Mia Chicco
Jewellery designer Mia Chicco draws on her Italian heritage and the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi for her intricate designs—created in her beautiful studio in Sydney’s Potts Point.
PHOTOS Hande Renshaw
Mia Chicco in her beautiful studio in Potts Point, Sydney.
‘Over the years, I've developed a style that's all about combining luxury with a raw, unstructured beauty. I create unique, handcrafted pieces that blend traditional jewellery-making techniques with a modern twist, drawing inspiration from my Italian heritage and the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi.’
‘My designs reflect a fusion of ancient Roman and Etruscan treasures and the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy, creating pieces that are both striking and wearable.’
Hello Mia—can you introduce yourself?
I’m a goldsmith/ jewellery designer based in Potts Point, in Sydney. I grew up and have spent most of my life in Sydney, but I do love to travel. I’ve always been very independent and adventurous, travelling the world for 6 months at eighteen, spending a year on exchange at the University of Nottingham, moving to Florence to study to become a goldsmith, not knowing a soul and living in London for over 3 years. I’m a bit of a free spirit, but also extremely determined, and a dream chaser. I’m half Italian and feel it deeply in my blood. I have two incredible little people who challenge me daily, and bring me so much joy. Life is very full!
Tell us about your journey in jewellery design…
I’ve always been creative—as a little girl, I used to love making things, I would set up shop in front of our house and sell random items that I’d collected to anyone that would walk past. I was obsessed with beading and would string necklaces and bracelets to sell to my friends. My family has always had their own businesses—my mum used to have a mid-century designer furniture store. I would spend my weekends and holidays with her driving through little country towns in search of unique pieces.
My dad is a hairdresser and also used to collect vintage watches. Our dining table would always be covered with different elements of watches. I definitely grew up loving the finer details in things and have always been captivated by the intricate details and craftsmanship of jewellery.
After finishing my degree in art theory, I felt I needed a break from Sydney and realised the world of curating was quite limited in Australia. Feeling a pull to my Italian heritage, I decided to move to Florence and enrol in an intensive goldsmith course. It was the most incredible and life changing experience, and has moulded every part of my brand philosophy and aesthetic. When I returned home, I worked with a jewellers in the QVB, it was kind of like an apprenticeship without the formal title and I really learned the ins and outs of hand-making engagement rings and wedding bands and gained an in depth knowledge of diamonds and the industry. I stayed for 5 years, and during that time returned to Florence for three month stints to further hone my skills.
During those five years I was also working on my own business on the side. My partner and I then decided to move to London, where I worked part-time for a jewellery gallery. I helped them launch their own in-house line and they stocked my own collections. I went on to work for a very well establish contemporary jeweller, so I really had a full circle experience of the whole industry. I had my own studio in Hatton Garden, which was my creative sanctuary and where my brand really grew and took off. I started doing trade shows in the UK and USA, and secured quite a few wholesale accounts, which really exposed me to the international market. We returned to Sydney in 2015 and I have been working full-time on my business ever since.
Where do you mainly draw inspiration from for your designs?
I find inspiration everywhere, in nature, art and architecture—my biggest inspiration would be ancient treasures and artefacts. I love surface textures and patterns, I have always warmed to eroded and rustic looking objects, but I also love elegance and glamour. My work is a fusion.
I love experimenting with unexpected combinations, creating unique pieces that truly stand out. Whether it's inspired by the beautifully decaying walls and palette of the streets of Florence or the rugged coastline of Sydney, my designs are infused with narratives, offering clients a tangible connection to special moments and places.
I cherish the art of slow, deliberate craftsmanship. My Potts Point studio is a sanctuary where I meticulously handcraft each piece, ensuring every detail reflects the love and dedication I pour into it. Rustic elegance and wabi-sabi are more than just aesthetics—they're a philosophy. By incorporating ethically sourced gemstones and celebrating imperfections, I embrace the raw beauty of the natural world, infusing my designs with authenticity and soul.
What metal/stone do you most love to work with…
That's a tough one! If I had to choose, I'd say 18ct yellow gold—it's so versatile and timeless. It flows beautifully and is a joy to forge and transform. I love the richness, depth of colour and weight it has too. As for stones, I have a soft spot for Champagne diamonds and Australian sapphires. Their rich colours and durability make them an easy choice to work with.
What do you love most about your studio in Potts Point?
I absolutely love the sense of community and creativity that flows throughout the suburb, and I try to capture it in my studio and showroom. There’s a beautiful synergy between the canvas that Potts Point provides and the stories contained in my pieces. It's a cozy space, inside one of the grand Art Deco buildings on Macleay Street. The natural light is fantastic for designing and crafting jewellery, and the atmosphere is so inspiring. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by some incredible creative icons and entrepreneurs including Saskia Hakeves of Grandiflora, and Ian Hadlow of Antique Decorative Art.
‘I definitely grew up loving the finer details in things and have always been captivated by the intricate details and craftsmanship of jewellery.’
‘I cherish the art of slow, deliberate craftsmanship.’
“Knowing my creations are cherished and become part of special moments is incredibly fulfilling—I’ve always been inspired by our capacity to transform an object into emotion.”
Mia Chicco with her Aqua Dolce earrings.
‘[My pieces have] a depth of detail that invites touch and curiosity—a fine balance of intricate textures and detailing yet refined lines. I always find beauty in contrast.’
The most rewarding part of your job?
It’s definitely seeing the joy on my clients' faces when they receive their pieces. Knowing that my creations are cherished and become part of their special moments is incredibly fulfilling. I’ve always been inspired by our capacity to transform an object into emotion.
And the most challenging?
Like most small business owners, the most challenging part is balancing creativity with the practical aspects of running a business—managing production schedules, sourcing materials, and handling administrative tasks can be overwhelming at times, but it's all part of the journey.
At the moment I handle all the quoting, communication, client appointments, designing, hand-making each piece, photography, social media, accounting and store admin. It's a lot of hats to wear, which means I need to be extremely motivated each day, which can be challenging. All this on top of being a mother of two beautiful children under the age of 7 means that life is fast-paced, so it’s even more important to enjoy the silence between the notes.
Your absolute dream project?
It would probably be to create a bespoke jewellery collection for a high-profile fashion show. It would be an amazing opportunity to showcase my work on a grand stage and collaborate with other talented artists and designers.
What make you feels a sense of purpose at work?
I feel a sense of purpose when I create pieces that hold sentimental value for my clients. Whether it's an engagement ring, a family heirloom, or a special gift, knowing that my work has a lasting impact on someone's life gives me immense satisfaction. I also find purpose in the fact that every day I get to create with my hands.
Where would we find you on a typical Saturday?
It’s hard to beat the ritual of starting the day with a great coffee, and living in Paddington means that we’re spoiled with many excellent cafes that bring the local community together. Outside of that, most of our weekends revolve around being outdoors at beaches and parks, or ferrying the kids to sports or birthday parties. Every now and then, we’ll find some quiet time to enjoy art galleries or sip on a negroni, and watch the world pass by.
What’s coming up for you in 2025 that you’re most excited?
I’m currently working on some very exciting new pieces with some incredible gemstones from my private collection. Also some shoots and collaborations that I can’t wait to share, and lots of re-modelling of heirloom gemstones into special new pieces. I always get excited to recycle and reinvent something old and unworn into a treasure with new life.