Fortunato Pio Castellani opened a jewelry store in Rome in 1814. He was inspired by his friend, historian and artist Michelangelo Caetani, to replicate ancient goldsmithing techniques. In 1836, Castellani was invited to study the jewelry unearthed from the Etruscan Regolini-Galassi tombs. Fortunato Pio and his sons Augusto and Alessandro continued to research and revive the ancient granulation and wirework techniques used in ancient Roman pieces and incorporated micromosaics, scarabs and cameos in the designs. Castellani jewelry increased in popularity as the archaeological revival styles of the Victorian era were in vogue in the 1860s and 1870s. The company participated in several world’s fairs and the stores became a shopping destination for tourists visiting Italy.