Steph Ayson gives us an inside look at their newest jewelry collection, sharing her journey and the lessons from her mother, Suzette Ayson, about the life, connections, and meaning behind their heritage pieces.
Behind every glittering diamond lies a story, a history, and a tradition of craftsmanship. In the Philippines, Suzette Malig Ayson, founder of JMA Jewelry, embodies this story.
For 27 years, Suzette has upheld her family’s tradition of diamond expertise, creating not just jewelry but also lasting relationships that underpin her success.
Today, her daughter Steph Ayson works alongside her to continue the JMA legacy, ensuring that this sparkling tradition endures for generations.
When asked about the inspiration behind their newly launched Vintage Jewelry Collection, Maison, Steph explained, “Maison is a collection of pieces curated from around the world, created by past jewelry houses dating back to the early 1900s.”
The Vintage Vault
We asked Steph what makes a piece of jewelry a “heritage” piece in their collection.
She explained that Maison, JMA Jewelry’s Vintage Collection, curates unique jewelry pieces that reflect the evolution of design and craftsmanship over the past century and beyond.
“We selected pieces that highlight key design features from eras such as the Edwardian, Art Deco, and Retro periods,” she said.
A piece is considered vintage if it is at least 20 years old. “With this in mind, we revisited design themes celebrated in past years,” she added.
The Evolving Beauty
Lifestyle Asia asked what inspired JMA to focus on heritage pieces.
Steph explained, “At JMA Jewelry, we’ve always believed in the beauty of fine jewelry’s longevity. Materials like gold, platinum, diamonds, and other precious gemstones, combined with various fabrication techniques, allow a piece to stand the test of time.”
She added that, due to its durability, jewelry becomes a vessel for stories passed from one wearer to another and from one generation to the next.
“Maison also celebrates how jewelry craftsmanship and design, as well as gemstone polishing, have evolved through the centuries,” she said.
Through Time and Style
JMA Jewelry has a fascinating story behind how they source and curate their pieces.
Steph shared that her mother, Suzette, has been passionate about vintage jewelry for many years. Many pieces in the collection are ones Suzette acquired over decades of her career.
“Our team focuses on striking designs that represent key design elements from specific eras,” Steph explained. “Whether it’s the lace-like work and milgrain borders of the Edwardian period or the bold geometry of the Art Deco period, which is also reflected in Art Deco architecture.”
Steph added that they look for pieces that tell stories of life during those times. For example, they feature items from the post-war era, when women favored shorter hairstyles and complemented them with dangling earrings and longer necklaces. They also highlight how women enjoyed versatile pieces, such as single brooches or double clips worn on dress straps or headpieces.
Old World Beauty
Everyone has a favorite something, and we asked Steph to share a story behind one of her favorite heritage pieces.
She told us that a key piece they chose to highlight for the launch of Maison is a stunning pair of Art Deco earrings set with Old European Cut diamonds. This cutting style precedes the modern round brilliant cut.
“Though the earrings feature mostly geometric designs, they also include soft arched patterns and a floral motif on top,” Steph explained. “All these elements combine in a bold, dangling pair that highlights the superior quality of the center stones, each weighing about 1.50 carats.”
Cut Diamond Earrings / Photo by Renzo Navarro
Steph also mentioned a vintage diamond watch brooch that they find particularly interesting. “In the past, men mostly wore pocket watches while women wore wristwatches with bracelet straps, often adorned with diamonds,” she said. “During the curation process, we found a beautiful watch brooch from the 1910s to early 1920s with Old European Cut diamonds. Combining the decorative feature of a brooch with the functionality of a watch, while maintaining the convenience of reading time due to its orientation, makes this piece a true statement and every collector’s dream accessory.”
Decades of Charm
We asked Steph how her mother, Suzette, influenced her work and designs for JMA. Steph shared, “Being only a few years younger than the company, I saw my mom pour her heart and soul into her craft. When I began designing, she encouraged me to think outside the box, explore new design techniques, and discover my own identity as a designer. We both love classic and clean designs, like those in Art Deco styles, as well as more unconventional and organic elements, such as those featured in JMA’s baroque South Sea Pearl pieces.”
An Heirloom of Trust
When asked about the most important lesson she learned from her mother about jewelry, Steph replied, “From as far back as I can remember, my mom always emphasized how personal a piece of jewelry is. She taught me and my sisters that as jewelers, we become part of our clients’ lives through our creations. A good jeweler understands which pieces a client will appreciate and treasure for years. My mom built JMA Jewelry with a strong focus on valuing the trust our clients place in us.”
Beyond the Bling
Given that jewelry is their main business, we asked Steph what true wealth and luxury mean to her.
Steph responded, “True wealth and luxury aren’t found in material possessions, but in the experiences and connections we cultivate.”
She added, “A finely crafted piece of jewelry can be a source of joy, but its true value lies in the stories it holds, the memories it evokes, and the craftsmanship that went into its creation. Luxury isn’t about extravagance, but about quality, attention to detail, and the appreciation of beauty in all its forms.”
Steph’s words remind us of the true essence of wealth and luxury. In a world often dominated by material possessions, the true riches of life lie in the stories, memories, and moments we share with our loved ones.
For JMA Jewelry, the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each piece is not just about creating a product, but about creating a symbol of these moments and memories.
Photos courtesy of Steph Ayson.
Banner photo by Renzo Navarro.
