ABOUT US
OUR VISION
At Perola, we believe that every woman should have a signature style. Signature style starts with essential pieces that make a woman feel beautiful: whether it’s a cashmere sweater, a silk blouse, a timeless piece of jewelry. At Perola, we think nothing embodies femininity and elegance more than pearls.
Mother-daughter duo, Rosa and Cindy, teamed up to design pearls for the modern woman, pieces that not only express a woman’s personal style, but can be passed down from generation to generation. All of our designs are “of-a-kind”; each piece is crafted by local Indonesian artisans and topped with hand-selected South Sea Pearls.
GETTING TO KNOW PEARLS
Perola means “pearls” in Portuguese. Pearls are the oldest known gem, and for many centuries they were considered the most valuable. The Latin word for pearl means “unique” which attests to the fact that no two pearls are identical. This is because, unlike other gems, pearls are organic matter derived from living creatures – oysters and mollusks.
Much folklore and traditions surround pearls. According to a folklore, pearls represented ‘teardrops of the moon’ and were believed to have magical powers. In classical Rome, only persons above a certain rank were allowed to wear pearl jewelry. Over time, pearls have symbolized purity and innocence. In more recent years, pearls have become a symbol of female empowerment. The modern women, whether leading a brainstorming session or dashing to a gala, often choose pearls as a signature piece of understated elegance.
THE BEGINNINGS
Rosa and Cindy have always been two peas in a pod. They share the same love for Indonesian artistry, jewelry and spicy street food. When life led Cindy to move to New York City, 10,045 miles away from her hometown, she was determined to stay connected to her mother and her family. While she loves her fast-paced New York life, she is constantly looking for opportunities to reconnect with her roots.
Cindy and Rosa often found themselves talking about starting a business together that would promote Indonesian craftsmanship. When they conceptualized Perola, they knew they wanted to combine South Sea elegance with East Coast sophistication: a brand that promotes appreciation for fine materials and a thorough commitment towards craft.
CINDY THIO CADESTIN
Cindy grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia, and moved to California for college in 2004. After graduating from in 2008, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in management consulting and ultimately in wealth management. Wanting to realize her entrepreneurial dreams, Cindy saw an opportunity to team up with her mother to share her mother’s jewelry designs with the world. Outside of finance and Perola, Cindy loves cooking, barre classes and spending quality time with her little family of three.
ROSA ZAINAL
Rosa grew up in both Jakarta and Singapore, and has always enjoyed cultivating her personal style. Her love for jewelry started over 30 years ago, when she started designing pieces by repurposing family heirlooms that were passed down for generations. She is attracted to pearls because of their imperfection. Rosa’s vision for Perola is to curate a collection of timeless jewelry that can be passed down from generation to generation. Aside from designing jewelry, Rosa is a lifetime lover of interior design and gifting back to her community.