José María Goñi had his early approach to the luxury world when he was a child. His half French, half Japanese grandmother, Harriete Hou Carrier, owned a striking collection of European jewelry, which was his primary source of inspiration. In this way, the origin of his perspective and concept of beauty and esthetics was conceived. Furthermore, his grandfather, who owned gold mines, was from whom he inherited a concrete preference for gems and metals.

Bachelor of textile design at the University of Palermo, in Paris, the Chilean designer refined his talent with specific studies in art and gemology.