difference of almost a gram! It turns out that opals absorb moisture from the air, and this property causes the weight of a jewelry piece to fluctuate.
What advice would you give to jewelry buyers and customers?
I always recommend listening to your jeweler's advice. For example, what kind of clasp should be used on a bracelet to not just be beautiful, but also secure? A jeweller must consider many factors when creating a piece. Over many years in their profession, they have acquired experience, expertise, and a keen understanding of the technical side of things.
Galina Semyonova, Editor in Chief of the Russian Bureau, Rough&Polished
