Born in the 1990s, Reborn for Today's Game
When Renzo Longoni developed the Collection Lux in the early 1990s, he set out to create the crown jewel of the octagonal cue line. It earned the title "the queen of the Octagonal Longoni cues," and for good reason. Decades later, the XX edition carries that legacy forward with URAL wood construction, VP2 joint technology, and the same hand-chiseled 925 sterling silver soul that defined the original.
This cue serves two purposes equally well: it is a high-performance playing instrument and a collector-grade piece of Italian art. That duality is rare in any market, but it makes perfect sense coming from Longoni, a family-owned company founded in 1945 in Mariano Comense, Como, Italy, by Alessandro Longoni. Over 80 years of continuous Italian craftsmanship stand behind every cue they produce. Hundreds of thousands of players worldwide still play with Longoni cues purchased more than 50 years ago, a testament to the brand's legendary durability.
The XX Edition Upgrade: What Changed and Why It Matters
The "XX edition" label isn't just a cosmetic refresh. It marks a meaningful material evolution introduced in fall 2019: the butt is now constructed with URAL wood, replacing the exotic wood materials used in the original 1990s design.
URAL wood is Longoni's proprietary material, built on a foundation of European hornbeam. The raw wood undergoes an innovative treatment process involving alternating cycles of pressurization and depressurization. This allows a deep, ebony-like black stain to penetrate far into the grain rather than sitting on the surface. The result is striking: natural wood grain patterns are highlighted with a depth and character that solid-painted or surface-stained finishes simply cannot replicate. Every Collection Lux XX butt has its own unique visual fingerprint.
There's a sustainability story here, too. European hornbeam is locally sourced and abundant. Longoni's deep-staining process achieves the rich, dark look traditionally associated with endangered ebony, without harvesting protected species. For eco-conscious buyers, this is a meaningful distinction.
What the XX edition preserves is just as important as what it changes. The hand-chiseled 925 sterling silver hardware and the signature octagonal handle remain intact, connecting the modern cue directly to its 1990s roots. The butt material and joint system also benefit from decades of refined manufacturing. Longoni introduced CNC machines in 1995 to enhance precision while keeping artisan craftsmanship at the core of production. The XX edition sits at the intersection of that philosophy: machine-calibrated tolerances paired with handwork that no machine can replicate.
925 Sterling Silver Hardware: The Art of Hand-Chiseling
Every metal component on the Collection Lux XX, including the joint collar and buttcap, is made from real 925 sterling silver. This is not plated metal. It is not stamped. It is solid silver, shaped by hand.
The technique used is called chasing (sometimes referred to as hand-chiseling). Artisans use hardened steel tools to push and shape the silver from the surface, creating raised relief patterns. Unlike engraving, which removes material, chasing displaces it. The silver is sculpted rather than cut. This produces depth, texture, and a three-dimensional quality that machine-stamped parts cannot match. Each Collection Lux XX carries subtle, unique marks from the artisan's hand.
This level of metalwork is what earns the cue its place in Longoni's Silver Line, governed by the "Silver dressed Italian art" philosophy. The silver hardware is complemented by a carefully curated palette of materials: stained birdseye maple, ebony handle and points, olive wood rings, and oval coral inlays. Together, these elements reflect an Italian luxury design sensibility that treats the cue as both a functional tool and a visual statement.
For players who value their cues as collectible objects, the Collection Lux XX delivers something genuinely rare: a cue you can play hard with on league night and display proudly in your game room the rest of the week.
The Octagonal Handle: Ergonomics Behind the Signature Shape
The octagonal handle is the most immediately recognizable feature of the Collection Lux series. It looks distinctive, but its value goes well beyond aesthetics.
The eight flat facets provide consistent tactile feedback that round handles cannot offer. When you grip the cue, you can feel its rotational position between shots. This awareness helps maintain consistent hand placement and cue alignment, which directly supports stroke repeatability. It's a subtle advantage, but experienced players notice it immediately.
Grip security is another practical benefit. During power shots or in humid playing conditions, round handles can become slippery. The octagonal geometry gives your bridge hand and grip hand more surface contact and friction, reducing the chance of unwanted rotation during the stroke. The shape bridges form and function: it looks like nothing else on the table, and it plays with a confidence-building solidity that round profiles don't provide.
Choosing Your Shaft: S2 vs. S20 Wood — Which Suits Your Game?
The Collection Lux XX is offered with two shaft options through the VP2 joint: the Longoni S2 and the Longoni S20 Wood. This choice matters, and it's worth understanding the differences before you buy.
The S20 Wood shaft is built from 20 highly selected slices of Quebec/Canadian hard rock maple, laminated together for exceptional stability. It features an American pool shaft profile with low-deflection performance, making it ideal for players who want a traditional wood feel combined with modern consistency. The lamination process minimizes warping and ensures the shaft responds predictably across varying humidity and temperature conditions.
The S2 shaft is Longoni's alternative laminated option, suited to players who prefer different tip diameter specifications or have a playing style that benefits from its particular flex profile. Both shafts are premium-tier offerings within Longoni's lineup.
Connecting these shafts to the butt is the VP2 joint, introduced by Longoni in 2004. This universal metal joint is compatible across all Longoni cues and delivers quick locking and unlocking, a firm connection for efficient energy transfer, strong resistance to humidity and wear, and precise butt-to-shaft alignment. Because the VP2 is universal, Collection Lux XX owners can upgrade or swap shafts over time without replacing the butt. Your butt section appreciates as a collectible while your shaft choice evolves with your game.
For context, the S20 shaft in its carom variant is priced around $325 on its own, which puts the Collection Lux XX's $450 price point in perspective. You're getting hand-chiseled 925 silver, URAL wood construction, and a premium shaft for a price that reflects genuine value relative to the craftsmanship involved.
As an authorized Longoni dealer, we carry the Collection Lux XX and can help you select the right shaft configuration for your playing discipline and style. If you're unsure which shaft suits your game, reach out to our team for personalized guidance.
Caring for Your Collection Lux XX: Protecting a Silver and URAL Wood Investment
A cue built with 925 sterling silver and URAL wood deserves thoughtful care. Here are the essentials for keeping your Collection Lux XX in peak condition for years to come.
- Silver care: Avoid harsh chemical cleaners on the joint collar and buttcap. A soft silver polishing cloth is all you need to maintain their luster. Store the cue in a low-humidity environment to minimize tarnish.
- URAL wood care: The deep-stained surface benefits from occasional light conditioning with a quality wood conditioner. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or extreme temperature swings, which can stress the treated grain over time.
- VP2 joint maintenance: Keep the metal joint threads clean and apply a light lubricant periodically. The VP2's built-in humidity resistance is a significant advantage, but a quick inspection before and after play ensures optimal energy transfer.
- Storage: A quality hard cue case is essential. It protects the silver hardware from contact damage and shields the octagonal profile from dings. Proper storage preserves both the cue's playability and its long-term value as a collectible instrument.
Our relationship with you doesn't end at the point of sale. Taking care of your Collection Lux XX means protecting a piece of Italian craftsmanship that can last decades, just like the Longoni cues still in play after 50-plus years.
The Longoni Collection Lux XX: A Cue Worth Playing and Owning
The Collection Lux XX occupies a rare position in the pool cue market. It is a professional-grade playing instrument built with 80 years of Italian manufacturing expertise, and it is a collector-worthy art object featuring hand-chiseled sterling silver, URAL wood, and coral inlays. Very few cues can honestly claim both identities.
The global high-end pool cues market was valued at approximately $2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2033, growing at a rate of 7.2% annually. Participation in organized cue-sports leagues has increased by 12% in recent years, and demand for premium, personalized equipment continues to climb. The Collection Lux XX sits squarely in the center of that momentum.
At Billiard City, we're proud to be an authorized Longoni dealer. We ship from our own warehouse in Boca Raton, FL, with free shipping on US orders over $99. Our Longoni lineup ranges from $315 to over $2,375, and our team (rated 4.7 stars by our customers) is here to help you find the right cue for your game.
Explore our full Longoni collection, or contact us directly if you'd like help choosing between the S2 and S20 shaft options for the Collection Lux XX. We're happy to talk cues with you.