Logo, Marking and Grading

Logo and marking

The silhouette of a red-crowned queen is the brand logo and it appears on an oval steel generally placed on the mouthpiece. The brand’s name and the “Handmade Italy” signature are usually marked on the shank.

For aesthetic or technical reason, sometimes one of the two marks can be omitted.

Grading

Our smooth briar pipes are classified according to their grain’s quality. An extra label is marked on the bottom of the shank following these criterias:

3 crowns: briar with a beautiful flamed grain, may present a few tiny sandspots
4 crowns: straight grain / bird’s eye, may present a few tiny sandspots
5 crowns: straight grain / bird’s eye, briar free from perceptible imperfections
6 crowns: very straight grain (angel hair)/ wonderful bird’s eye, briar free from perceptible imperfections

We would like to specify that pipe’s final price is strongly influenced by its grain degree, but this is not the only factor. Price depends also by the complexity of the shape’s realization, by the presence of rings or other precious inserts, by the size of the pipe and the refinement of the finish.

Special Series

“Special Pipes” are marked by an extra red star placed on the oval logo beside the shape of the Scarlet Queen. These pipes are characterized by a freehand, or by the use of uncommon rare materials.