Located in the old part of town of Geneva, Racine is a double love story between two human beings and gems lovers who fell in love before deciding to launch their brand. A few days away from the Gem Genève show, The Eye of Jewelry sat down with Pedro and his wife to talk about the expansion of the brand just one year after the official launch.
Pedro Oselieri grew up in Brazil, his wife Myriam grew up in Norway. The two combined have more than 20 years of experience. She started her career working in pearls while he started his working in antique jewelry and for a colored stones dealer. They are both under 35 years-old and have two adorable daughters. They are passionate gemmologists prior to being jewelry designers. They met in London where they both lived at the same time because their enrolled at the GIA the same year. Now Geneva is their home. Making jewelry is something they have always loved doing. Launching their own brand gave them the freedom to manage their time. And if we were to ask them who are they … they would naturally respond that they are a small brand that has yet to expand and make one of a kind exclusive pieces of jewelry. Everything is made in Geneva by hand with the desire to perpetrate the old-school craftmanship of how jewelry used to be made while adding a modern touch to their designs. The stones are handpicked, the drawings are hand-painted, the metal used for the structure of each piece is casted by local artisans. Pedro and his wife want their brand Racine to solely work with a network of artisans who are the best at what they do. Explanations.
Oselieri-Racine – Art Déco “Lampiao” earrings mounted on blackened gold and set with emeralds, diamonds and natural pearls
The Eye of Jewelry: HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACINE ! IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR – WHAT HAPPENED?
Pedro Oselieri-Racine, co-founder of Racine. Shortly after we launched the brand last year, we were approached by jewelry historian and journalist Vivienne Becker who offered us to showcase our pieces as part of the Emerging Talents section. We were at the very beginning of our adventure and thought that it was a great visibility considering that we would dive head first in the center of the Geneva jewelry world.
TEOJ- WHY DID YOU CHANGE THE NAME OF THE BRAND?
P.O When we first launched the brand a year ago under the name of Pedro Oselieri- Racine we soon realized the difficulty it was to remember and spell it out properly, therefore we only kept Racine.
TEOJ – WHAT DID GEM GENÈVE BRING YOU?
P.O. We had great journalists that approached us which was good for the exposure – but I am not going to lie, it was difficult in terms of acquiring new clients.
TEOJ- YOU WENT FROM EMERGING TALENT TO MAIN EXHIBITOR – WHAT IS NEXT?
P.O. Being part of the Emerging Talents during the first edition of Gem Genève last year was very fresh for us considering that we had been working on the collection for three years. This year, we will be attending this time as exhibitors with our own booth showing 11 unique pieces. Then, we will be going to the Antique show in Vegas early June during JCK and Couture.
TEOJ – HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR BRAND RACINE TO BE A CONTEMPORARY JEWELRY BRAND?
P.O. Everything is in the design and it cannot be computer designed! Exclusively made by hand with people who have years of experience. It’s a skill that would be a shame to get rid of or not to use. We have an antique look with modern stones.
TEOJ – HOW DO YOU POSITION YOUR BRAND ON THE MARKET?
P.O. I would say that we are on the higher price point ranging from CHF 22’000 to 50’000.- We don’t imagine ourselves having a boutique to show the pieces it is not our goal. If you become too big you end up losing control.
TEOJ- WHAT IS THE PROCESS WHEN YOU CREATE A COMISSION PIECE?
P.O. It varies from one client to another, but usually, we ask them to pick a stone from a tray where we lay dozens of colored gems. Then, we create 3 designs, go one with drafts, and make the piece. That’s the fun part and very rewarding!
TEOJ- WHERE DO YOU FIND YOUR STONES?
P.O. A lot of the stones we are buying come from small families, local mines or businesses. We also get a lot of stones from Auction houses that we re-use from antique jewelry pieces… It is a way of being environmentally friendly. We only work with people that we trust. It would be a dream to travel to get stones … but for now we cannot.
TEOJ- WHY USING ALMOST ONLY COLORED STONES?
P.O., We believe that colored stones are more special, they have more identity… considering that you find diamonds everywhere!
TEOJ – WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?
P.O. Seeing that our clients are happy and loyal. They are very considerate. We love when our clients understand and see what they get. In other words, they appreciate what we appreciate from the stones that are chosen, the craftmanship and technicality of the jewel and time put into the making of a piece. We want to see they eyes shine and have their heart beat fast.
TEOJ- YOU MENTION HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO GET CLIENTS WHEN YOU START A BRAND HAVING ONLY HAVE LIMITED STOCK OF UNIQUE PIECES- HOW DO YOU KEEP GOING?
P.O. Being both gemmologists, we sell gemstones to clients and make engagement rings. That’s for now what pays the bills and make us keep on producing new unique pieces.
TEOJ- WHY SOLELY MAKING UNIQUE PIECES?
P.O. The Uniqueness of a piece is the most important thing. When someone spends that much money on a piece – they would not want to see it elsewhere. So, there is no need to make the same piece twice.
TEOJ- LATEST GEMSTONE CRUSH?
P.O. A Rubellite we will make into a ring!
TEOJ- WHY ARE YOU ONLY MAKING RINGS AND EARRINGS?
P.O. That’s what we have been doing for now because it more wearable than bracelets or necklaces but it’s not something we will never do. I am actually in the process of negotiating with my wife to do a necklace!
