Walking through the entrance to Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School, just off piazza del Carmine, you enter an anachronistically modern space, where students sit at high-tech workbenches, chatting away in a variety of languages as they hone their designs into finished pieces.
The name “Alchimia” seems an apt choice, representing the ancient discipline that bridges science and metaphysics—a source of inspiration to transform the “worthless” into the “highest quality” through creative impulse, manual skill, imagination and enthusiasm. It’s not by chance that the jewellery school is situated in San Frediano, in the Oltrarno, the heart of artisanal Florence since time immemorial and one of the few places where it’s still possible to find workshops and businesses reflecting the best of local creativity.
One of a handful of schools in the world exclusively dedicated to the study of contemporary jewellery, Alchimia was founded in 1998 by jewellery artist Lucia Massei, who still holds the role of creative director. Since then the institution has continued to foster creative expression while developing technical and theoretical skills. By embracing technological developments and experimental cultural trends, the school draws on the revision and adoption of traditional techniques and materials, combining them with disruptive and groundbreaking approaches. Combined with the inclusive and international environment shaped by adopting English as the primary language, the result is a methodology encouraging students to explore new perspectives, transforming ideas into design objects, while gaining access to the global art and jewellery industry.
The school provides options for both beginners and advanced students, who are mentored by a team of international experts in jewellery, design and visual arts, providing guidance throughout their academic career. Alchimia’s two-year Bachelor of Fine Arts offers a comprehensive grounding in contemporary jewellery design, which is ideal for students with no prior technical background. Structured into six 14-week modules, the program balances practical and theoretical learning.
Necklace, Madeleine Kuhne-Oertel
Necklace, Federica Scala
The two-year Master of Fine Arts program is designed to expand studio-based skills and critical knowledge, encouraging students to refine their artistic identity, explore new methods of communication and promotion, and develop an individual voice within the discipline. Each Master’s program concludes with a curated solo exhibition, showcasing the body of work produced during the course.
Alchimia also offers two-week courses tailored for beginners and advanced students. They provide a focused introduction or deeper exploration of contemporary jewellery practices with personalized guidance.
Alchimia attracts students from all over the world, enrolling in full academic programs or intensive modules. Over the years, numerous international jewellery artists, art historians, gallery owners and collectors have led courses and seminars at the school. The emphasis on building a vibrant and collaborative atmosphere between teachers and students has resulted in a consistently high standard of work, with peaks of excellence recognized by numerous international awards.
As creative director Lucia Massei says, “Studying contemporary jewellery in Florence is not just an education. It’s an immersive experience that weaves together tradition and present, technique and concept, hand and mind. Whether you’re drawn to design, storytelling or bold experimentation, Florence offers a cultural and artistic landscape unlike any other: nurturing your creative identity at every step.”
Alchimia – Contemporary Jewellery School in Florence
Piazza Piattellina 3R
Yip Wings
Maria Ignacia Walker
Marco Mangani
Junchang Lu
Carla Movia
Maia Blake
Diana Pantea
Kai Ling Hsueh
Alejandra Arosemena
Hanyu Zhao
Marco Mangani
