Peter Schmid, born and raised in southern Germany, discovered his passion for craftsmanship at an early age. After training as a goldsmith and jewelry designer at the prestigious Berufskolleg für Design, Schmuck und Gerät in Schwäbisch Gmünd, he expanded his artistic horizons with a scholarship to study the traditional Japanese lacquer technique urushi at Escola Masana in Barcelona. Drawn to the expressive jewelry in the window of Atelier Zobel in Konstanz, Germany, Schmid began working with founder Michael Zobel in 1995, learning the atelier’s distinctive fusion techniques and approaches to color, form, and material.
After a decade as part of Zobel’s workshop, Schmid became the atelier’s creative director and owner in 2005, carrying forward its legacy of bold, highly individual jewelry that blurs the line between art and craft. Building on the studio’s foundations, Schmid’s work honors the natural beauty of gemstones, organic textures, and urban visual influences, often beginning with a simple sketch and evolving into sculptural adornments that emphasize contrast, color, and personal expression. Each piece is designed to reflect both the character of its materials and the personality of its wearer.
Under his leadership, Atelier Zobel has exhibited internationally and received recognition for its avant-garde artistry, earning acclaim in Europe, the U.S. and beyond. Schmid’s philosophy of curiosity, exploration, and reverence for unique stones -- sometimes referred to as a “stone whisperer” -- has shaped a distinctive body of work that continues to push boundaries while honoring the traditional techniques of goldsmithing. Today, Atelier Zobel remains a celebrated destination for collectors seeking exquisite, one-of-a-kind pieces that tell a story.
