There’s a timeless magic in shells.

For thousands of years, shells have been more than just treasures found along the shore. They’ve been carved into talismans, used as currency, and worn as symbols of love, luck, and protection. Their simple, elegant, and enduring forms have appeared in ancient art across cultures and time.

Our newest collection, Maris, draws inspiration from this rich history.

After years of working with sheet metal and wire, Maris is our first collection featuring pieces hand-carved from wax and cast using one of the oldest jewelry-making techniques—lost wax casting. Inspired by ancient shell carvings, these forms are designed to mimic the soft curves and subtle imperfections of a shell, gently weathered by time.

While the collection is rooted in the timeless beauty and symbolism of the shell, its heart comes from a more personal place.

Maris is a tribute to my late father, Adolfo, whose days making and selling handmade seashell jewelry in Brazil in the 1980s inspired my own journey into jewelry making. Although I didn’t grow up with this part of his story, I inherited its spirit. The sea has always held deep meaning for me—a place of remembrance, connection, and quiet joy found in small, beautiful things.

At its core, Maris is also about the instinct to collect—to hold onto moments, places, and people we love. These pieces are not exact replicas of shells, but sculptural impressions that speak to memory, legacy, and the enduring beauty of the handmade.

At AVILLA, we believe in sustainable jewelry with soul. Each Maris piece is carefully cast from hand-carved wax using recycled metals, designed to honor both nature and the human spirit.

Whether you're searching for a meaningful handmade gift that captures the essence of the ocean or something to commemorate a special memory, Maris is a collection for those who find magic in the sea—and in the stories we carry with us.

I kept the heart of your message intact while making the flow a bit clearer. Does this version feel right to you?