At 17 years old Otto Jakob began to teach himself to make jewelry. Inspired by the magic and artistic power of Etruscan, Celtic and Hellenic masterpieces, he learned their complex techniques using treatises by Pliny and Cellini. Between 1977 and 1980 he studied painting with Georg Baselitz. Since 1980 he has devoted himself exclusively to the creation of jewelry.

The earliest collectors of his work were important artists and art dealers. Otto Jakob has collectors in Europe and the United States. His works are available exclusively at the atelier in Karlsruhe, Germany, at TEFAF Maastricht and TEFAF New York.