At 19 years old, Robert traveled to Bogotá Colombia to apprentice under local, master emerald cutters. This drive to go to the source of the materials with which he works has persisted throughout his storied career, and he continues to travel to the far corners of the earth to meet with miners and stone cutters, getting the full scope of the scientific and cultural impacts of these treasures of the earth. His empirical understanding of these natural resources has resulted in a veneration for their purity, which can be seen in his exclusive use of un-heated stones and the exalted level of his designs.

Robert’s reverence for the diamonds and gemstones with which he works is further expressed in the faith he places in his expert team of master craftsman, precision sketch engineers and experienced gemologists. With a shared vision, they work in tandem to create masterpieces that take their rightful place in the annals of seminal design.

This discerning approach has been a foundational tenet of Robert’s business from its inception and has earned him the honor of being the bespoke jeweler for both royalty and heads of state. The first American to be CEO of the Crown Jewelers, Robert served Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and cared for the crown jewels at the Tower of London.

Additional royal commissions have included the Royal Crown of India, the creation of the Malaysian Crown Jewels and the recreation of the Marie Antoinette Necklace. Throughout the years, due to his trusted reputation for quality and discretion, Robert has been entrusted to handle some of the most celebrated gemstones in existence, including the Cleopatra Sapphire, the Heart of the Kingdom Ruby and the 665 Carat Imperial Emerald.

Robert’s devotion to exceptional materials and singular design is on par with his passionate commitment to philanthropic endeavors and the promotion of social responsibility. In addition to curating renowned museums, including the Smithsonian and the Natural History Museum, collections he’s designed in collaboration with Brooke Shields and Angelina Jolie benefit charities near and dear to Robert’s heart.

Through The Luminous collection and The Style of Jolie collection, Robert’s work serves to aid women and children in conflict and duress, providing homes and schools to those most in need. Ensuring that all of the materials with which he works is ethically sourced and responsibly mined is vital to his brand ethos, and enhances the beauty of the intention behind each of the pieces he creates.