How Do You Recognise a Well-Made Object? Tell Us Yours

A logo tells you who sold an object. It doesn't tell you how it was made. That is why we are opening this space for conversation: to talk about real quality, the kind you can see and touch, and to hear about your experience.

We'll start, with what we have learned in over fifty years of work: L'Officiel Roma was born in Naples in 1969 and today makes Made in Italy accessories in Rome and Como.

Five signs of a well-made object

1. Turn it over. The reverse doesn't lie. In a silk scarf with deep-penetration printing the colour goes right through the fabric and the back looks almost identical to the front; with surface printing the back looks faded.
2. Ask about the weight of the silk. It is measured in momme: the higher it is, the more body the silk has and the longer it lasts. Our scarves are in 14 momme silk, except the lightweight silk line.
3. Look at the finishing. Even hems, clean corners, no loose threads. On our scarves the corners are finished by hand and the perimeter by machine.
4. With jewelry, ask what is under the plating. Nickel-free metals and a declared plating thickness (we use one-micron 18k gold) make the difference between a piece that lasts and one that changes colour in a few weeks. In a quality pearl necklace there is a hand-tied knot between each pearl.
5. Ask where it was made, not just where it was designed. "Made in Italy" has value when the work is really done in Italy. We say where: our scarves are made in Como, Italy's silk district.

Your turn: join the discussion

We'd love to know what you think. Answer one of these questions in the comments below:

• Which Italian object have you owned the longest, and why do you still keep it?
• How do you tell whether an accessory is well made, before you buy it?
• Have you ever paid a lot for something and been disappointed by its quality?

We read every comment and reply personally. Comments are published after a quick review, to keep the conversation useful and respectful.

Why we talk about this

Many big brands invest mainly in advertising the logo. We chose to invest in the product and to put the person who uses it at the centre. Talking openly about quality is the most honest way to do that. Read our philosophy or see our silk scarves.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise a quality silk scarf?
Look at the reverse: with deep-penetration printing the colour goes through the fabric and the back looks almost the same as the front. The weight of the silk in momme and the care of the hems also matter.

What does momme mean?
It is the unit of measure for the weight of silk. A 14 momme silk has more body and strength than a lightweight silk.

How do you recognise jewelry that won't change colour?
Ask about the base metal (ideally nickel-free) and the thickness of the plating. A declared plating, for example one-micron 18k gold, is a good sign.