THE GLITTERATI QUESTIONNAIRE

10 QUESTIONS FOR MARIE-CECILE CISAMOLO, JEWELLERY SPECIALIST AT SOTHEBY'S GENEVA. AS GENUINE AS IT GETS, SHE'S PURE GOLD!

Marie-Cécile Cisamolo studied Art History at La Sorbonne in Paris (Bachelor) and Law (Master), specialising in Contemporary Art and Family Law. She moved to London in 2010 and started working at Christies Pall Mall headquarters, moving to the jewellery department at South Kensington in 2011 where she was in charge of the catalogue for 4 years - South Kensington presents 10 jewellery auction per calendar year, each with approximately 300 lots - Handling such an exceptional number of jewels in such a short time allowed her to learn alot about jewellery, quickly. During this time, Marie-Cécile also attended evening classes at the Gemmology Association of Britain, graduating in 2014. In 2015, Marie-Cécile was invited to join the Geneva jewellery department where she worked as an associate specialist until 2021. Marie-Cécile joined the jewellery department at Sotheby's Geneva as a Specialist and Director in November 2021.

Marie Cécile sits on the border between enthusiast and fanatic when it comes to jewellery, specifically Cipullo, 60's-70's Bulgari, really special French Deco, and, Viren Bhagat. Obviously. She's read all the books and was clearly paying attentioner detail oriented knowledge isn't loud or ostentatious, she'll happily share what she knows. Most importantly, she'll sit in your corner and cheer you on, quietly, but loud enough for you to hear it.

Marie-Cécile lives in nearby France with her husband and carbon copy daughter, Victoria, pictured here.

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1. WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

My daughter. I see the world through her eyes sometimes and she just inspires me to be better, to do better and to be happy. She also very importantly gives me perspective, when you are in the middle of consigning season or auction week and you live for work, just holding her makes me instantly fly away for a moment and relax.

2. WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF LUXURY?

Getting older here, so the most obvious answer that comes to mind is the well-known: time. Especially with a toddler, it feels like time flies.

3. WHICH JEWELER OR WATCHMAKER DO YOU MOST ADMIRE, WHY?

Alive: it would have to be Viren Bhagat. He is the only person that I ever fan crushed on, like full on red face, wobbly knees etc. I love the feminity, the curves, the rarity of his jewels, and they are so damn comfortable! As a person, he also radiates class and elegance…

Dead: very hard, for different reasons. I would hesitate between Boivin, Lalique and Cipullo…

4. IN YOUR NEXT LIFE YOU ARE A JEWEL OR OBJECT, WHAT ARE YOU, WHY?

I am a simple wedding band, wide and very thin, even thinner on one side because the gold has been worn off by the wearer for decades. I represent love but mostly commitment, through good and bad. I will also be cherished for generations as a memento. And I am not expensive so I can be worn all the time and travelled with.

5. SET A DINNER TABLE FOR 6: WHICH 5 INDUSTRY PEOPLE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE YOUR TABLE WITH?

Vanessa Cron, Hans Nadelhoffer, Elizabeth Taylor, Rene Lalique, Juliette Moutard

6. YOUR DREAM JOB IT WEREN'T THIS ONE

Travel journalist, wandering around the world in 5-star hotels or with a backpack on a lost trail somewhere, telling interested people about my experiences.

7. YOUR GREATEST JEWELLERY/WATCH MEMORY/EXPERIENCE TO DATE?

Researching, writing and selling the ‘Beyond Boundaries’ Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewellery catalogue/sale in November 2017 at Christie’s Geneva. I got to spend 6 months just diving into Art Nouveau and modernism. The jewels were so amazing that they opened the doors to museum archives, to the most knowledgeable people and to beauty in general.

8. YOUR FAVOURITE GEMSTONE?

Truly beautiful sapphires make my heart skip a beat, they don’t have to be perfect, they are just so charming. And way out of my buying power, unfortunately!

9. YOUR MOTTO FOR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS?

Try and surround yourself with people that wish the best for you. Once you have done it, listen to their advice!

10. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?

Read the books. All the books you can. Conversation and opinions will allow you to connect with people in a way that money or clothes or lifestyle won’t.

Follow Marie-Cécile and her bejewelled journeys on Instagram @mariececilejewels