Luis González Bahamonde began the personal project that would give rise to Ardentia, currently one of the most renowned Galician jewellery firms, when he was just 19 years old. With no family background in the sector, "and with the daring that comes from the ignorance of being young", his first steps were in high school, making bracelets for his classmates' end-of-year excursion. With his first sales at A Coruña's old flea market or in Pontedeume's feirón, a type of market, he invested in books, materials and tools to advance in his process of self-taught learning, which ended in Santiago with the support and training of the late Suso Bautís, a well-known goldsmith from Compostela.

35 years later, the craftsman and creator of Ardentia believes that the key to success has been a clear component of passion and enthusiasm combined with the spirit of constant improvement and the ever-present principle of designing recognisable pieces that are not just more of the same. From the very beginning, this was coupled with a commercial vision that went a step beyond the standards of the day. "I focused on ensuring that the product, while being different, original and very personal, also had characteristics in terms of quality, finishes and presentation that would allow it to compete on equal terms in the usual jewellery outlets", he stresses.

Shortly afterwards, they also decided to explore the foreign market. In 1992, they began to exhibit at professional trade fairs in Madrid and Barcelona. Later, they decided to exhibit at leading international events such as Inhorgenta (Germany) and Bijorhca (Paris). "Based on our desire to do things well and to focus on a product with authenticity and origin, when we went abroad, we raised the level even higher and learned a lot from the experience, competing with a product that was on an equal footing with designer jewellery firms from other parts of Europe", explains González Bahamonde.

They have worked for clients all over the world, from the Maldives to Abu Dhabi via Tallinn and Hong Kong. At present, they are very focused on establishing themselves in the Galician and national market. In addition to online sales, they have also opened a new path by opening their own points of sale, with shops in Vigo, A Coruña and recently in Santiago.

Quality, tradition and modernity

Ardentia has received both the Artesanía de Galicia and Galicia Calidade certifications. "These are two ways that help a lot to frame the type of piece we make when a customer approaches us. They round off your brand and the perception that people have of it, of a special artisan product, which speaks of a region, but which at the same time is universally Atlantic".

In their Bergondo workshop, which employs 9 people, they combine the most innovative techniques and tools in the sector with an irreplaceable artisan process. "85% of the processing of our pieces is entirely manual", explains González Bahamonde. Their position in the market and philosophy of sharing knowledge - more than 85 workshops in northwest Spain have participated in their courses over the last few years - have made them "small and honest benchmarks in the sector".

For the founder of Ardentia, it is time to reinforce all that has been achieved over the years and enjoy the connection with the customer. "Seeing the brand values reflected in the people who buy from us and in the words they use to talk about our work is the most satisfying thing", he concludes.