Jimmy Quiroga, a celebrated Cuban jeweler renowned as the "magician of jewelry," has successfully made a name for himself in the United States. His journey is the latest chapter in a family legacy that originated in Galicia, Spain, took root in Havana, Cuba, and since 1960, has been flourishing in Miami, Florida. In an interview with Telemundo, Quiroga shared that he arrived in the U.S. at just six months old. Here, he has carved out a path to success in jewelry making, known for his extraordinary ability to transform each piece into a masterpiece.
With the support of his wife, Vivian Quiroga, a trained lawyer who joined the family business, Jimmy Quiroga Designs upholds a heritage that spans three generations. From a young age, working alongside his father, he developed a passion for designing and crafting jewelry, a passion evident in every piece he creates today. "I was always by my father's side. Back then, the shop was open on Saturdays because we made jewelry for the company. I would come with him, play with the stones, and design and create," he recounted to Telemundo.
Artistry and Legacy in Every Piece
At his Miami workshop, Jimmy Quiroga Designs, photographs chronicle the rich history of the Quiroga family, and each client receives personalized attention to bring their desires to life. For him, every piece is a work of art, with a clear mission: to turn his clients' dreams into unique treasures. His creations, like wedding rings, symbolize the continuity of generations and the joy of life's most significant moments. "One of my favorite things is making wedding rings because they always bring so much happiness to people, and for me, that's divine," he noted.
Creating such jewelry also brings another layer of joy: "I made the rings for my clients, and now I'm making the rings for their children. I'm witnessing two different generations, and I have the privilege of doing so," he emphasized.
Tradition and Innovation in Miami
Jimmy and Vivian have transformed their workshop into a space where tradition, art, and family come together, continuing a legacy that began in Europe and now shines brightly in Miami. Many Cubans find opportunities for professional fulfillment outside their homeland. In Tampa, Florida, two Cuban women, with only two years in the U.S., ventured into launching a food truck, sharing their journey on social media to inspire fellow compatriots. One of them, who also serves as the "host" in each TikTok episode (@lacalientefoodtruck), described their venture as a story of overcoming challenges: "With just two years in the United States, we started our own food truck business in Tampa."
Meanwhile, Ariel Valdés Pinto, from Mayajigua, Sancti Spíritus, has found success in Tenerife with a sugarcane juice stand, where he cuts the cane the old-fashioned way—with a machete. His juice is sold plain and with flavors like lemon, mint, passionfruit, prickly pear (a superfood), and rum. In his TikTok videos, this Cuban farmer shares that he cuts the cane at seven in the evening so that it's fresh for the next day's sales at his Tacoronte stand, located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on Tenerife Island, one of the seven islands that make up the Canary Islands.