A Summer Favorite at the Artisan Shows
This summer, Coco Paniora Salinas, founder and designer of Rumi Sumaq jewelry, began bringing a new freshwater pearl jewelry set to the Artisan Shows on Martha’s Vineyard.
He designed a delicate necklace with a single freshwater pearl and made matching wire-wrapped earrings to go with it.
The response was almost immediate. Women were drawn to the natural shape of the pearls and the simplicity of the design. The set quickly became one of Coco’s best sellers at the shows, which made us realize we should bring it to the website for those who had been asking about it.
The Beauty of a Natural Pearl
Coco chose small freshwater pearls, approximately 5-6 mm, with softly irregular oval shapes. No two are exactly alike, and that is part of what we love about them.
There is something about the natural shape and soft luster of a freshwater pearl that feels both simple and timeless. Coco kept the rest of the design delicate so the pearls could be the focus.
The necklace has a single pearl on a fine chain, while the matching earrings feature wire-wrapped pearls and French ear wires. The set is available in 14k gold fill or sterling silver, with a choice of 16 inch, 18 inch or 20 inch necklace length.
From the Island to the Jewelry Booth
Living on Martha’s Vineyard, we are surrounded by water and nature every day. It has become a natural part of our lives and, over the years, a part of Rumi Sumaq too.
At the same time, Coco’s Quechua heritage is at the heart of his work. His background in traditional Andean and Quechua weaving traditions continues to influence the way he thinks about texture, pattern and the materials he works with.
Those two parts of our story often come together in Coco’s jewelry. He brings the traditions and techniques that are part of his Peruvian heritage into his work while also drawing inspiration from the Island where we have made our home.
The freshwater pearls felt like a natural fit. Their connection to water and their organic shapes suit the surroundings we see every day, while the simple design reflects Coco’s approach to making jewelry that feels easy and natural to wear.
A New Favorite for Coco
When Coco first brought the freshwater pearl set to the Artisan Shows, we didn’t know how people would respond. That’s one of the things we enjoy about the shows. Coco gets to meet people wearing his jewelry, talk with them about his designs and see which pieces catch their attention.
The pearls kept bringing people back to his booth.
After a summer of seeing that response firsthand, we decided to add the set to our website. It is now available in both 14k gold fill and sterling silver, with three necklace lengths to choose from.
We are always grateful for the conversations and feedback we get at the shows. They often become part of the story behind what comes next.
Thank you for supporting our small business and for following along with us and Coco’s work. We are so grateful to have you here.
