The Timeless Masterpiece
SCROLL
Gracefully decorated with precious stones and crystalline Osmium, the scroll includes some sophisticated construction details that are not immediately noticeable.
RIBS
To ensure perfect functionality without giving up decorative elements in structurally sensitive areas, the Osmium Violin has been reinforced with a thin layer of carbon fiber.
BACK
The most precious detail is the lower tip of the upper inlay, the largest crystalline Osmium element in the entire instrument.
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Annika Starc - Teatro Ponchielli, Cremona (Italy)
The Secret lies in the Details
Experience. Continuous Learning. Passion.
Combining the great Masters of the past Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri, Andrea Amati with the most innovative techniques, Edgar Russ has been able to create the Osmium Violin throughtout 32 months.
Every step of the construction process has taken place in Edgar Russ’ workshop, in the heart of Cremona, Italy.
Feel eternity in your hands
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Edgar Russ is an internationally renowned violinmaker, celebrated for crafting unique, high-quality instruments that combine traditional Italian craftsmanship with a deep understanding of musicians’ needs. Born in Austria in 1966, Edgar grew up as the youngest of five children in a vibrant, artistic family. Creativity was a daily practice in the Russ household: his mother, an artist herself, encouraged her children to explore sewing, drawing, designing, woodworking, and music. Surrounded by this energy, Edgar developed an early fascination with sound and construction.
By the age of 11, he was already building his first instruments, attracted by the magic of shaping raw materials into tools of expression. Driven by curiosity and determination, at just 17 years old, Edgar moved to Cremona, Italy, the capital of Violinmaking, to pursue his dream. There, he studied at the world-famous International Violinmaking School “Antonio Stradivari”, graduating after the guidance of master luthier Riccardo Bergonzi.
Eager to expand his expertise, Edgar also traveled to the United States, where he trained with renowned American violinmakers including Paul and Carl Becker. These formative experiences shaped his unique style: a blend of Cremonese tradition, modern precision, and an open-minded approach to sound optimization. His time in the U.S. was a turning point that deepened his focus on tonal excellence and attention to detail.
In 1990, Edgar opened his first workshop in Cremona. Eventually, in pursuit of full artistic freedom, he established his own independent studio in Via Maura Macchi, in the heart of Cremona’s historic center. It is here that Edgar continues to build instruments that are both visually striking and acoustically superior, collaborating with professional musicians, collectors, and music lovers from around the world.
Edgar’s dedication to his craft and his tireless pursuit of perfection have earned him prestigious commissions. Among the most remarkable is the violin he created in 2012 for Bin Said Qaboos, Sultan of Oman, an extraordinary piece decorated with 427 diamonds, 70 rubies, and 70 tsavorites, all set in gold. Edgar’s promise remained focused: the instrument would sound exceptional. That promise was fulfilled and personally praised by the Sultan a year after delivery.
In 2023, Edgar created his most ambitious instrument yet: The Osmium Violin, crafted with the rarest and densest metal on Earth. It is considered the most precious violin ever made, a true symbol of the fusion between innovation, rarity, and artistic mastery. In a world that often values speed over quality, Edgar Russ stays true to the heart of what makes a violin great: soul, sound and the hands of the Maker who loves to listen.
Owning a finely crafted, decorated musical instrument is much more than a financial investment—it is a celebration of taste, style, and a deep love for music.
A passion for every form of art is one of the most common traits among wealthy individuals, collectors, and connoisseurs. Each of us has a passion that often involves the search for, and acquisition of, specific items—driven by the desire to find them, purchase them, and ultimately become their rightful owner, adding them to a cherished collection. Wine, cognac, whisky, motorcycles, cars, pipes, cigars, porcelain, watches, jewelry, and many more are just some examples.
Since the very origin of bowed string instruments, violins have always been among the most prized collectibles. Beyond the beauty of a simple violin, it has always been a superbly handcrafted artistic object with a rich history, inspiring scientific research in physics, chemistry, and craftsmanship to unlock its function and its miraculous sound.
Many owners of the finest-sounding violins do not play them themselves—but they delight in listening to their instruments being performed on by great musicians, which nurtures their passion for classical music. This passion only grows when they experience how steadily the value of their collectibles increases over time.
Indeed, there are many forms of investment, each requiring its own expertise, specialist advice, and having its own performance patterns. Some skyrocket, while others grow slowly but steadily.
Violins stand out in a world that seems to accelerate more every day. New temptations arise constantly, with some investments promising the impossible.
Violins are quite the opposite—because they have a remarkably steady rate of value appreciation. As long as the instrument is known, and verified by experts, to have been made by a specific maker, it holds its position as a secure and prestigious asset.
Master Edgar Russ, who has dedicated his life exclusively to crafting great-sounding bowed string instruments since starting at the age of 15, may well be the first violin maker with the courage and self-confidence to confront the question of authenticity head-on. By building the Osmium Violin, he aims to break the unspoken divide between antique and contemporary instruments.
No one can predict the future, but we do know how the past has performed. Italian violins have delivered an average annual return of almost 7%, ranking among the top three investments of the past 100 years with 2.5% annual growth in value. Over that same period, stocks have ranked first with 5.2% per year, followed by fine wine at 3.7%, postage stamps at 2.6%, and rare violins at 2.5%.
Of course, these numbers cannot match the meteoric rise of cryptocurrencies or other exceptional short-term opportunities. Yet the satisfaction of owning an outstanding instrument like the Osmium Violin, and one day passing it on to the next generation, must be immense—especially as it stands alone in the rare violin world for its innovation and guaranteed authenticity, certified by its living maker, Master Edgar Russ.
