Designer John Atencio Estate Round Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring

For Coloradoan John Atencio (b. 1950), jewelry making blossomed from an early interest in art and design when he took a jewelry course as an elective while studying business at Colorado State University. When it came time to propose to his girlfriend, Atencio realized that no store-bought ring felt special enough, so he ended up designing the perfect silver engagement ring from scratch. The process inspired Atencio to develop his own jewelry-making business, first selling pieces out of the back of his Volkswagen van in the early 1970s before opening his first brick-and-mortar shop in Fort Collins in 1976. Today, he runs a number of boutiques across Colorado.

Atencio still sketches each piece of jewelry in his collection by hand, developing distinctive rings, bracelets, earrings and other accessories. He is particularly inspired by the natural beauty of Colorado, from the undulating shapes of its mountains to the brightness of its sunshine. As a brand, John Atencio specializes in bold design choices, whether that’s asymmetrical settings, unusual silhouettes or funky patterns. It’s also known for its trillion-cut stones, which Atencio started to incorporate into his jewelry in the 1990s.

Rings are still the company’s signature piece of jewelry, from engagement rings to wedding bands to cocktail rings. Diamonds might be Atencio’s favorite stone, but you’ll find vibrant gemstones like tanzanite, turquoise, amethyst and garnet, plus more unusual options like kyanite and prasiolite.

Find a collection of John Atencio jewelry on 1stDibs.