Vicente Gracia

Jewellery maker

©Vicente Gracia

The poet of jewellery making

Vicente tells stories through his jewellery
His creations are an explosion of colour
He is heavily influenced by the culture of Valencia

Born in Valencia, Vicente Gracia is the son of a jeweller who restored the heirlooms of the city’s aristocracy. He studied design at the prestigious Massana School in Barcelona, where his professors included Joan Mirò and Antoni Tapies. He then returned to his hometown to carry on the family tradition. His vision for his jewellery is deeply Mediterranean, yet also draws on the melting pot of cultures and traditions in his home region, including the Sufi poetry that is part of Islamic-Hispanic culture. His jewellery tells stories and hides secrets, using brightly coloured stones including fire opals, which remind him of the bonfires and fireworks of Valencia’s traditional festival, las Fallas, and turquoise, the colour of the Mediterranean.

Interview

©Vicente Gracia

©Vicente Gracia

What is alchemy for you?: It is what I like most about what I do. Alchemy stands for transformation, and often, when I start the process of creating a piece of jewellery, it happens because of the effect that a poem I’ve read or listened to has had on me. It's about achieving an emotional reaction through my creations.
Why did you want to take up this profession?: It was my vocation to become a jewellery designer, and not only because of my family background. I envisioned creating and making one-of-a-kind pieces, which tell stories, evoking poetry and giving joy.
Is your work strongly influenced by where you live?: Definitely. I grew up in Valencia, which is a melting pot of cultures. We are in the Mediterranean but with a strong connection to the Silk Route, the legacy of Sufi poetry and the Arab-Andalusian identity. Look at the architecture: our shop has a mix of elements, inspired by the Alhambra.
What defines your jewellery?: I envision my pieces of jewellery as having a soul while respecting the craft and the manual work that goes into each of them. Your hands have a sort of energy, a soul. Once an editor told me that my jewellery was happy, full of light and joy.

Vicente Gracia is a master artisan: she began her career in 1984 and she started teaching in 1990