Flipping through the “golden book” of commissions by Alessio and Patrizio Berti, one retraces almost 30 years of activity of the family workshop in Scandicci, just outside Florence. Here, stones are still worked as proudly done by their father and even earlier by their grandfather, the founder of a craft tradition that the Berti family has in their blood and passes down to new generations. «At our workshop, you start with an apprenticeship: it’s only then that you understand if you’re made for a tough trade, which requires great concentration and allows no mistakes due to the high cost of precious raw materials», says Patrizio Berti, his eyes reflecting an endless love for his work. One could talk with him for hours about the details and processes. «Fashion has particular timings and demands, which every day put us in front of new challenges: buckles with stones set in gold, micro-mosaics inspired by Japan or Ancient Rome. Technology helps us about 40%, the rest is all done by hand. However, some processes can only be done thanks to specific machines that allow precise cuts in small sizes». This expertise is also reflected in the vast catalog, which includes over 70 types of stones and 40 types of wood. «We also receive orders from shipyards and architectural firms: among the latest ‘mad projects’ realized for a residence in Saudi Arabia is a table with 45 seats, each characterized by a mosaic inlay depicting a bouquet of flowers. More than a piece of furniture, a work of art».