ABOUT ARAO
Let Your Light Shine
ARAO is a fine jewellery brand dedicated to creating modern classics. The brand reimagines South Sea pearls into understated yet chic pieces that transcend the common phrase: “Your Grandmother’s Pearls.”
Designs are envisioned to highlight the natural beauty of the Golden South Sea Pearl. They also draw from various aspects of contemporary lifestyles—travel, wellness, art, beauty, design. Informed by everyday experiences, fine jewellery by ARAO are versatile, effortlessly chic and nonchalantly luxe. They grow, evolve and become one with the wearer through various stages of a life. ARAO pieces are definitely not your grandmother’s pearls, but they could just as well be future heirloom classics.
Pearls, People, Planet
Sustainability is at the core of ARAO. The brand creates enduring jewellery that shines light on wearer, planet and people in communities. Pearls are ethically sourced from a sustainable pearl farm in Palawan, Philippines. They are committed to a no-waste mantra, working only with organic materials. Packaging has likewise been modified to reduce excessive waste. Boxes are made using only upcycled or recyclable materials and sent out with minimal to zero tissues or plastics.
The ARAO team also commits a portion of their sales to supporting The Philippines Foundation (TPF). This non-profit organization endeavors to educate mothers and children on ways to leave positive impact on planet. TPF also devotes much of its efforts to the restoration of coral reefs and mangroves. Since launching in 2020, ARAO has been steadfast in supporting this cause.
Behind The Brand
ARAO was founded by marketing ingénue, Mirabel Rosar. After having lived in Switzerland and Australia, the Philippine-born, young mother relocated to Hong Kong with her family. A new home in a thriving city along majestic harbours, inspired her to finally pursue her love for jewellery design.
Mirabel was immediately inclined to highlight the superb quality, impeccable beauty and unrivalled elegance of Golden South Sea Pearls from her mother country. The distinct luster, hues and imperfectly perfect shapes of pearls from the Philippines, became take off points for Mirabel’s collections of modern classics.
Women of Pearls
In the same manner that jewellery is empowering for its wearer, ARAO believes in creating pieces and a safe space that encourage women to SHINE THEIR LIGHT.
The female-led brand connects inspiring women across industries through an ongoing blog feature called Women of Pearls. The idea was to tell enlightening stories with emphasis on authenticity, finding balance, purpose and of course, SHINING ONE’S LIGHT.
Like pearls, each story is unique. At its core, a shared spirit for celebrating perfect imperfections and women uplifting other women. These are the core values at ARAO reflected through its jewellery and the growing circle of women it continues to applaud.
The very same Women of Pearls inspired the newest collection from ARAO—Paradox. It was through shared narratives that the founder’s very own journey that the label created a collection of modern classic celebrating the many phases and seasons in a life.
EMBRACING HER OWN PARADOX
“I love the outdoors. I surf with my husband and I also hike. Love for water and earth explains way my commitment towards sustainability runs deep.”
“From mainstream food to fine jewellery, corporate to parenthood, I understand the role of jewellery in the contemporary context.”
Mirabel also knows that the most precious pieces of jewellery are those that are actually worn; not locked up in vaults. Her unique take on everyday luxury emphasizes a belief that, “We can choose to be grateful each day for every day luxuries--a comfortable bed, the warmth of sunshine in the morning, fresh air, and of course, a pair of pearl earrings.”
THE COLLECTION
Black and white.
Raw and polished.
Smooth and rough.
Water and Earth.
Embrace your shadows, let your light shine.
ARAO’s Spring Summer 2021 collection of fine jewellery, made of South Sea Pearls, is a celebration of contrasts. It highlights universal polarities. It embraces the human experience of a PARADOX.
Paradox brings together polar opposites. It forges two worlds—ocean and earth—to create a collection of modern classics. Natural and organically harvested South Sea pearls from the ocean meet symmetric and polished precious metals gems from the earth.
PARADOX 1: Raw and Polished
Borne out of the depths of the ocean, the queen of gems is made rare and priceless by its slight variations or imperfections made by nature.
The first paradox combines these imperfectly perfect game with fine stones—diamonds, emeralds, citrine. Emerging from the depths of the earth, they are cut and polished by hand to perfection.
PARADOX 2: Forged and Borne
The second PARADOX explores the contrasts of fire and water. Pearls are combined with forged gold, creating a play in proportion and symmetry. It is a celebration of the human experience Some seasons are cold, others are warm. There are moments filled with silence and others with sound.
PARADOX 3: Movement and Stillness
Some days we stay still and on others, we move. PARADOX 3 combines stunning champagne baroque pearls with dancing diamonds. It captures the natural luster of pearls made brighter by sparkle of gems. This piece also reflects ARAO’s distinct design approach, where even formal pieces maybe easily work with a casual ensemble.
ARAO is a Hong Kong based fine jewellery brand and is available online via www.thearaolife.com. For more information, email atteam@thearaolife.com or contact +852 95411311.
