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Yael Sonia is stepping into the light this season! The Brazilian jewelry designer has led her namesake fine jewelry brand for 26 years, and has just launched her chic new Radiant Core collection for Fall 2024. But just like her glittering rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, there’s more to Sonia than meets the eye. We caught up with the creative on her brand’s roots, new designs, and the best gifts for the holiday season.
What inspired you to first launch your fine jewelry brand?
My mother inspired me to create and launch my fine jewelry brand. A gemologist, she had one of my first jewelry designs made for my sixteenth birthday. Seeing one of my drawings transformed into an actual gold and gemstone ring was magical.
Yael Sonia (Courtesy of Yael Sonia)
When did you realize the business was growing and becoming a success?
When I first started in 1998, I handcrafted every piece. I soon realized that my hands couldn’t keep up with all my new designs and the demand. Working with local goldsmiths freed me to focus more on designing and exhibiting my fine jewelry at select trade shows and gallery exhibitions in São Paulo, Paris, and the USA.
Yael Sonia’s Radiant Core campaign (Courtesy of Yael Sonia)
Tell us about your newest collection, Radiant Core. What are some standouts from the line?
Radiant Core, my newest collection, launched in two phases. It resulted from my personal experience during the pandemic, a time of great reflection and introspection. Radiant Core honors the act of expansion, of finding your space in the world; not just strengthening, but softening, into yourself. The Radiant Core collection works with multidimensional gemstones in rounded, sensual shapes that are completed by coming together in a singular seamless form. Much like a tree that widens as it grows, Radiant Core’s layered hues originate from a solid center. Spherical nucleus stones, diamond paved gold spheres and Tahitian pearls are nestled inside a custom-cut half-sphere cabochon. Thoughtful pairings of earthly materials elicit palpable energetic exchanges, from the soothing milky monochromatic tones to the energizing contrasts of saturated and cloudy hued stones of the same color. Some of the standout pieces [are] the Core Duo ring, Radiant Core Brilliant Duo ring, Radiant Core Large ring, [and] Radiant Core Brilliant Large earrings.
Yael Sonia Radiant Core Brilliant Duo ring (Courtesy of Yael Sonia)
Yael Sonia Radiant Core Large ring (Courtesy of Yael Sonia)
How often are you designing jewelry? Do you have a big archive of pieces waiting for their reveal?
I don’t have set times when I design, but rather am always in some part of the design process. Whether I’m working on the form and shape the gemstones will take, the presence and kind of movement within the piece, or how the piece will be made; I only put my designs on paper once I’ve worked through all the elements. I have pieces spanning the last 26 years that are waiting for their reveal. I’ve recently started having some older archival pieces photographed so I can finally share them with my clients.
What are some iconic jewelry moments that you personally love in pop culture?
Lupita Nyong’o wearing a silver breastplate by Pakistani artist Misha Japanwala at last year’s Tony Awards. Even though this was not a piece of traditional fine jewelry, it was a memorable profound statement piece. It’s jewelry as personal expression and art.
Lupita Nyong’o, Fiona Nyong’o
The holidays are here! What makes a perfect jewelry gift this time of year?
Tough choice! Pearls and diamonds revisited in unique contemporary designs.
Yael Sonia’s Radiant Core campaign (Courtesy of Yael Sonia)
What’s coming up for you and your brand? Any fun projects in the works?
I’ll be launching a new website in the spring with a more intimate feel to reflect the new direction in my jewelry. I’m also working on a capsule collection of new kinetic pieces where gemstone spheres roll inside gemstones.
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