The origin of the RETINA® concept
The origin of the RETINA® concep
told by Stefan Wacha
How did I come up with that idea?
I often encounter this question. And it is justified. At first glance, it seems unusual to choose a medical detail as the starting point for jewelry design. But sometimes the strongest ideas arise precisely where different worlds collide.
The story begins in science. In the early 2000s, my path took me from Austria to Switzerland to pursue a doctorate in neurobiology. Hours spent at the microscope, my fascination with nerve cells, with the finest structures and the silent complexity of our bodies shaped my perspective. I was less fascinated by what could be measured than by the beauty of this inner order—a machinery of incredible precision, hidden yet life-determining.
After completing my doctorate, I took the step into the pharmaceutical industry. Challenging, successful, secure. And yet something was missing. The aesthetics of nature and the magic of discovery increasingly gave way to economic targets. During this phase, my wife opened her goldsmith’s studio in Basel. I was able to witness how craftsmanship, design, and sensuality come together—and discovered a new world in which beauty was once again the focus.
Support turned into passion. Passion turned into courage. I left my secure career path to build something of my own. Not because it was easier, but because it was more honest. From the very beginning, it was clear: we wanted to create jewelry that was personal. Not decorative, but meaningful. Custom-made, not interchangeable.
Over time, our company grew, as did our aspirations. With wedding rings in particular, we realized that individuality had to be more than just an engraving. Names, fingerprints, palm lines—all of these were already familiar. But something was missing: a personal touch that was also aesthetically pleasing.
The answer came from my former world. The retina.
The retina is unique, as individual as a fingerprint—and yet it possesses a quiet, organic beauty. Its structures are reminiscent of roots, branches, and fine ramifications. Some lines seem to embrace each other, others almost form hearts. And the eye has always been considered the window to the soul. A pattern that lies precisely at the boundary between our outer world and our inner experience – could there be a stronger symbolism?
From that moment on, it was clear: this is it.
The first steps were experimental. Retina images had to be captured, abstracted, and made usable for jewelry. It was a process full of trials, doubts, and discoveries—familiar from research, but new in a design context. But when the first results became visible, the feeling was clear: this idea works.
In 2019, we presented the concept internationally. The reactions were intense, often emotional, sometimes skeptical. But those who were willing to take a closer look quickly realized that it’s not about medical details. It’s about uniqueness. About a hidden pattern that shapes every human being. And about jewelry that is not only worn, but also carries meaning.
This is how RetinaDesign came into being—at the intersection of science, craftsmanship, and soul.