Mayet dela Rosa Fine Jewelry is one of the most trusted names in Philippine jewelry today. But the brand’s beginnings were anything but glamorous.
Founded in 2006 by husband-and-wife team Mayet and Richard dela Rosa, the business started with a small pawnshop and a shared dream in creating meaningful pieces that carry personal stories.
“I came from extreme poverty. My father was a farmer and my mother was a housewife. We had nothing. We had to rely on relatives for help. That became my motivation,” dela Rosa recalled.
Dela Rosa entered the industry as a saleswoman in her brother’s jewelry shop in Manila, where she quickly earned a reputation for her dedication and customer service.
“Maybe the universe was telling me this was my world. I was really meant for this,” she said in an interview.
After a decade, she left the family business and opened her own pawnshop in Las Piñas in 2000. In 2006, she and her husband launched their first jewelry store under her name on Recto Avenue in Santa Cruz, Manila.
“I had enough experience and savings. I invested in a business, bought a car, a house. But after all that, I only had P500,000 left. That was what we used to start our jewelry store,” she said.
To expand the business, they had to pawn their car.
Brand ambassador DJ Nicole Hyala says every piece of Mayet Dela Rosa Fine Jewelry tells a story. PHOTOS FROM MAYETDELAROSA.COM
“It’s hard to start with P500,000 because no one trusts you yet. You need display inventory. I eventually saved P2 million, but to open a proper jewelry store, you need at least P5 million,” she explained.
The store began by offering buy-and-sell services and custom designs.
“I bought scrap and broken jewelry, melted them into gold bars, and sold them to the central bank. That’s what I did almost every day. When I finally had enough for a display, I was very careful with my money.
Eventually, we expanded to malls. I built my name, and people began to trust me,” she said.
Today, the company has 20 branches and employs over 100 people.
“What truly sets us apart is that everyone understands customer experience,” she proudly noted.
Despite the business growth, dela Rosa remains hands-on with her clients.
“I’m always surprised when clients from Canada, the US, or ship captains come straight to see me. I’m very involved when it comes to jewelry.”
For dela Rosa, jewelry is more than a luxury but a symbol of success and identity.
“When I look at the pieces, I tell myself, ‘Wow, I’ve achieved what I once only dreamed of.’ And people notice — they ask how many carats the jewelry is, and suddenly your value goes up in their eyes. But it’s not just about self-worth. I want to help others because I know what it’s like to have nothing,” she added.
The brand is built on what it calls “soul crafting” — designing with intention to capture important life milestones, from weddings and graduations to births and goodbyes.
Brand ambassador DJ Nicole Hyala said every piece tells a story.
“We want every stage of your life to have a Mayet dela Rosa Fine Jewelry piece that speaks to it. Whether it represents struggle, something that makes you feel beautiful, or an investment to help your family — there’s a connection. There’s a Mayet dela Rosa Fine Jewelry piece behind every story,” she said.
“That’s also what Mayet says — she wants to be remembered as someone who helped you in any part of your life. So you can assure that every piece is intentional,” she added.
For young women aspiring to start their own businesses, Dela Rosa shares this advice: “Don’t say you can’t — you can. Remember that you are capable. God doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle. I pushed through the hardest times, and if you truly want something, you’ll find a way.”
Indeed, with boutiques in major malls and a growing bespoke atelier, the brand remains as grounded in personal connection and quality as it was at the start.
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