Our Team
George Smith
Our esteemed founder, hails from London and is the son of a Colombian mother from Bucaramanga. With more than 12 years of experience in the emerald industry, George has carved out a remarkable niche in the global market. His deep-rooted passion for emeralds and his dedication to quality have propelled our company to new heights, enabling the export of the finest Colombian emeralds to markets all over the world.
From a young age, George was captivated by the warmth and quality of the people during his visits to Colombia. This early connection fostered a deep appreciation for Colombian culture and its treasures, particularly the vibrant emeralds for which the country is renowned. Leveraging his dual heritage, he has bridged cultures and built strong relationships within the gemstone community. His expertise spans the entire process, from sourcing and evaluating raw stones to the intricacies of cutting, polishing, and marketing the final product.
Under George’s leadership, our company has not only achieved significant sales but also established a reputation for excellence and reliability. His commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices has earned him respect and recognition in the industry. George’s vision is not just about business success; it’s about elevating the profile of Colombian emeralds on the world stage and ensuring that their beauty is appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts everywhere.
His work has been featured in numerous international jewelry exhibitions, and he has collaborated with top designers and jewelers, further cementing his status as a global authority on emeralds. George’s tireless efforts and passion for his craft continue to drive our company’s growth and innovation, making him an invaluable asset and a respected leader in the gemstone industry.
Our Team
Ricardo Jiménez
Is our master cutter, with over 50 years of lapidary experience. Trained in Popayán and having worked directly for renowned figures like Víctor Carranza, Ricardo has cut some of Colombia’s most important emeralds. Responsible for the analysis and cutting and polishing of our most valuable stones, his precision and skill ensure the highest quality finish in every piece. His vast experience and reputation in the field make Ricardo a pillar of our team, bringing wisdom and an unsurpassed standard of excellence to our operation.
Fabio Valencia
Is in charge of the post manufacture cleaning, and treatment of our emeralds and also supports Ricardo’s lapidary work. With almost 40 years experience in the sector, Fabio is also a key figure in the business, his vast knowledge and ability to treat emeralds ensures every stone reaches it’s beauty potential. He too has worked with prominent industry figureheads and spent many years as a site manager for two mining operations in the Muzo region.
Daniela Cuero
Is our workshop manager and jewelry designer. Her ability to work with our customers to create custom pieces ensures that each piece of jewelry we manufacture is totally unique. With her combination of creativity, in-depth understanding of handmade jewelry, and drawing/painting skills, Daniela brings a young and energetic energy to our team,.
Rodrigo Solórzano
Is our in-house gemologist and bench jeweler. After graduating in international business Rodrigo went on to study high jewelry design and manufacturing, as well as gemology with Henrique Akel, a GIA member in the United States. When he is not making jewelry, Rodrigo assists in the grading, procurement and selection of emeralds for our extensive client base.
Juan Junco
Is a multimedia engineer with an MBA and a Master’s in Digital Marketing and eCommerce, who brings his expertise in multimedia technologies and digital strategies to our team. Passionate about photography, Juan supports us in all digital aspects of the company, enhancing our online presence and optimizing our digital marketing initiatives.
Joan Ortiz
Studied economics but decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, and ventured into the world of jewelry. With over 10 years experience, Joan and his team produce much of our custom jewellery. His combination of economics knowledge and artisanal skill allows him to efficiently manage design and production, ensuring that each piece meets the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction.
