THE ARTIST

Brazilian of Armenian descent, Ara Vartanian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and moved to Brazil with his family when he was just one year old. His passion for gemstones runs in the family: after settling in São Paulo, his father became one of Brazil’s most prominent suppliers of diamonds and other precious gems, as well as jewelry created by renowned European designers and Ara’s mother.

At first, Ara tried to resist his calling. He studied Economics at Boston University and, after graduating, worked for four years in New York as a Nasdaq trader. Yet his destiny seemed already written. In 2000, he returned to Brazil and took his first steps into the jewelry world by joining his father’s business.

At the same time, in 2002, he began designing and signing his own jewelry collections. The success was immediate, and his creations were already being sold internationally that same year.

In 2005, Ara ventured out on his own and opened the atelier of the brand that bears his name. Drawing on his deep knowledge of classical jewelry, he challenged conventional approaches to gemstone setting and design—a philosophy that became the cornerstone of his work. He established himself through timeless pieces infused with a subtle sense of subversion. His jewelry captivates from every angle, reflecting Ara’s enduring commitment to comfort, originality, and exceptional craftsmanship.

Brazilian model Sabrina Gasperin serves as the muse behind much of Ara’s creative work. Together since 2006, they have co-authored many chapters of the brand’s journey. Sabrina starred in the brand’s first campaign, as well as many others that have shaped more than two decades of its history. She also collaborated on designs for a collection bearing her name, including the Bone earring, one of the jewelry house’s best-selling pieces.

“The campaigns we create tell a love story—a genuine love between two people. One day, we’ll look back and see that this creative journey has become intertwined with our family album,” says Ara.

Always eager to engage with other creative minds and foster the exchange of ideas, the jeweler has collaborated with leading contemporary artists, including a collection with Janaina Tschäpe and an artwork created with Ernesto Neto. In 2017, Ara partnered with supermodel Kate Moss to launch a collection of 27 pieces designed collaboratively by the two.