History

The birth of a great brand

Saturio Esteban Carrera, a young man born in the lands of the Archpriest of Hita, immigrates to Madrid to establish a small jewelry business in the so-called Barrio de las Letras. From his small and simple workshop, Saturio never imagined that his legacy would become one of the leading fine jewelry companies worldwide, and a pillar for the Spanish jewelry industry.

A family tradition

José Esteban Carrera, Saturio’s son, learns the jewelry trade in Paris. Upon his return, he decides to continue the family tradition and opens a workshop on Santa Isabel Street in Madrid. Having no sons, he teaches his trade to his four nephews: José, Saturio, Pedro, and Andrés. Under the tutelage of their uncle, the family creates a revolutionary style in the cutting and engraving of gems.

Manuel Carrera opens his own workshop

After having learned the trade from the great jewelers of Madrid of the period, Manuel Carrera, great-grandson of Saturio Esteban Carrera, opens his own jewelry workshop in the Madrid of the Austrians (the old center of Madrid) – a perfect location that would serve as inspiration for the later style of the brand. A unique and groundbreaking style that would last for several decades.

Baselworld opens its doors to Carrera y Carrera

In addition to annually attending Iberjoya, the Spanish jewelry trade fair, Carrera y Carrera decides to exhibit in the third edition of Baselworld, the prestigious international jewelry and watch fair. From that moment on Carrera y Carrera faithfully keeps its annual rendez vous at Baselworld. Currently, the brand exhibits in the hall of global brands next to major international jewelry and watch firms. One of the first collections presented at the fair was the successful Edén, inspired by love.

The unique style of the brand

From the company’s inception it was very clear that to be successful a point of differentiation was extremely important. To achieve this, a unique and groundbreaking style was created, based on the creation of larger pieces with a strong symbolic and figurative component with animal and, above all, human themes that were fundamentally feminine. A unique style where the work in volumes and meticulous artistry elevated the collections to the pinnacle of jewelry. This style expressed itself in successful collections such as Bonadea, the first international success for the brand, also known as the Las Manos (“Hands”) collection.

A recognizable brand thanks to its unique design

Carrera y Carrera renews its image and launches a new corporate identity. Meanwhile, Carrera y Carrera continues to reinforce itself through a strong inspiration in the natural world that will continue throughout the years and allow the brand’s designs to be recognized internationally. The animal world is the constant of this era: felines, serpents, and elephants are just a few of the animals that have formed part of the Carrera y Carrera jewelry menagerie.

Carrera y Carrera in the White House

In the 1980s, Carrera y Carrera presents President Ronald Reagan of the United States with a gift of El Rodeo, an allegorical sculpture in silver and calcite, currently on exhibit in the White House Museum.

The first Carrera y Carrera boutique

The first Carrera y Carrera boutique opens on Serrano Street in Madrid, the Spanish Golden Mile. Over 25 years later the company continues to have a presence on this street that represents luxury in Spain.

Carrera y Carrera works admired by the Spanish Royal Family

Carrera y Carrera gradually becomes a favorite among the aristocracy, the upper middle class, and royalty all over the world. Her Majesty Queen Sofía, a great admirer of the brand, becomes in 1992 the godmother of a spectacular piece created by Manuel Carrera and the artisan goldsmiths of Carrera y Carrera – El Arca del Descrubimiento del Quinto Centenario. (“The Ark of Discovery of the Fifth Centennial”).

Carrera y Carrera begins its successful course in Russia

During the 90s Carrera y Carrera continues its international expansion into new markets. In 1994, the brand begins its successful course in Russia, one of its most important markets where the brand is in high demand. Lovers of jewelry art admire and appreciate the brand’s unique style. Since that time, Carrera y Carrera has become one of the most prestigious and sought after jewelry firms in Russia and Eastern European markets.

“El sueño de Ícaro” in the Kremlin Museum

The sculpture El sueño de Ícaro (“Icarus’ Dream”), a spectacular piece belonging to the company’s private collection, is exhibited in the most important jewelry museum in the world, the Armory Museum in the Kremlin.

Aqua, an iconic piece

The Aqua ring, with its voluminous shapes and cashmere patterns as inspiration, launches this year and in a short amount of time becomes one of the brand icons and an international best-seller. Numerous celebrities have worn this piece through the years.

Celebrities love Bestiario

Many celebrities have fallen prey to the pieces of the Bestiario collection. Wild animals that reemerge with all of their strength give life to a stunning collection. Tigers, eagles, serpents, crocodiles, and giraffes comprise a collection where sculptures crafted in gold do not go unnoticed.

Arrival in China

Following the warm reception of the brand during the Universal Expo of Shanghai in 2010, Carrera y Carrera finally arrives in China with a flagship store in Beijing. Carrera y Carrera crosses borders once more to bring its exclusive pieces to this country, a market with strong demand for the company’s creations and essential to any international brand.

Manuel Carrera once again designs for the company

Paying tribute to the essence of Carrera y Carrera, brand founder Manuel Carrera unveils his private collection. A series of limited edition pieces inspired by two iconic Carrera y Carrera collections, Edén and Bonadea, where once again the jewelry sculpture concept that has brought so much success to the brand over time is made manifest.