History

The company was established in 1966 under the name Arata Fratelli and had at that time a very innovative production for their shapes, colors, and materials. The founder, Aldo Arata, trained with the great goldsmith Carlo Barberis and acquired from him the necessary experience to start the business. Aldo also completed his apprenticeship in a workshop where he was involved in various processes, including platinum.

In 1977, after the crisis of the gold market, the brand Mobile was also founded for the processing of platinum: the choice of this material was prompted by its greater economic efficiency as compared to gold. The new platinum collection was officially announced at a meeting in Stresa, where 51 jewelers were invited. Since then, platinum has become the company's core business, identifying the brand with its processing. In 1990 Arata Fratelli and Mobile split up; later Arata would eventually close.

At the beginning of the activity Aldo Arata dealt mainly with the design of models on paper; later, with the introduction of computer programs, he started relying on digital technologies for platinum needed a suitable technology to support its processings. These technologies, although semi-unknown in Italy, were already in use in Germany and Japan thanks to dentistry. In that period the firm Mobile undertook commercial relations mainly with Japan, Northern Europe, Germany and England.

At the same time Aldo Arata also followed an institutional career: he collaborated in the founding of the Italian Gemological Institute; he graduated as a gemologist and created an entire collection of 'alternative' gems (e.g. Alexandrite, Tanzanite, Imperial Topaz). These stones, which were initially inexpensive, became very popular and appreciated.

The preferred lines in the '60s were the diamond ones; at that time Aldo Arata designed for De Beers. This allowed him to take part in various competitions, including that of Gioiello Inedito in Valenza, which he won nearly always.

At the peak of its development and until 2008 Mobile had a team of 40 people. In these years the biggest crisis is linked to September 11, 2001 when, after having signed an agreement with a multinational company, its members died on the plane shot down on the Pentagon and with them the planned investments.

Today the customers, especially in Italy, are of a mid-to-high profile.

It should not be forgotten, however, that Mobile has also supplied jewelry for the English royal house.

Throughout its history, it has developed important partnerships around the world, some of which have lasted for over 20 years: De Beers (the world's leading diamond producer), Platinum Guild (world association of platinum producers), Lazare Kaplan International ("ideal cut ®" diamond sightholder, USA), Connoisseur (Rapaport distribution company, USA), Rosy Blue (diamond sightholder, India), Pluczenik Group (diamond sightholder, Belgium). For those partners, Mobile performs the entire production cycle: starting from the idea and ending with the product.

Today, thanks to the collaboration developed with the Polytechnic of Turin, it produces platinum items with a hardness that is greater than that of white gold (white gold, unlike platinum, is destined to turn yellow over time so it needs a periodic galvanic - rhodium-plating - treatment that makes it a color similar to platinum).

The Everlasting collection by Mobile is born: platinum jewelry more resistant to scratches and characterized by a brightness that will last over time.

Many personalities from the world of entertainment have worn Mobile jewelry. Some collections, for example, were developed especially for the Europa Cinema festival.

For the Busto Arsizio competition, Aldo Arata created a Diva ring with a different central stone depending on the award-winning actress's hair color.

Today cufflinks that are exact reproductions of the ancient coins of the Italian Mint are produced. 

 

Archive

Most of the documentation preserved dates back to around 1970. Like for other similar archives, rubber molds and vile metal models are stored in air-conditioned rooms. All moulds are numbered. Other materials such as drawings are stored in ringed folders. Part of the documentation (drawings, photographs and customer data) has been digitized.

 

The main series identified are:                                                                                            

- Press review: 4 volumes

- Technical catalogs: a few dozen, with indications of the reference to the moulds

- Drawings: 8 volumes of paper drawings; from the 90s computer drawings stored on external media.

- Silver and alpaca models

- Photographs: both printed and digital

- Advertising material (brochures, catalogs), 1970 approx. - 2016

- Customer data: 2 cabinets

- data sheets: digital

 

Sources

W. Fochesato, R. Massola, Gioielli su carta. Ricchezze dorate fra disegni e cartoline: da Valenza all’Italia, Interlinea, Novara 2018, reproduced drawing on page 64

Lia Lenti, Gioielli e gioiellieri di Valenza, Arte e storia 1825-1975, Allemandi, Turin 1994, Descriptive item