“My jewelry is a reflection of traditions”,

explains Valencia-based jeweler Vicente Gracia, as he muses over the latest collection he has created for CoutureLab. Once described as a "jewelry poet", Vicente Gracia is one of Spain’s leading jewelers – bringing a unique depth to contemporary jewelry design, he manages to enrich each of his creations with magical or historical themes. Captivating us with his bejeweled stories, he looks to elements from ancient tales or medieval myths for inspiration, whilst devoting his creative efforts to recovering the symbolic meaning of precious stones.

“The catharsis of jewels begins with a poetic whisper”

In appearance Gracia cuts an amiable figure and seems more like a beloved Spanish uncle than a master of fine jewelry, but once the conversation turns to his work, his creative passion is laid bare. His design philosophy is as complex as it is artistic: "The catharsis of jewels begins with a poetic whisper which then passes to an investigation process to provide a piece of sincere truth", explains Gracia. A concept that seems inconceivable as a jewelry piece is somehow approached with ease by the artist, whose work is regularly chosen by Christie’s as part of the biannual Contemporary Jewelry and Watches event.

With a melting pot of cultures and goldsmith traditions, the city of Valencia inspires Gracia’s creative passion. Referencing the Reconquista of Spain, he incorporates a hybrid of styles from the history books into his work, reinventing Mudejar* symbols, architectural shapes and poetry into jewels. This emblem captures a continuous theme in Gracia’s work.

The Valencian icon, which was found, painted on a medieval ceramic, shows musk deer as the divine wisdom, flanking the tree of life in the garden of paradise. The emblem is decorated with Mudejar circular borders, which are said to bestow blessings. Emblems like these reflect the essence of Vicente Gracia’s ambitions: "to recreate Paradise, but beyond religious importance; something truly sacred".

Maya Diamond Necklace

The “Maya” necklace was inspired by the Alhambra palace in Granada, where the Arabic kings of Spain once resided. The ceiling of the ornate palace is decorated with intricate carvings, including an illustration of the stars of Heaven, as described in Dante’s Divine Comedy. Vicente Gracia has recreated this in a spectacular display of white, brown and black diamonds set in silver armor mesh. The main diamond at the center is a spectacular 5.5 carats.

Opulent and lavish, diamonds have always held their ground as a symbol of luxury.

Although they feature within Gracia’s bold settings, it isn’t always the diamonds that take center stage. Other rare stones, such as moonstone, colored sapphires, fire opal, pearls, turquoise or even crystal enamel, are more attached to the ancient world; these gems display the unique characteristics that give Gracia’s jewelry that inimitable quality.

As Gracia draws to the end of our jeweled journey, there is just one last collection that warrants his explanation. This unique range features motifs of turquoise serpents and pearl eggs, set in black silver armor mesh, conjuring a sense of medieval heraldry. These designs break away from how we typically wear our pearl jewelry- Gracia’s pearls have meaning and a purpose, illustrating rebirth and eternal life. As an ancient Egyptian symbol of infinity, Gracia explains: "it is the turquoise Mashad serpent that is the most important feature of all – it represents the timelessness of CoutureLab".

Communicating charm, joy and vitality through perfection of craft, Vicente Gracia’s jewels are sure to never fade.