Our Story

Jewelry made with the spirit of rock & roll. Infused with the pure joy of being wildly alive. We are passionate about creating connections between the craft of jewelry making, inspired creativity and educating our customers about the value of precious stones. We are culture lovers and culture creators who make luxuriously handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces using the highest level of craftsmanship and ethically sourced materials from around the world.

Since the beginning, Carlos Lopez has had a vision for something unique. From Bali to Nepal, Jaipur to Hong Kong and the iconic streets of New York City, RockShop is the bridge between his two passions: music and fine jewelry making.

 

A Graduate Gemologist, Lopez earned his accreditation at the GIA in Manhattan, where he also worked in the 47th Street Diamond District. Carlos continued honing his craft on Jeweler’s Row in the South Wabash area of Chicago alongside some of the finest metalsmiths from around the world.

 

Eventually, his passion for travel and gemstones took him to Florence, Italy where he studied the art of jewelry design at the Italian Jewelry Academy, Le Arti Orafe. During his studies there, he had the opportunity to work with artisans from the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge. Throughout his globe trotting, Carlos heard first hand, the stories and origins of precious gems and jewelry making.

 

Returning home to St. Petersburg, Carlos discovered a rapidly changing and diverse city and chose Downtown St. Petersburg as his base. And together, with his wife Christie, they opened the RockShop on Central Avenue right in the heart of city’s rejuvenated energy.

 

Today, Carlos continues to bring together the magic from his past into his present, creating iconic and enduring pieces of custom jewelry. With a mission to educate people about the value culture and history of the world’s most rare and precious gems.