Maison Raksha: From Iconic Grills to Audacious Timepieces, Jonathan Raksha Carves a Legacy in Bespoke Luxury

The press tour for Wuthering Heights was a whirlwind, but for those with a keen eye for detail, a specific accessory on Jacob Elordi captured significant attention: his now-talked-about grill. This custom piece, a testament to the artistry of Jonathan Raksha, founder of Maison Raksha, was meticulously hand-engraved with the initials "C" and "H," and adorned with two brilliant diamonds. This subtle yet profound tribute pays homage to the film’s tempestuous central lovers, Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, encapsulating their enduring, albeit fraught, connection within a single, striking piece of jewelry.

This was not the first collaboration between Raksha and Elordi. Their professional relationship began in Toronto, where Elordi was filming Frankenstein. Shortly after his appointment as a global ambassador for Bottega Veneta in 2024, Elordi sought out Raksha, initially to commission a set of grills. "On that visit, I showed him some watches," Raksha recalls, detailing the serendipitous turn of events. "He came back the following year for the Toronto International Film Festival and said, ‘I want to pick up one of those watches that I tried on.’"

The coveted timepiece in question was an Audemars Piguet Bamboo Day-Date Moonphase. Raksha describes it as exceptionally rare, noting, "It’s quite rare. So rare that even Audemars Piguet can’t give us a definitive number of how many were produced." This rarity, coupled with its unique aesthetic, likely contributed to Elordi’s fascination. The Audemars Piguet Bamboo line, known for its distinctive gold construction and often elaborate gemstone settings, represents a departure from the brand’s more ubiquitous designs like the Royal Oak. Raksha’s personal affinity for these watches stems from a blend of pragmatism and aesthetic appreciation. "They’re made of gold," he explains. "Back [when I bought them], they were trading close to melt value. I thought, worst-case scenario, I could melt them down and recover what I paid." Beyond their intrinsic value, Raksha is drawn to their "eccentricity." He elaborates, "There are about two dozen variations, which makes them fun to collect. They are sort of outrageous – with diamonds, gems, and sapphires set under the glass. But they don’t make a big announcement like the Royal Oak or the Patek Philippe Nautilus." This appreciation for the understated yet extraordinary aligns perfectly with Raksha’s own design philosophy.

For Elordi, the Audemars Piguet Bamboo represented more than just a rare find; it was the cornerstone of his burgeoning watch collection. "It also happened to be the first watch he ever bought for himself – the foundation of a collection he has built gradually over the course of his career, now standing at 20 timepieces," Raksha shares. Elordi’s attachment to the watch is profound, as he states, "Only for the very right price will I let them go." Clearly, the allure of the Audemars Piguet was strong enough to meet that threshold for Raksha.

However, parting with such a significant piece was not an easy decision for Raksha. He admits, "I tried to steer him towards a different watch. But he was adamant – and very charming. I was easily convinced." Elordi’s persistence and charm ultimately swayed Raksha, and the sale proved to be a significant moment, ultimately bringing considerable attention to the coveted Audemars Piguet Bamboo model.

Raksha’s own journey into the world of high jewelry and luxury timepieces began in his native Toronto. From a young age, he displayed a passion for art, honing his skills in drawing and painting before embarking on a formal jewelry education. He left his three-year program two and a half years in, driven by a burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit and a business that was already gaining traction. Within months, he was collaborating with established artists, a testament to his innate talent and drive.

One of his earliest high-profile commissions involved crafting custom gold teeth for the acclaimed rapper A$AP Rocky. In the nascent stages of his career, Raksha quickly gained recognition for his ornate and technically demanding grills, prioritizing both aesthetic spectacle and wearer comfort. "Fitment was an issue back then," he notes, "But [our teeth] had a reputation for being comfortable." His expertise extended to creating grills for Post Malone, famously featured in his "White Iverson" music video, further solidifying his reputation in the hip-hop and celebrity circuits.

Despite his success in the grillz niche, Raksha harbored ambitions beyond this specific market. "I wanted to be recognized for more than just teeth," he asserts. His time spent in Los Angeles proved instrumental in expanding his network and exposing him to a wider array of clientele. Backstage at concerts and at exclusive late-night gatherings, he actively engaged with A-listers, subtly promoting his craft. "I wasn’t concerned if it was appropriate or not," he says candidly about his proactive approach to showcasing his work to influential figures.

This proactive networking yielded a diverse range of commissions. He designed a pair of custom glasses for singer Daniel Caesar and a gold toothpick for rapper G-Eazy. For 1800 Tequila, Raksha undertook a groundbreaking and experimental project: creating laboratory-grown diamonds using carbon derived from agave plants. These diamonds were then compressed and crystallized into stones for brooches, notably worn by Janelle Monáe at the Met Gala. To his knowledge, this was an unprecedented feat, stating, "It had never been done from tequila." This project exemplified Raksha’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of material science and jewelry design, merging the worlds of spirits, luxury, and cutting-edge technology.

Raksha’s approach to bespoke commissions is characterized by a deep consideration for narrative and meaning. When a client sought a piece for his infant daughter, named June – a name associated with the Roman goddess Juno – Raksha eschewed the conventional approach of spelling out the name in diamonds. Instead, he meticulously sourced a mythological depiction of Juno with her peacock and translated it into an exquisite 18-carat rose gold pendant. "It meets his objective," he explains, "but it’s more romantic. One day she’ll inherit it." This thoughtful design prioritizes longevity and sentimental value, creating a timeless heirloom rather than a fleeting trend.

Among his personal favorite creations is a striking 19-carat diamond ring designed for J Balvin. The ring features an invisible setting, where the stones are cut and slotted with such precision that the metal setting entirely disappears, creating an illusion of pure, unadulterated brilliance. "There’s nothing else like it," Raksha declares with pride. However, he also humorously admits to the anxiety this delicate craftsmanship induces, given the wearer’s penchant for pushing its limits: "[Balvin] abuses it. We’re always in the repair shop." This anecdote highlights the inherent tension between creating ultra-fine luxury pieces and the realities of their use by their owners.

Pushing the boundaries of technical execution, Raksha has also developed the MRO2, a piece he considers his most technically ambitious to date. Constructed from sapphire crystal, a material more commonly found in the intricate world of high watchmaking, the MRO2 draws inspiration from the engineering prowess of brands like Richard Mille. "It’s the closest thing we’ve made to the complexity of a watch," he reveals, signaling a clear direction for Maison Raksha’s most exclusive offerings. "That’s the direction I want to take our highest offerings." This ambition to integrate horological complexity into his jewelry designs signifies a bold evolution for the brand, positioning it at the intersection of haute joaillerie and avant-garde engineering.

Maison Raksha’s evolution from crafting statement grills to producing pieces that rival the complexity of high-end watches reflects Jonathan Raksha’s multifaceted talent and his unwavering dedication to innovation. His ability to imbue each creation with personal meaning, historical context, and cutting-edge craftsmanship has cemented his reputation as a formidable force in the luxury jewelry landscape. Whether it’s a subtle nod to literary romance through a diamond-studded grill or an audacious exploration of material science in a sapphire crystal masterpiece, Raksha consistently delivers pieces that are not just adornments, but enduring works of art. His journey, marked by a blend of artistic vision, entrepreneurial drive, and a deep understanding of his clientele, continues to redefine the possibilities of bespoke luxury.