Federico's Story
The Story of Federico Jiménez
Federico Jiménez, originally from the tiny village of Tututepec, Mexico, now resides in Southern California where he is known as a foremost authority on Mexican silver, Pre-Columbian and Mixtec (pronounced “Mishtek”) jewelry.
An admirer of Native American craftsmanship and technique, Federico has taken his lapidary and design expertise to another level of beauty and creativity.
Over the course of his sixty-three year career, Federico has gained the recognition of admirers from around the world who wear and collect his jewelry.
Unlikely Historian
Federico Jiménez became interested in Meso-American art in his early years when he and his father uncovered a pre-Columbian Mixtec Indian pectoral chest plate buried under their house. With the sudden ownership of the ancient pectoral, his appetite for antiquities grew, sending him from village to village in search of more.
In addition to jewelry, he also started collecting Meso-American Indian costumes. His private collection includes pieces from the contemporary, colonial, and pre-Columbian periods.
Original works created by Federico Jiménez are generally bold in size, and many are decorated with colorful stones includingnatural turquoise,coral, opals, or various types ofshells.
Some Federico's designs include his interpretation of interesting wirework pieces in silver, although many were traditionally made of gold. They often include motifs like flowers, ribbons, and animals such as birds. He has created many impressive pieces including bold statement necklaces that are among his most popular designs among collectors.
Iconic Craftsman
Federico has organized exhibitions and acquired pieces for institutions such as UCLA Museum of Cultural History and the National Folk Art Museum in Santa Fe. He displays many pieces of his jewelry in the Anthropological Museum in Mexico City and the Museo Belber in Oaxaca, Mexico. His collection includes textiles, jewelry, religious artifacts, and clothing.
Living and working in the Los Angeles area, Federico is a popular designer for those in the entertainment industry. Ali McGraw can be seen modeling many of his designs in magazines. His pieces are also worn by Christie Brinkley and Elle McPherson, and once you know his style, you’ll spot his designs being worn by many in the music, television, and art worlds.
His current offerings are traditional and elegant stories in turquoise and coral, show-stopping in their simplicity.