Alison Cooper launches Alicia J brand

Entrepreneur Alison Cooper has founded new bespoke jewellery brand Alicia J, with the business officially launching online this month. The bespoke diamond and engagement ring business aims to “help young people navigate the incomprehensible minefield that is buying an engagement ring”. The brand emphasised that personalised pieces will be crafted for customers, calling its bespoke service “personal and discreet”. While Alicia J does not have showrooms or stores, every bespoke piece is sourced directly from trusted suppliers, helping to “remove the added costs which are typically added onto fine jewellery supply chains”. All ethically-sourced diamonds are above 0.5 carats, and come graded by and with a diamond report from GIA (The Gemological Institute of America). Alicia J added that the report is “essential if you want to know the exact properties of your unique stone and other details such as where it was sourced”. The jewellery is crafted to customers’ designs in Dubai by “trusted” specialists and suppliers. Each piece is then quality checked by the brand in-person in Dubai, and again when it arrives in London. Cooper said: “I love fine jewellery. My career has frequently taken me to the Middle East, where I’ve enjoyed treating myself to beautiful pieces of jewellery. Over the years, I have learned a great deal about diamonds, gemstones and precious metals. “I quickly realised that diamond prices in Europe’s high street stores are vastly overvalued compared to what I was paying in Dubai.” She added: “I could also see that conventional shopping for diamonds and fine jewellery could lead to confusion and being overwhelmed by choice, resulting in the wrong purchase being made. “Having run successful businesses before, I knew I could make a personalised bespoke fine jewellery service work.”