The whole process of making the Ballon d’Or, is it actually made of gold? (Photo)

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“Golden Ball” is the most prestigious trophy for a football player.

Delivered for the first time by the French magazine “France Football” in 1956, “Ballon d’Or” is produced by “Mellerio dits Meller”, the famous jeweler, founded in 1613.

With a rich experience in the art Mellerio family  has produced over the centuries ornaments of royal courts across Europe, we can mention also the religious silverware, ceremonial swords, ornaments and trophies.

One of the most famous sporting trophies made from this jewelry is the Coupe des Mousquetaires , which is given to the champion of tennis tournament French Open.

“For the production of this wonderful trophy are needed many hours,” says François Mellerio, explaining the work done for the “Golden Ball”. “It is a process that involves several masters: jeweler, writer, engraver, receiver and polishing.

All are the best at what they do and we are extremely proud to create this legendary trophy. ” Football has changed a lot since Alberto Di Stefano won the “Ball” first in 1956, but the trophy itself has remained almost the same.

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It consists two hemispheres of brass, which take the form by hitting with hammer from the opposite sides. Then the two parts are welded by the goldsmith with blowtorch. After the ball goes to carver, who fills the ball with tar. With chisel and hammer, he follows the lines made with pencil on the polished metal surface and forms the seams of the ball.

Once work ends, they remove the tar and return it to the goldsmith where they polishe and engrave FIFA Ballon d’Or logo. In the last stage of the process, they put the trophy in melted gold.

Measuring 31 centimeters wide and 23 in the two dimensions of the base, five kilograms of 18 carat art “Golden Ball” is ready to be given to the winners, whose name is engraved on the trophy just after the award ceremony. His name is  written in a plate attached to the base.

  

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