Beretta’s journey in creating one-of-a-kind pieces dedicated to its 500 years of history continues with a new expression of design and manufacturing excellence. This latest creation pays tribute to the 92FS, arguably the most recognizable icon in the history of the Brescia-based company.
Chambered in 9x19, the 92FS Diamond is a unique masterpiece, a creation intended to transcend time and materials to embody the very essence of luxury: the diamond. A rare jewel in the form of a pistol, it was conceived as a work of art for those who recognize beauty in its purest and most exclusive form.
Carlo Gussalli Beretta, PB Selection Business Development Manager at Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A., commented: “In 2010, Beretta created the 92 Diamond – a unique piece featuring 1193 gem-set stones, for a total of 90 carats. The solid base was our 92 FS semi-automatic pistol, the legendary sidearm adopted by many police corps and armies worldwide. This piece is kept in the Beretta Private Collection and always attracts a lot of interest from visitors. We decided to create a contemporary version of this masterpiece, a tribute to extreme luxury – but keeping the elegance and modern design that made Italy and the Beretta 92 the cultural icons they are still today.”
92FS Diamond: diamonds and white gold for a one-of-a-kind masterpiece
The sculpted lines of the 92FS Diamond draw inspiration from the geometry of a diamond, with sharp edges, faceted surfaces and volumes shaped to capture and reflect light across the frame, slide, hammer, trigger guard and magazine base plate. A particularly distinctive example can be seen in the slide serrations: generated by the geometric pattern machined into the sides, they evolve from truncated pyramids into a more pronounced and sharply defined form, creating a seamless fusion of function and aesthetics.
The grip panels are machined from solid blocks of white gold and each features 144 individually set natural diamonds, applied through an extraordinarily complex process. The same approach was used for four white-gold inserts, where triangular-cut diamonds are harmoniously integrated into the frame and slide. Two small round diamonds also embellish the rear sight. In total, this special creation incorporates 335 grams of 18-karat gold and 14.5 carats of diamonds, an exceptional composition in which technical craftsmanship meets the purest expression of high jewelry.
As Marco Martelli, Head of Design, explains:
“Simply applying diamonds to a 92 was not what we were looking for. That had already been done with the old 92 Diamond. This time, the intention was to develop an all-round aesthetic inspired by the way light reflects off precious gems. So how could we evoke the idea of diamonds in the design of the pistol without distorting the iconic lines of the 92? The multifaceted shapes of diamonds were the general inspiration for creating a geometric pattern on the metal parts, which allowed the stones to be integrated naturally without disrupting the shapes. The iconic features of the gun were meticulously enriched with bevels and facets to create harmony and become part of the unique design of this pistol.”
A genuine industrial design and engineering challenge, the project required an in-depth study of every surface and geometry. The development process involved advanced research, rigorous technical validation and sophisticated manufacturing methods, all with the goal of preserving the inherent reliability of the Beretta 92 while redefining its aesthetics.
Emanuele Cecchel, PB Selection Platform Manager, adds: “A huge design challenge was developing the inserts guaranteeing on one hand the robustness of the gun and on the other the possibility to disassemble the inserts for future maintenance. The lines created required exploring new machining technologies from other industries, such as watchmaking.”
Built entirely from steel, the 92FS Diamond reaches its highest expression inside the PB Selection Atelier in Gardone Val Trompia. There, through time, precision and the hands of master gunsmiths, every component is fitted and finished with meticulous care until every surface achieves an impeccable mirror polish, transforming light itself into an element of the design.
To commemorate Beretta’s unique 500-year milestone, an exclusive 500th Anniversary logo is engraved on the corner of the slide, while a gold detail on the top recalls the first spark struck in Bartolomeo’s forge, a flame that still burns today. The signature of Pietro Beretta, the first member of the family to introduce fine gunmaking into the company’s history, runs along the barrel and complements the PB shield elegantly carved into the diamond-covered grip panels.
The Beretta 92FS Diamond joins the other one-of-a-kind creations unveiled by Beretta to celebrate its 500th anniversary, including the NARP Titan in 6.5 Grendel and the SO10 EELL History over-and-under shotgun.
Like those creations, the 92FS Diamond is an entirely unique and unconventional piece for which no price has been announced.
