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Hélène Cancela Alain

Handcrafted jewelry in Corbara - Unique creations in coral and semi-precious stones

Hélène Cancela, Corsican jewelry, Rings, Bracelets, Necklaces, Pendants, Jewellery shop

Published on 28/07/2023 - Updated 2 weeks ago

Goldsmith Hélène Cancela Alain - Craftsmanship - Corsica

Workshop - Handmade jewelry Hélène Cancela Alain - Corbara, Corsica

Corsican handmade jewelry - Hélène Cancela Alain - Corbara, Corsica

Earrings - Jewelry Hélène Cancela Alain - Corbara, Corsica

Men's torque bracelet - Handmade Corsican jewelry

Carnelian bracelet red beads - Hélène Cancela

Corsican jewelry creation workshop BdeH - Hélène Cancela

Hélène Cancela Alain

Between Calvi and L'Île-Rousse, in Corbara near the picturesque village of Pigna, artisan goldsmith Hélène Cancela has been crafting unique Corsican jewelry in coral, silver, gold-plated, bronze and semi-precious stones for nearly 30 years. Adjustable rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, torques and earrings are available both in the workshop and online.

Handcrafted jewelry in bronze, silver, gold-plated and semi-precious stones

Exhibition of handmade silver rings and bracelets

Engraved silver rings and bracelets - Handmade collection

Handmade jewelry - Hélène Cancela Alain - Corbara, Corsica

Handmade bracelet - Jewelry Hélène Cancela Alain - Corbara, Corsica

Hélène Cancela in the Corse Matin newspaper

Corse Matin article - Hélène Cancela - Jewelry in Corbara

Since 1995, artisan goldsmith Hélène Cancela has been creating unique jewelry in bronze, silver and gold-plated semi-precious stones in Corbara, Balagne. Her workshop, listed on the Route des Sens, is just 600 meters from Bodri beach, on the road between L'Île-Rousse and Calvi.

Easy to reach, just follow the red/pink signs, visible two kilometers after leaving Île-Rousse in the direction of Calvi. After a short hundred-meter asphalt road, a tree-lined parking lot welcomes you, accompanied by the tinkling of wind chimes. On the first floor of the family home, the BdeH jewelry workshop unveils a luminous, enchanted universe where each piece tells a story. The creations are available all year round, both on site and online.

20192024Clip Strada di l'Artigiani

Adjustable handcrafted rings

Silver aventurine heart bracelet - Hélène Cancela

Semi-precious stone ring - Corsican jewelry creator

Corsican rings in rhodochrosite and rose quartz

Each ring created by Hélène Cancela is designed to comfortably fit all finger sizes thanks to its adjustable system. You'll find fine, delicate models for everyday wear, as well as more imposing rings to sublimate an evening outfit. The collections include solid silver rings, Corsican coral rings, as well as creations adorned with semi-precious stones such as amethyst, rose quartz, carnelian or aventurine.

Depending on your desires, opt for a ring set with a single stone, a discreet wedding band, a minimalist ring, a handcrafted signet ring or a cuff ring worked with a hammer or engraved with etching. Some pieces are produced as limited editions with certificates of authenticity. The designer also offers ring customization, with a choice of stone, metal and even interior engraving.

Handcrafted Corsican bracelets for women, men and children

Women's torque bracelet - Corsican jewelry

Carnelian and Saint Lucy's eye bracelet - Hélène Cancela

Coral and Saint Lucy's eye bracelet - Hélène Cancela

Saint Lucy's eye and coral bracelets - Corsica

Engraved silver bangle bracelet - Hélène Cancela

Men's/Women's bracelet - Handmade Corsican jewelry

Corsican bracelet for women - Handmade creation

Women's cuff bracelet - Corsican creator

Silver floral cuff bracelet - Hélène Cancela

Wide engraved silver bracelet - Hélène Cancela

Designed and handcrafted in the Corbara workshop, Hélène Cancela's handmade Corsican bracelets come in a variety of styles for women, men and children. Each piece reflects the expertise of the island designer and showcases noble materials: Corsican coral, solid silver, gold-plated, bronze and semi-precious stones such as amethyst, carnelian and rose quartz.

Depending on your desires, you can choose a cuff bracelet with an elaborate design, a streamlined rush or half rush bracelet, a model adorned with theeye of Saint Lucia or a coral bead bracelet. Each creation can be produced as a limited edition with a certificate of authenticity, guaranteeing the originality and quality of the piece.

For a unique touch, the workshop can personalize your bracelet: engraving a first name, a date or a symbolic message, choice of stone or metal...

Corsican necklaces - coral, silver and semi-precious stones

Gold-plated torque - Handmade Corsican jewelry

Braided silver torque - Handmade jewelry

Saint Lucy's eye necklaces and pendants - Corsica

Carnelian and Saint Lucy's eye necklaces - Hélène Cancela

Hélène Cancela's handcrafted Corsican necklaces are often etched, and can be matched with bracelets or earrings to create a complete ensemble. Available in solid silver, gold-plated, bronze or adorned with semi-precious stones such as amethyst, rose quartz or carnelian, they come in chokers, long necklaces or rigid torque models, ideal for elegant evenings.

Some models feature a Corsican coral pendant or an eye from Saint Lucia, a symbol deeply rooted on the island. Each piece is available as a limited edition with certificate of authenticity.

Corsican pendants - coral, stones and traditional shapes

Saint Lucy's eye pendants - Hélène Cancela

Carnelian and Saint Lucy's eye pendants - Hélène Cancela

Silver pendant - Black semi-precious stone

Semi-precious stone pendant - Corsican jewelry

Pendants are available alone or mounted on necklaces, in silver, bronze or gold-plated. The collection includes Corsican shapes, red coral pendants, St. Lucia shell pendants and creations set with semi-precious stones. A choice of chain or cord is available.

Handcrafted torques - rigid necklaces in silver and stones

The torque is an antique-inspired rigid necklace, revisited by Hélène Cancela in solid silver or gold-plated, sometimes adorned with semi-precious stones or coral. Elegant and minimalist, it can be worn with a formal outfit or as an everyday piece of jewelry. Some models are hammered or braided for a unique textured effect.

Handcrafted earrings - silver, coral and stones

Gold-plated semi-precious stone earrings

The artisan earrings collection features creoles, pendants, studs and openwork designs in silver, gold-plated and bronze.

Some are adorned with coral,St. Lucia eye or natural stones. Light and comfortable, they can be worn alone or as a matching set with necklace and bracelet.

A much-appreciated safe bet, earrings are available both at Corbara and in the Brin de Corse online boutique.

Semi-precious stones

Semi-precious stones - Hélène Cancela workshop

The jewels are crafted with semi-precious stones in a variety of solid or latticed hues, such as rhodonite, hematite or moss agate. All stones come with a certificate of authenticity.

Rose quartz
Composed of silicon oxide, manganese and titanium, this pale pink stone evokes tenderness and serenity. A stone that also embodies femininity and emotionality. It is found particularly in Brazil and Madagascar.

Rhodochrosite
The little sister of rose quartz, rhodocrhosite is also a pink stone with a darker hue, composed of carbonate and manganese, found from Mexico to the southern United States.
Aventurine
A green stone composed of fuchsite or muscovite (Moscow stone), found in Brazil, China and India.
Carnelian
Carnelian is a fairly solid coral-red stone from Latin America and India.

Rhodochrosite
The little sister of rose quartz, rhodocrhosite is also a pink stone with a darker hue, composed of carbonate and manganese, found from Mexico to the southern United States.

Aventurine
A green stone composed of fuchsite or muscovite (Moscow stone), found in Brazil, China and India.

Carnelian
Carnelian is a fairly solid coral-red stone from Latin America and India.

Amethyst
Purple in color, amethyst is composed of silicon oxide, iron and manganese. It is found in Europe, Latin America, Russia and Madagascar. In lithotherapy, it is said to help combat drunkenness and intoxication, and to promote sleep. It embodies humility and stimulates creativity. The workshop also carries genuine amethyst geodes, again with certificate of authenticity.

Pyrite
also known as fire stone or fool's gold, is composed of iron disulfide and is found in Western Europe (France, Italy, Spain), Slovakia and Peru.

Pyrite
also known as fire stone or fool's gold, is composed of iron disulfide and is found in Western Europe (France, Italy, Spain), Slovakia and Peru.

Corsican coral

Corsican stones are used: fluorite, rock crystal, pyrite, rose quartz, serpentine, amethyst. Limited-edition bracelets, pendants and necklaces in Corsican coral are also on display. Hélène treats the stones without bruising them, they are not set, the polishing tries to continue the natural course of the action repeated by the sea.

Œil de Sainte-Lucie - Mediterranean symbol

Saint Lucy's eye pendant - Corsican jewelry

Saint Lucy's eye and coral - Corsican jewelry

Corsica-shaped pendant - Handmade jewelry

Theeye of Saint Lucia is one of Corsica's most emblematic jewels. It's made from the shell of a Mediterranean seashell, picked up on the island's beaches and polished to reveal its natural nuances.

In Hélène Cancela's workshop, the œil de Sainte-Lucie is available in earrings, pendants, bracelets and necklaces, often combined withsolid silver, gold-plated or Corsican coral. Each piece is handcrafted, with particular care to preserve the natural beauty of the shell.

These creations can be worn alone or as part of a matching set. Available at the Corbara workshop and on the online boutique, they are accompanied by information on their origin and meaning. To find out more about this island tradition, discover the History of Saint Lucia.

From fine art to jewelry

After graduating from the Ecole des Beaux Arts, Hélène went on to earn a Maîtrise and Capes in Spanish, a LEA and a Licence in English, as well as being a translator. Having always been involved in the artistic world, Hélène's passion took over at university when she began making handmade jewelry to earn pocket money. She left everything behind to return to Corsica, to Ile-Rousse, the home of her grandparents, with whom she spent her vacations. This is where she currently runs her jewelry workshop. Hélène Cancela is a member of the association Strada di l'Artigiani - La route des Artisans de Balagne.

The workshop is also the goldsmith's workplace, where numerous soldering tools, wax molding, cutting machines, grinding wheels and chemicals for etching with nitric acid are mixed together. Other chemical processes, such as electrolysis, can also be used, but are carried out by an intermediary who has the necessary equipment.

Jewelry at every price

Jewelry is sold directly from the workshop, at markets, or ordered by mail order or online below. Prices are designed to be affordable, with most jewelry priced under €100 and to suit all budgets. From €10 for children's bracelets to €25 for the eye of Saint Lucia, up to €75 for bracelets with etchings and €110 for elaborate cuff bracelets. Earrings and rings are generally priced between €40 and €60, with a few exceptions.

Mini-Villa Mitoyenne Neuve rental

Corbara rental - Balagne - L'Île-Rousse beach

Hélène has a vacation or year-round rental, a mini-villa on Corbara near Île-Rousse. You'll enjoy an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea and the flower-filled, wooded garden of a 5000 m² private property. Parking is ample and shaded, with access to the rental car.

With a capacity of 2 to 3 people for 45 m², the villa comprises a double bedroom, a living room, a new kitchen, a terrace with a view of the sea, sleeping accommodation (BZ) for 2 people in 140, an open-plan kitchen (washing machine, dishwasher, 4-burner ceramic hob, fridge-freezer, microwave, toaster), a bathroom with shower cubicle and WC. Kitchen linen provided, hairdryer, iron, barbecue, TNT, TV, WIFI, you'll want for nothing.

Pets are welcome. The location is quiet and peaceful, with no traffic noise, in the heart of the Balagne region and 350 m from the sea. Only 800 m separates you from two fine sandy beaches, one of which is supervised. The Leclerc hypermarket is just 500m from the Ile Rousse exit, and there's also a local chemist's, as well as an open-air cinema.

Hélène will point you in the right direction in the Balinese region: seasonal fruit and vegetables, island produce, beauty salon, spa, massages, golf, sports center with swimming pool, hiking trails, restaurants, discos, from Ile-Rousse to Calvi.