San Diego-based jeweler honors Hispanic heritage with her designs [Video]

SAN DIEGO — We are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Santos Oñate. A Latina-owned, San Diego-made jewelry company inspired by the designer’s Spanish and Mexican heritage.

Melanie Kartalija was in The Basque Country of Spain following in the steps of her ancestors when she was so inspired by the culture and architecture, it changed her life. 

“The balconies. The doors. The railings. The beautiful shapes that are in the buildings. I thought to myself, I need to do something with this. I want to create these pieces that remind me of this area and when I wear it I feel like I’m back there,” Kartalija said.

She came home to San Diego and poured her inspiration into her own jewelry line called Santos Oñate. 

“That is my great grandmother’s name, and she came over to the US …