Whether you're building the perfect, modern bracelet stack or are on the hunt for diamond earrings that stand out, we love Rene Escobar's collection for diamond jewelry with a bit of an edge. His mixed, textured metals contrast beautifully against brilliant diamonds and colored gemstones. His designs are classical yet completely fresh, and offer the ability to build yourself a unique collection of interchangeable pieces that go easily from jeans and a tee to a night out.
Ahead of his upcoming trunk show here at Lapis on April 11th, we chatted with Rene about his story and his collection. Get to know the designer below:
What first drew you to jewelry design, and when did you realize it would become your career?
I was born into jewelry. I’m a third-generation jeweler and grew up surrounded by it. As a kid, I spent a lot of time watching my father at the bench, which piqued my curiosity. That curiosity turned into a real fascination when I was 17, the year I got my first job as an apprentice learning from master goldsmiths at a fine jewelry store in South Florida. I feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered my passion at such an early age, and I’ve continued to pursue it ever since.
Tell us about your early jewelry experience. How did it shape your collection?
My first real experience as a jewelry designer came in my early 20s when I opened my own studio and worked as a private jeweler, creating one-of-a-kind bespoke pieces. Designing for my amazing and often eccentric clients meant always considering their taste, lifestyle, and personality. I continued doing that for the next 18 years.
During that time, I explored many styles, from antique and vintage-inspired designs to more architectural and modern ones. I worked with a wide range of precious stones, learned different stone setting techniques, and experimented with mixed metals.
How would you describe your design aesthetic today?
When I eventually created my collection, those early experiences naturally shaped it. My designs are modern and geometric, defined by strong lines and shapes, accented with diamonds. I use texture and oxidized silver alongside 18k yellow, rose, and white gold. That balance is what defines the collection.
What is your design process like?
Sometimes a stone becomes the starting point. Right away, I will quickly sketch it as a ring or a pendant using the elements that define our collection. But much of our design process actually begins with listening closely to our retail partners, whether at trade shows or during in-person store visits. They tell us what they’re looking for from the collection.
After the trade shows, we always come back full of inspiration. Seeing which designs resonate, watching people’s reactions, and learning what piques their interest helps us understand how to expand and evolve the collection.
What’s one detail customers might overlook, but you obsess over during production?
The texture. In fact, we have someone in production whose sole focus is creating it. The texture is so important to me that we often go over it three or four times to make sure it’s exactly right. I personally look at every piece before it leaves.
If you had to choose one piece from your line for a customer to be their first piece, which would it be and why?
It would be a 4mm bangle. Whether your wrist is petite or a bit wider, it’s extremely versatile and comfortable. You can easily pair it with other widths, like a narrower 2.5mm or a wider 6mm bangle. It becomes the perfect foundation piece, the one item that goes with everything.
What's inspiring you lately—in or outside the studio?
What has always inspired me, since the very beginning of my career, is the customer. Ever since my early 20s, when I worked as a private jeweler, I’ve been trained to think about the wearer first. I don’t draw inspiration from things like flowers, stars, or the ocean. My inspiration has always come directly from the client. I’m always thinking about where, how, and why they want to wear the piece.
Over the last seven years, my partner, Omar, has also played a significant role in the design process. Together, we have continued that tradition of designing for the wearer. I feel fortunate to have a partner who understands my collection’s aesthetic, yet brings a fresh perspective to each design.