Nelly Rojas is a jewellery designer with a vision that transcends time. Her jewellery pieces are heirlooms, to be worn and cherished over generations. At her eponymous brand, Nelly Rojas Fine Jewelry, every piece is more than mere adornment; it is an expression of deeply-felt emotions that are pure, authentic and deeply felt.
Rojas trained as an architect but early in her career was drawn to jewellery design. She studied interior architecture as well as art history and also worked as an urban furniture designer. At the same, she also took jewellery design classes, giving her a well-rounded yet refreshingly unorthodox understanding of the design elements that go into jewellery making.
Rojas’ approach to jewellery design is both compelling and multifaceted. For instance, while some of her jewellery pieces draw from the precise lines and angles of the Art Deco style, others find sculptural inspiration in nature, particularly the fauna of her native Colombia. The result is a jewellery brand whose designs range from abstract geometry to organic shapes, an alluring marriage of structure and whimsy.
Another mesmerizing aspect of Rojas’ fine jewellery pieces is her bold and confident use of colour. From subtle dabs to bright pops of colour, the brand’s dialogue with hue is both an expression of beauty as well as an amplification of the wearer’s inner essence.
As a result, Rojas takes special care when selecting her one-of-a-kind faceted coloured gemstones. Alongside her favourite gem, emerald, Rojas uses tourmalines, topaz, citrines and coloured quartz to inject eye-catching, vibrant colour in her fine jewellery pieces.
But these gemstones do more than add a vivid focal point to her jewellery pieces. They also carry deep symbolism and empowering messages for both wearer and beholder. The brand and designer seek to create beauty that forges an unbreakable spiritual connection, so that each piece amplifies the inner strength of the wearer, with the coloured gemstones acting as messengers of empowerment.
Every Nelly Rojas piece of jewellery is embellished with a small emerald, a signature of the brand. This hidden treasure does not only represent Rojas’ love for this gemstone but also serves as a talisman for the wearer. A strong believer in the mysticism of gemstones, for Rojas emeralds are life-affirming gems that bring well-being, balance and wisdom.
A Conversation with Jewellery Designer Nelly Rojas
Nelly Rojas is a warm and effortlessly approachable. Her passion for her work is palpable and her love for exceptional gemstones, especially emeralds, is infectious. Her jewellery designs are an extension of her personality: marvellously creative and deeply spiritual person with a core philosophy of sharing beauty through the pieces she crafts.
I recently sat down with Rojas and spoke at length with her about her fine jewellery brand.
Your brand has such a distinctive voice. Can you share the story of what inspired you to launch Nelly Rojas Jewelry? What inspired you to begin this journey?
I have worked in the world of jewelry for over 20 years, initially in the business of fashion jewelry, where I built a personal language full of identity, color, and expressive forms. However, five years ago I felt an inner calling to go deeper—to work with gold and precious stones, to seek out what is essential, eternal, and symbolic.
Nelly Rojas Jewelry was born as a continuation of that journey, but on a different level of consciousness. It’s a brand that represents maturity, depth, and purpose. I no longer design just to beautify, but to connect, to accompany personal processes, to offer pieces that have a soul.
And they have a soul because their materials come directly from the Earth. The gold, the precious stones, the diamonds… are all treasures born from the very heart of the planet. Each piece offers immense strength and exceptional protection because it comes charged with the energy of Mother Earth, with centuries of formation, and with a natural power that transcends aesthetics.
This new chapter is inspired by everything I’ve lived through as a woman, a designer, an architect, and a spiritual being. It’s the result of years of evolution and listening to the intuition that called me to create pure jewelry—crafted from precious materials and imbued with great power.
How does your background as an interior architect and art historian influence your approach to jewelry design?
My training as an architect deeply influences the way I conceive jewelry. I’m interested in structure, balance, and how each piece interacts with the body—almost as if it were a small, inhabited building. Precision in design, attention to detail, and the dialogue between form and function are principles I apply in both architecture and jewelry.
From art history, I draw on a symbolic and aesthetic universe that constantly nourishes my creative process. References from different eras, styles, and artistic movements allow me to create jewelry with a rich visual narrative and multiple layers of interpretation. I’m interested in jewelry not just as decorative objects, but as mediums for cultural and personal expression.
Colombia is at the heart of your brand. How does your homeland influence your creative process, both in spirit and in materials?
Colombia has been the starting point of my creative journey—because of its nature, its culture, and the roots it has given me. Although I use elements like Colombian emeralds—for their symbolic power and natural beauty—my work also incorporates materials and techniques from different parts of the world, always in pursuit of excellence.
For me, designing from Colombia means creating from a place of depth, with a global perspective. The jewelry has an authentic identity, connected to my origins, but conceived to transcend. It seeks to convey a refined, personal language that resonates with people from various cultures. Crafted with deep roots, made to transcend boundaries.
What guides your selection of colored gemstones, such as citrine, London Blue topaz, amethyst, and faceted rose quartz for collections like “Starlust”?
The main guide in selecting gemstone colors is the depth, radiance, and mystery of the cosmos—that’s what inspires my choices. In Starlust, I look for gemstones that resonate with these celestial qualities.
To me, citrines bring warmth and radiant energy, London blue topaz reflects depth and serenity, amethysts offer a spiritual and mystical frequency, and faceted rose quartz introduces softness and emotional light.
Each stone is chosen not just for its color, but for the vibration it transmits and the harmony it brings to the piece. It’s about capturing poetry—the story the universe tells—within a jewel.
Your Royal Bugs collection is striking and rich in symbolism. What inspired this series, and what do the insects represent in your universe?
Royal Bugs was born from a fascination with the natural world and its wisdom. Insects, though often overlooked, are true architects of balance: they pollinate, regenerate, and transform.
In my creative universe, they represent the connection between the subtle and the essential, the earthly and the sacred. I wanted to honor them by elevating their presence through the language of jewelry—sculptural forms that engage with precious stones to reveal their power, beauty, and purpose.
Each insect in this collection represents a call to look more closely at the magic that sustains life.
How would you describe your overall design aesthetic? What are the hallmarks of a Nelly Rojas piece?
My aesthetic is spiritual, architectural, and profoundly symbolic. A Nelly Rojas fine jewel stands out for its balance of form, color, proportion, and noble materials. It is crafted with precision yet infused with purpose and intention.
Its hallmarks include sculptural forms, a meaningful use of color through precious gemstones, and a constant search for significance that transcends beauty.
Each piece is a small universe, designed to connect, protect, and accompany the wearer on their personal journey.
What is one aspect of your creative process that might surprise your admirers?
Perhaps it would surprise people to know how much I rely on intuition and energetic alignment in my process. Beyond sketches and technical planning, I spend time meditating with stones, sensing their vibration, and letting their essence guide the design. It’s a dialogue between material and spirit, and often the stone “tells” me what it wants to become.
What message or feeling do you hope someone takes away when they wear a Nelly Rojas piece?
I want every person who wears a Nelly Rojas piece to feel empowered, grounded, and deeply connected—to themselves and to something greater. My jewelry is meant to be more than an accessory; it’s a companion, a talisman, a reminder of beauty with purpose. I hope it brings a sense of presence, authenticity, and inner strength.
Featured Image: Supernova Ring, Nelly Rojas Fine Jewelry
