Alice Cicolini

The new jewels by Alice Cicolini

Alice Cicolini’s new jewels: the Indian tradition of enamel ♦ ︎

Among the descriptions of herself that Alice Cicolini provides, there is this: former director of Arts & Culture for the British Council in India, she remains closely linked to Indian craftsmanship and design. This is the starting point of one of the most refined designers in London. For example, she uses a technique called champlevé, a glazing tradition that artisans in India prefer to work on 23.5 carat gold, given the softness of the metal it allows a more detailed and expressive work.

Anello Jodhpur in oro 22 carati, smeraldo e smalto
Anello Jodhpur in oro 22 carati, smeraldo e smalto

The enamel, explains Alice, is a combination of earth, pigmented glass and metal, heated to fire and used in the grooves created by the engraving on the metal and then polished with agate stone to create extraordinarily vivid colors. Much jewellery is made in Jaipur, Rajasthan, but for some time much of our work is now made in London by master craftsmen from the city. Following the Indian tradition, Alice Cicolini also uses this technique, with surprising results, alongside the classic precious stones such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds. Like the new pieces that the designer has created, but which always follow her personal style, a bridge between the great India and the West.

Orecchini Memphis kimono candy hoops in oro 14K, lacca, tormalina rosa, ametista, rubino sintetico, granato, zaffiro viola
Memphis kimono candy hoops earrings in 14K gold, lacquer, pink tourmaline, amethyst, synthetic ruby, garnet, purple sapphire
Anello in oro 14 carati, smalto, zaffiro orange
Ring in 14k gold, enamel, orange sapphire
Orecchini Memphis in oro 14 carati, opale di fuoco, lacca
Memphis earrings in 14k gold, fire opal, lacquer
Anello in oro 22 carati, argento, ametista lavanda, lacca
Ring in 22 carat gold, silver, lavender amethyst, lacquer
Anello in oro giallo 22 carati, argento, lacca, crisoprasio, diamanti
Ring in 22k yellow gold, silver, lacquer, chrysoprase, diamonds
Anello in oro giallo 22 carati, smalto vetroso, zaffiri rosa, diamante
Ring in 22k yellow gold, vitreous enamel, pink sapphires, diamond
Orecchini in oro fiallo 9 carati, rubini, zaffiri rosa, tormalina watermelon intagliata a mano, spinello briolette, tornalina rosa
Earrings in 9 carat yellow gold, rubies, pink sapphires, hand-carved watermelon tourmaline, briolette spinel, pink tornaline

The elegant Sari by Alice Cicolini




The sari is the typical female garment worn in India, but also Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal: it consists of a fabric ranging from 4.1 to 8.2 meters in length, which is wrapped around the waist and over the shoulder , partially uncovering the navel. But there are many types of sarees: one of them is called lehariya and inspired the British designer Alice Cicolini, who graduated from Central St. Martins and was also the Director of Arts and Culture for the British Council in India. In fact, colors and shapes of India have always been a source of inspiration for the designer, who, despite her Italian name, is English.

Anello Sari Odisha in oro 14 carati, smalto, granato mandarino
Anello Sari Odisha in oro 14 carati, smalto, granato mandarino

The collection is called Sari and uses 14 karat gold, together with enamel and semi-precious stones, such as garnet, opal, carnelian, but also sapphires. The colors used for the collection reflect those worn by Indian women: bright red, for example, in the tradition of a Hindu wedding sari symbolizes love and couple connection. But the glaze also serves to add geometric patterns like the traditional paisley. Small bird silhouettes make up the shape of stud earrings.
Anello Bandhani in oro 14 carati, granato mandarino, smalto
Anello Bandhani in oro 14 carati, granato mandarino, smalto

Anello Benares in oro 14 carati, granato spessartite, smalto
Anello Benares in oro 14 carati, granato spessartite, smalto
Anello in oro giallo granulato con tormalina rosa e smalto
Anello in oro giallo granulato con tormalina rosa e smalto
Orecchini a bottone a forma di uccello con zaffiro rosa
Orecchini a bottone a forma di uccello con zaffiro rosa
Orecchini Zardozi a bottone con granato e smalto
Orecchini Zardozi a bottone con granato e smalto

Orecchino Mankani con zaffiri rosa e orange
Orecchino Mankani con zaffiri rosa e orange







Auverture opens to vintage




From trendy designers to vintage jewelry from great Maison. Auverture, the website founded by one of the most refined creative women in high jewelery, Bibi Van Der Velden, surprisingly opened the doors to a new genre of proposals. The marketplace, in fact, has inaugurated a section dedicated to vintage jewelry, with pieces also signed by brands such as Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany or Val Cleef & Arpels. They are jewels made in the last century and put back into circulation to be worn again. It is the same kind of jewelry found on sites like 1stdibs, but also, with due proportions, at Sotheby’s or Christie’s. And it is a sign that high quality jewels maintain their value over time, because they continue to have a market.

Anello Dome di Van Cleef & Arpels in oro rosa, diamanti, rubini
Anello Dome di Van Cleef & Arpels in oro rosa, diamanti, rubini

That Auverture proposing these jewels, however, surprised those who considered Bibi Van Der Velden’s site as a space dedicated exclusively to the most innovative contemporary designers, such as Fernando Jorge, Ana Khouri, Bia Tambelli, Venyx, Alice Cicolini, Nikos Koulis , just to name a few. With the support of vintage jewelry, however, Auverture is now able to meet the requests of collectors and design enthusiasts of the past.
Orecchini firmati Bulgari in turchese e oro
Orecchini firmati Bulgari in turchese e oro

Anello di Cartier in palladio e diamante
Anello di Cartier in palladio e diamante
Anello Panthére di David Webb in oro e smeraldi
Anello Panthére di David Webb in oro e smeraldi
Anello Bombé di Tiffany
Anello Bombé di Tiffany
Collana Trika di Bulgari in oro
Collana Trika di Bulgari in oro

Collana di Chaumet
Collana di Chaumet







A design jewelery lottery for Beirut




Six other jewelry designers have decided to help the Lebanese population after the blast in the port of Beirut that caused over 200 deaths, 7,000 injuries and severe damage to much of the city’s infrastructure. The jewelers are all independent and linked to the Auverture website, founded by Bibi van der Velden. Some of them also have Lebanese roots, such as Gaelle Khouri, Noor Fares and Selim Mouzannar. Together with them there are also Daniela Villegas, Alice Cicolini and Bibi van der Velden.

Selim Mouzannar, orecchini in oro rosa 18 carati, diamanti, zaffiri
Selim Mouzannar, orecchini in oro rosa 18 carati, diamanti, zaffiri

The idea is quite original: a lottery that gives away six jewels. Virtual tickets to participate in the lottery cost 50 euros, dollars or pounds. We must hurry, however, because they can only be purchased until August 16th. The winners of the lottery will be chosen on August 17th with a draw. and can be purchased via a special page on the Auverture website.
Gaelle Khouri, anello in oro giallo 18 carati, bronzo, diamanti, zaffiri rosa
Gaelle Khouri, anello in oro giallo 18 carati, bronzo, diamanti, zaffiri rosa

The jewels donated are of different types, but among them there is one that is particularly in tune with the Lebanese tragedy. This is the I Have a Dream ring by Gaelle Khouri in 18k yellow gold, bronze, white diamonds, pink sapphires and tsavorites, made in Lebanon: it represents a carved mutilated hand that symbolizes the suffering of Lebanese citizens that began with the civil war in 1975 .
Anello Big Face in oro lucido di Bibi van der Velden
Anello Big Face in oro lucido di Bibi van der Velden

Anello Eternity in oro grigio e diamanti di Noor Fares
Anello Eternity in oro grigio e diamanti di Noor Fares
Orecchini in argento, oro giallo, lacca, ametista verde di Alice Cicolini
Orecchini in argento, oro giallo, lacca, ametista verde di Alice Cicolini

Anello Spider di Daniela Villegas in oro giallo 18 carati, zaffiri e calcedonio
Anello Spider di Daniela Villegas in oro giallo 18 carati, zaffiri e calcedonio







The British India of Alice Cicolini

By Alice Cicolini a collection dedicated to Italian designer Ettore Sottsass, the Memphis collection, in memory of the design school founded by the architect. The Memphis jewels are made in the UK by Fairtrade metals, and are lacquered with geometric patterns of Memphis.

In spite of the very Italian name, Alice Cicolini (full name: Alice Cicolini Strazzeri) was born in London and is a perfect example of British style, love of tradition and to the exotic appeal of India. What could be more British than afternoon tea and an Indian mezzaro resting on the couch? Or the Alice Cicolini jewelry, made and inspired by the ancient techniques of Jaipur, where she realize his creations. The technique of using enamel on jewelry, called meenakari, is entrusted to one of the last skilled craftsmen of Rajasthan, who worked for the Maharaja. This technique is known in Europe as champleve. Tradition meenakari of enamel also includes metal engraving. In India, artisans prefer to work on a 23.5-carat gold, because it is softer and the use of enamels built traditions are passed down within families as a secret. The enamel is a combination of land, the pigmented glass and metal, then polished with agate stone to create colors extraordinarily vivid and rich. It is most commonly applied to the back of jewelery, where precious stones like diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds are on the line. The meenakari is also known as the Secret, an intimate dialogue with the wearer of the gem.
Interest Alice Cicolini are not focused only on the jewelry: she is in love with the architecture and sacred ancient Silk Road. She is also the author of a book on English dandyism, The New Inglese Dandy, to the publisher Thames & Hudson. And she is also a research associate at the Central St Martins, where she graduated in 2009 with a Masters in Jewellery Design. Finally, she was director of Art & Culture for the British Council in India. Cosimo Muzzano

Bracciale Memphis, in oro laccato
Bracciale Memphis, in oro laccato

Anello Memphis, con oro, argento, tormalina, diamante, ametista
Anello Memphis, con oro, argento, tormalina, diamante, ametista
Anello con argento e peridoto, commercio equo e solidale
Anello con argento e peridoto, commercio equo e solidale
Memphis, anello quadrato in argento e oro Fairtrade, lacca, iolite, zaffiri rosa
Memphis, anello quadrato in argento e oro Fairtrade, lacca, iolite, zaffiri rosa
Memphis, anello con argento, oro Fairtrade, lacca, tormalina, diamante verde
Memphis, anello con argento, oro Fairtrade, lacca, tormalina, diamante verde

Anello Memphis in argento fine, smalto vetroso, ametista, oro, impostazione kundan
Anello Memphis in argento fine, smalto vetroso, ametista, oro, impostazione kundan

Chattri Drop Ring. Oro 18ct lucido, rubino naturale, ametista verde
Chattri Drop Ring. Oro 18ct lucido, rubino naturale, ametista verde

Benares Spot Ring. Oro 22ct, smalto porcellanato laccato, peridoto Cabochon
Benares Spot Ring. Oro 22ct, smalto porcellanato laccato, peridoto Cabochon
Kimono Scimmia Diamond Ring. Oro 22ct, smalto vetroso, diamante, zaffiri rosa e verde, tormalina verde
Kimono Scimmia Diamond Ring. Oro 22ct, smalto vetroso, diamante, zaffiri rosa e verde, tormalina verde
Jodhpur Miniature Leaf Ring. Oro 22ct, smalto vetroso, ametista rosa
Jodhpur Miniature Leaf Ring. Oro 22ct, smalto vetroso, ametista rosa
Kimono orecchini a cerchio. Oro 22ct, smalto vetroso, cerchi 18ct oro, opale lucido bianco
Kimono orecchini a cerchio. Oro 22ct, smalto vetroso, cerchi 18ct oro, opale lucido bianco
Collana Cluster Kimono pendant. Oro 22ct, smalto vetroso, diamanti gialli, opale lucido bianco e una perla di Tahiti Winterson. Catena in oro giallo con canna chiusura
Collana Cluster Kimono pendant. Oro 22ct, smalto vetroso, diamanti gialli, opale lucido bianco e una perla di Tahiti Winterson. Catena in oro giallo con canna chiusura
Summer Snow, orecchini a cerchio. Oro giallo, bianco pavé di diamanti, realizzato a mano, ametista verde, cristallo di rocca, quarzo rosa e nuvoloso quarzo rosa, tormalina e calcedonio briolettes
Summer Snow, orecchini a cerchio. Oro giallo, bianco pavé di diamanti, realizzato a mano, ametista verde, cristallo di rocca, quarzo rosa e nuvoloso quarzo rosa, tormalina e calcedonio briolettes
Summer Snow Hair Jewel. Oro 18ct vermeil argentato, diamanti bianchi, ametiste intagliate a mano, ametista verde, quarzo rosa, quarzo e cristallo di rocca di rosa, con morganite centrale, tormaline, topazi, zaffiri e ametiste, quarzo lemon, tormalina rosa e calcedonio briolettes
Summer Snow Hair Jewel. Oro 18ct vermeil argentato, diamanti bianchi, ametiste intagliate a mano, ametista verde, quarzo rosa, quarzo e cristallo di rocca di rosa, con morganite centrale, tormaline, topazi, zaffiri e ametiste, quarzo lemon, tormalina rosa e calcedonio briolettes

The wonders of Alice

In between summer and winter (at least in the name) Summer Snow, the new collection by Alice Cicolini,  is however the pretty bright imaginable. There is the vermeil metal, silver 18-carat gold-plated, shapede in intricate lines that look like vines, and instead of the leaves, there are transparent daisies with a double corolla in rose quartz and cloudy rose quartz, green amethyst and rock crystal. Pastel colors taken from Monet’s paintings, are livened up by bright pistils in topaz, tourmalines, sapphires, morganites and chalcedony briolette cut, the inspiration of the disc like a pleated corolla came out from the basis of the Indian temples pillars, and the overall design with cascading flowers along the body is the same of Japanese kimonos. In short, there is a geographical mix and match in these jewelry whose name evokes the flurry of pollen of Moscow poplars during this season, while the stones were handcarved by Jaipur based artisans in India, the same people who for years collaborated with the British designer. Since, in 2007, she saw a jewelry box belonged to a Maharani (name for the wife of Maharaja) and decided to start creating jewelry. Here the pictures of the collection. Matilde de Bounvilles

Cerchietto gioiello collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con quarzo rosa e rosa polvere, ametista, ametista verde e cristallo di rocca con al centro morganite, tormalina, topazio, zaffiro, ametista, quarzo lemon, tormalina rosa e calcedonio briolette
Cerchietto gioiello collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con quarzo rosa e rosa polvere, ametista, ametista verde e cristallo di rocca con al centro morganite, tormalina, topazio, zaffiro, ametista, quarzo lemon, tormalina rosa e calcedonio briolette
Anello collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con ametista verde, quarzo rosa e diamante
Anello collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con ametista verde, quarzo rosa e diamante
Orecchini collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con ametista verde, quarzo rosa, cristallo di rocca, tormaline e calcedonio taglio briolette
Orecchini collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con ametista verde, quarzo rosa, cristallo di rocca, tormaline e calcedonio taglio briolette
Spilla collezione Summer Snow in vermeil  con quarzo rosa polvere e tormalina
Spilla collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con quarzo rosa polvere e tormalina
Bracciale collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con ametista verde, quarzo rosa e quarzo rosa polvere, cristallo di rocca, tormalina, zaffiro e topazio
Bracciale collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con ametista verde, quarzo rosa e quarzo rosa polvere, cristallo di rocca, tormalina, zaffiro e topazio
Spilla collezione Summer Snow in vermeil  con cristallo di rocca, ametista e e tormalina
Spilla collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con cristallo di rocca, ametista e e tormalina

Alice Cicolini

Spilla collezione Summer Snow in vermeil  con cristallo di rocca e tormalina
Spilla collezione Summer Snow in vermeil con cristallo di rocca e tormalina