Reagan John Rada: Enlightening the world through sparkles of gems, entrepreneurship and philanthropy
By Cristina DC Pastor
In the brisk winter of 2023, Reagan John Rada treated himself to a well-earned Christmas gift: He bought a gem and pearl store.
“This is a big and unusual purchase,” he said as he showed The FilAm around his shop of sparklers in the Diamond District on 47th Street one block away from the Philippine Consulate on Fifth Avenue.
The Diamond District in Midtown Manhattan is said to be the biggest jewelry belt in the world. It spans three streets (46, 47 and 48 streets) and two avenues (Fifth and Sixth). In this three-block radius of a zone, RJP Gems is the only 100% owned Filipino store!
“You cannot find a more comprehensive library of gemstones anywhere in this district,” he proudly declared.
RJP Gems houses an “extensive collection” of precious, semi-precious, organic and earth gemstones. His bestsellers are ruby, sapphire, emerald, and pearls. Depending on what the calendar is, stones for the subsequent season usually enjoy brisk sales in the current period.
“Just like in fashion where the Spring collection begins to unveil during the Winter season,” he explained. Birthstones are hot items too because there will always be people adding to their personal collections.
Aside from Reagan’s Gem World, inside his store is also a fashion jewelry charm bar named Endearest. Throughout the years, he collected various charms that can be made into necklaces and bracelets as well as some of the most fun tiny treasures.
“For me, jewelry is for everyone, regardless of price points,” Reagan said.
In year 2000, he started his jewelry endeavor as a runner boy and janitor in a small jewelry shop in downtown Los Angeles. From there, he learned most of the aspects of the back end of jewelry making and designs while trying to survive in the shadows as an undocumented immigrant. In 2005, the jewelry company where he worked for was acquired by The House of Taylor Jewelry Company owned by the legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor. He was promoted to director of Fulfillment and Designs and his talent in designing jewelry was recognized. This resulted in him being awarded his green card and eventually, American citizenship.
“The reason I purchased the gem store is so I can create as much jewelry as I can,” he said, flashing a naughty smile. “This is a dream come true for all the designers who are looking for things to create jewelry.” Some of these designers, he revealed, “are my competitors.”
The store was previously owned by a friend, an Indian entrepreneur who had been in the business more than 40 years and decided to retire.
“The owner is a good friend of mine for 15 years. His name is Kumar. I’ve been buying gems, beads and pearls from him for more than a decade,” he said. “For some reason I feel like he didn’t want to sell it to just about anybody, so he waited for the right person. He’s my friend, and he offered it to me. It took me a year to decide.”
In exchange, Kumar can continue to work in the store. “So he’s my employee now,” said Reagan.
Pearls and jade
Filipino women are partial to pearls, he said. Also jade and diamonds. Pearls can safely go with any style look, jade symbolizes prosperity based on Chinese belief, and diamonds are a rich girl’s bling. He believes pearls can nicely complement the Filipiniana dress, making it look even more sophisticated and elegant.
As one enters the RJP store, the walls closest to the door carry necklaces that are most inexpensive — anywhere from $24 to $30 per strand. As one moves around and goes deeper into the shop, the prices progress into the hundreds of dollars. Some exorbitantly priced pieces are under lock and key in glass cases, safes or vaults. Included in the inventory are a necklace made of natural rubies selling for $17,500; another necklace in blue tanzanite at $24,600 and a sapphire ring price-tagged at $135,000. The house rule holds: No photographs of the ring.
His clients come from as far as Brazil, Kazakhstan and Canada. Because the store already had a 43-year provenance under Kumar, it has acquired a comprehensive collection of gems as well as a devoted following.
“If you’re looking for something, whatever it is, most likely we have it,” he said.
Currently, Reagan supports dozens of independently women-owned jewelry start-ups and stores though a consignment program. By way of this effort, it provides inventory without the stores purchasing the actual goods. He also mentors several newly graduates of design, takes them under his wing and provides them with the skills and knowledge until they can confidently create their own brand.
Reagan is currently the president and founding partner of RJP Ventures which count multiple real estate properties in three states as well as a financial management company focusing on equities and private equity investments. The company also owns and manages multiple commercial and residential developments in Manila as well as the RJP Place, a small boutique hotel and commercial building in his hometown of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte, Bicol region. The recently opened Reagan’s Cafe and Billiard Center continues the expansion of his real estate holdings in both Metro Manila and Bicol.
Visit the RJP Gems showroom on 29 West 47th Street Ground Floor, New York.
