Spanish jeweler seeks golden opportunity in China

Animals are a major source of inspiration for Spanish jewelry brand Carrera y Carrera. Photo provided to China Daily

She says men don't want to make mistakes, so they stick with big names to be safe.

But women, especially career women, want to express themselves and be different.

"Chinese women are confident, strong and powerful. They know what they want and they buy something because they like it－not because her friends have or her mother has," says Kuprianova, who has done business with Chinese companies for the past 17 years.

"Jewelry is very strong. If you aren't a celebrity, you should not wear big and shining jewelry. But jewelry can enhance your personality if it matches you."

Carrera y Carrera started in 1885 with a small workshop run by Saturio Esteban Carrera in Madrid. In 1960, it received commissions from the Belgian and Spanish royal families, and in 1968 it rose to fame in Paris immediately upon entering the city.

From the 1970s, it started to establish its signature style－large pieces with symbolic and figurative components with animal and human themes that are fundamentally feminine.

The animal kingdom provides the inspiration for its collections. The brand designs cats, serpents, elephants, tigers, eagles, crocodiles and giraffes among others. The creatures are carefully crafted in gold with vivid faces.