What I've Learned in 30 Years as a Jewelry Designer
By Laura Renata Rubio, Founder & Designer of Renata Rubio
When I started my jewelry business in 1996 with just $400, I thought I was designing jewelry.
Nearly three decades later, I realize I've been doing something much more meaningful.
I've had the privilege of working alongside artisan families in Taxco, Mexico, watching young apprentices become master silversmiths, preserving generations of craftsmanship, and meeting thousands of customers searching for the perfect piece to celebrate life's most important moments.
Along the way, I've learned lessons that extend far beyond jewelry.
Jewelry Is Never Just Jewelry
People rarely buy jewelry because they simply need another pair of earrings or another necklace.
They buy jewelry to celebrate a milestone.
A graduation.
A wedding.
An anniversary.
A birthday.
A new career.
A memorable trip.
A friendship.
Or simply to remind someone they are loved.
Long after the flowers have faded or the celebration has ended, the jewelry remains.
Every time it's worn, it brings that memory back.
That is what makes jewelry one of the most meaningful gifts we can give.
Beauty Matters. Meaning Matters More.
Beautiful jewelry catches someone's eye.
Meaningful jewelry captures their heart.
Over the years, I've watched customers choose a piece because it reminded them of their grandmother, their daughter, a place they visited, or someone they deeply loved.
The jewelry becomes part of their story.
As a designer, there is no greater compliment than knowing something I created has become part of someone else's life.
The Story Behind Jewelry Matters
One of the biggest changes I've witnessed over the past three decades is that people want to know more about the things they buy.
Today, customers ask thoughtful questions.
Where was this jewelry made?
Who made it?
Under what conditions was it created?
Does my purchase support skilled artisans?
Does it help preserve traditional craftsmanship?
Those questions matter.
Because every piece of jewelry has a story long before it reaches the person who wears it.
Doing Well by Doing Good
I believe we are all connected by a shared desire to do well by doing good.
More than ever, people want the things they purchase to reflect not only their personal style but also their values.
Throughout my career, I have had opportunities to manufacture my jewelry through mass- production.
It would undoubtedly have been easier.
It may even have been more profitable.
But that has never been the vision for my brand.
Instead, for nearly three decades, I have chosen to work alongside artisan families in Taxco, Mexico, families whose silversmithing traditions have been passed from one generation to the next. Learn more about why we choose to handcraft our jewelry in Taxco, Mexico.
Their craftsmanship represents centuries of knowledge, patience, and artistic excellence.
Every collection we create helps preserve that tradition.
Every purchase supports skilled artisans whose work deserves to be celebrated.
Choosing exceptional craftsmanship over mass production has never been about taking the easy path.
It has always been about creating jewelry with integrity that honors the people who make it as much as the people who wear it.
Quality Is a Form of Respect
I've learned that quality communicates respect.
When someone gives jewelry as a gift, they're placing their trust in the designer, the artisan, and the craftsmanship behind it.
That trust should never be taken for granted.
That's why every Renata Rubio piece is handcrafted in solid 92.5 sterling silver.
That's why every piece is backed by a Lifetime Warranty.
Because meaningful jewelry should be made to last.
Relationships Matter More Than Transactions
Looking back, I don't measure success by the number of pieces we've sold.
I measure it by the relationships we've built.
The artisan families who have become lifelong partners.
The museum stores, airport retailers, and independent boutiques and jewelry stores that have trusted my brand for years.
The customers who return to celebrate another milestone in their lives.
The friendships that began with a single piece of jewelry.
Those relationships have shaped my business far more than any trend ever could.
A Customer Story About Personal Service
“What a wonderful small biz. Beautiful designs and such affordable prices. Our family loves this company.
When my sister, who lives in Germany, saw the Renata Rubio website while in the U.S., she had to buy a stylish pair of earrings. Unfortunately, she lost one. That’s when I emailed Renata Rubio for assistance. I wasn’t even expecting an answer, but there was Laura with an instant reply.
Don’t hesitate to buy from this creative small biz with very personal service! Well done, Renata Rubio! We will buy again!
Mahalo, from your new customer in Hawai‘i.”
Angela K., Google Review
Tradition Is Worth Preserving
Technology continues to transform how products are designed, manufactured, and sold.
Yet there is something timeless about watching a skilled artisan shape sterling silver by hand.
Some traditions deserve to be preserved.
Not because they are old.
But because they represent patience.
Pride.
Skill.
Creativity.
Human connection.
Every handcrafted piece reminds us that some of life's most meaningful things cannot be rushed.
Looking Back and Looking Forward
When I founded Renata Rubio in 1996, I could never have imagined where this journey would lead.
What began with a small dream has become a lifelong commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, meaningful relationships, and honoring one of the world's great silversmithing traditions.
If there is one lesson I hope people take away from my journey, it is this:
Jewelry isn't just about silver.
It isn't just about design.
It isn't just about fashion.
It's about people.
It's about celebrating life's milestones.
It's about preserving traditions that deserve to endure.
It's about choosing quality over convenience.
And it's about creating something meaningful enough to become part of someone else's story.
That has been my greatest privilege for thirty years.
And I still feel incredibly fortunate to do what I love every single day.
About the Author
Laura Renata Rubio is the founder and designer of Renata Rubio, a Colorado-based jewelry brand established in 1996. She designs handcrafted 92.5 sterling silver jewelry created by artisan families in Taxco, Mexico, one of the world's most celebrated centers for silversmithing. Her collections are sold through museum stores, airport specialty retailers, gift shops, and independent boutiques throughout the United States. Every piece is handcrafted in solid sterling silver and backed by a Lifetime Warranty.
