Castilla la mancha Los Yanes, the saga of jewelers from a small town in Toledo that has conquered the Royal House

Unique, personalized and one hundred percent Spanish. Such are the creations of Yanes, one of the most prestigious jewelry stores in our country that, with 160 years of history, still today preserves the style and quality inherited from its founder, Claudio Yanes. The firm, now in the hands of the fifth generation, has never abandoned the spirit or philosophy of its predecessors: "The commitment to sign a jewel means that time does not pass by." A motto that has followed to the letter since its origins and that has led it to become the favorite brand of renowned personalities, including Queen Letizia.

Claudio Yanes, born in 1807 in San Martín de Pusa (Toledo), was the promoter of the firm. Descendant of a Jewish family and ceramic artisans, he lived in Malpica de Tajo for 32 years, where he worked as a teacher until his vocation as a goldsmith was born in 1858 after the discovery of the Guarrazar Treasure, an impressive set of jewels from the Visigothic period in the who was inspired to create sketches, cartoons and works that are still preserved. Among the great legacy he left behind is the famous 'Malpica' collection, which was so successful and which today continues to be one of Yanes' best sellers.

Commissions for the wedding of Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia

When Claudio was about to die, he left everything to the will of his wife and children, whom he commissioned to open a jewelry store in Madrid that he saw light in 1881. However, it was not until 1906, on the occasion of the wedding of the Kings Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia, when the brand began to gain popularity. "At that time we were not important, but the designs we had were significant, different and very beautiful, which led many prestigious guests to buy us jewelry to give to the Kings. From there we began to stand out," says Jesús Yanes, honorary president of the brand and great-grandson of the founder.

The third generation, led by Esteban Yanes, joined the business in 1914 and managed to revolutionize jewelry. Although the young man continued with the traditional canons and the philosophy of his father and grandfather, he began to dare with new trends that gave rise to the 'Alhambra' collection, which has evolved to become one of the best sellers in the last 20 years. During that time, Esteban taught the trade to his son Jesús, who in the 70s took over with his wife Manuela, contributing a new version of modern jewelry.

Contact with the Royal House

"Manuela was faithful at all times to the Yanes collection, forming part of a character and an image identified with the design of women", says Jesús proudly. Both opened the first establishment in the Salamanca district of the capital and created thousands of exclusive pieces for the most demanding clientele. In addition, in recognition of their prestige and quality work, they were commissioned to reproduce the most important pieces from the silver collection of the Royal Palace of Madrid. "We created 40 unique pieces that went around the world," he says.

From that moment on, the couple began to maintain very direct contact with Doña Sofía and Don Juan Carlos. "We reformed many jewels and we gave them small details of the company," says Jesús Yanes, who also came to order some prototypes from the British Royal House.

Finally, in the 80s, the fifth generation took over the jewelry business, made up of Marian, Cristina, Jesús, Juan, and Luis. Motivated by the need to expand the brand at the turn of the century and bring the firm closer to a younger audience, they launched the Yanes Young line. However, despite its innovations, the goal has always been to preserve the style, personality and charisma inherited from its predecessors. Currently, it is Cristina, Juan and Luis Yanes who hold the generational continuity of the brand.

Each generation preserves an exclusive piece

All generations of Yanes have launched different innovations and trends. For this reason, each one of them preserves an exclusive jewel as family patrimony. The 'Belle Époque' brooches survive from the first; from the second, the 'Seven Roses' bracelet; from the third, the barazalete 'Alhambra'; from the fourth, the 'Nine Roses' diamond tiara -created to be worn by all the brides in the family-, and from the fifth, a necklace with 137 gems of different natures designed by Cristina Yanes.

However, despite the fact that the designs have evolved, the craftsmanship and care in the elaboration of each piece continue to be essential. Thus, the production process has several phases: design, choice of technique and raw material, selection of stone, casting, enamelling, engraving, polishing and punching. A long process with which it is intended to preserve the style of these jewels, unique throughout the world.

Take the name of Claudio to the top

This year, the jewelry store has celebrated its 160th anniversary and the Yanes family has a clear objective: that the name of Claudio Yanes be recognized in Castilla-La Mancha -his home community- and throughout the country. "He designed a product that today is in many places and deserves to be highlighted. It is worth doing it for all the history behind it," highlights Jesús Yanes, who has just inaugurated the work 'Art of Loving' at the University of Castilla -La Mancha to pay homage to his great-grandfather.

This exhibition, which aims to highlight the different ways of loving, has been complemented with poems by the Toledo poet, member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Historical Sciences of Toledo and the International Association of Researchers, José María Gómez Gómez . The result has been an exquisite embrace between works of high jewelery and cultured intellectual poetry.

"My father transmitted to me for years the importance of women and love between couples, a series of commandments that he had to print on the Yanes jewels", says the jeweler, who describes this work as his "great illusion" .

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