MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
TrendsSep 13, 2018
Yael Sonia Collaborates with Amazonian Artisans
The Brazilian designer created a capsule collection to benefit Casa do Rio Tupana, an organization that empowers women by teaching traditional skills.
This collar, designed by Yael Sonia and featuring weaving from Amazonian artisans, will be auctioned off Thursday to benefit Casa do Rio Tupana, an organization that empowers women by teaching traditional skills.
New York—Fine jewelry designers often get experimental when it comes to their materials, utilizing elements like wood, marble or even fossils, but Yael Sonia has thrown down the creative gauntlet with her latest project.
The Teçume collection mixes 18-karat gold, diamonds and gemstones with straw, weaved by female Amazonian artisans.
Sustainably harvested from ambé vines, the weavers were able to craft elements small enough to be incorporated into Sonia’s jewelry.
The designer explained: “I had researched a little bit about the different weaving techniques that these women work with (prior to meeting them). It was really great to work with them in person the first time, trying to recreate the different weaves in a much smaller scale to fit fine jewelry. They’re used to doing baskets and handbags, and it takes a very different skill to make these pieces small and delicate.”
The limited-edition six-piece collection will benefit the weavers with whom Sonia collaborated.
“We’re both working in traditions that are thousands of years old: weaving and jewelry.” – Yael SoniaProceeds go to Casa do Rio Tupana, the organization that trained the Amazonian artisans. Its mission is to empower women in the area, teaching them skills to make a living.
For sale now at Sonia’s New York showroom, a few pieces of the collection have already been snapped up by enthusiastic buyers.
Next month, what’s left of the collaboration will travel to Sonia’s São Paulo showroom, but not before the hero piece—an elaborate collar in 18-karat gold with amazonite, aquamarine, diamonds and ambé vine straw—is auctioned off at the Brazil Foundation gala, scheduled to take place Thursday in New York City.
The other pieces, which, in addition to amazonite, aquamarine and diamonds feature guava quartz and malachite, retail between $2,700 and $12,000.
“It was a wonderful dialogue,” Sonia remarked of working with her fellow craftspeople. “We’re both working in traditions that are thousands of years old: weaving and jewelry. The making of jewelry and artifacts goes back thousands of years. They’re both manual, as our fine jewelry is made by hand, so it was nice to see how those (elements) work together.”
Yael Sonia for Casa do Rio Tupana ring in 18-karat rose gold with guava quartz, diamonds and ambé vine straw.
Earrings in 18-karat yellow gold with malachite, diamonds and ambé vine straw
Yael Sonia created these earrings for Casa do Rio Tupana
Earrings in 18-karat rose gold with guava quartz, rose quartz, diamonds and ambé vine straw
More on Trends
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
