Traveling with jewelry: Stylish, sturdy Sobral

If you don't already know the Brazilian costume jewelry designer Jackie Sobral, you're in for a carnival-sized treat, and just in time for summer holidays.

Sobral is the ideal carefree travel jewelry: lightweight, colourful, reasonably-priced resin pieces. My bangle (at left) is seven years old and looks great despite being thwacked hard on several continents—no chips or cracks.

It's not just for the road; Sobral perks up a basic jacket or polishes jeans for the bistro. 

The Sobral signature is the vivid swirl of colour, but it's also made in neutrals, and there's a range of scale, from small earrings to huge cuffs.  

In the early the '70s, Carlos Alberto Sobral and his then-wife Rita de Cássia sold their designs at Brazilian markets and fairs. Over the following decades, Sobral expanded the line but kept the Carioca vibe. He's collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld, and Sobral pieces are carried in several museum stores. Boutiques in Paris and NYC have opened in the past few years, but the brand is still unusual enough to not be ubiquitous.

The first five pieces shown are from Sobral's USA e-store; the last is from eBay seller squeaky1103 (The Funky Accessories Store, also online as Jackie Brazil World); great prices and sales! Though new collections are released often, an older Sobral looks very much like the current season's.

Metallique large silver bangle: clear and silver resin; $90:

Kandinsky collection dome ring; $55:

Inspiracao necklace of black resin "stones" with a single clear and gold accent bead, $175:



Plutao earrings; $48:




Retroz "carré" ring, $48:
Licorice "allsorts" bangle (from eBay seller squeaky1103); $36:



A Sobral piece also makes a great "conscious chic" gift; according to the company's website, its sustainable manufacturing practices and responsible employment policies and programs will reassure recipients of a Sobral piece that resources are not being heedlessly depleted for the sake of a bauble.

Bring on the caipirinhas!

 

Comments

Susan said…
These are fun pieces of jewelry! Thank you for sharing them. I especially like the mostly black ring.
LauraH said…
Coincidence! I discovered Sobral online a few months ago, love the colours and the fun feeling. So perfect for summer. Apparently there is a place in the Distillery District that carries it so I'll be making a trip down there soon. It's good to hear confirmation of the high quality from someone who actually owns a piece. Thanks.
Susan B said…
What fun pieces! Bangles are often too large for my hands/wrists, but I'll have to check out the rings....
Ooh la la!
I love the metallic bangle!
I think I have seen those multicoloured bangles here in town at the antique and collectible mall...fun especially for summer.
I like those bangles but often they hurt my wrist - the large one at the top definitely would, but I'd try on the smaller multicoloured one - they are very pretty with summer clothes.

Great for our World Cup viewing!
Madame Là-bas said…
These pieces are so much fun! Once I finish editing my wardrobe, I shall do look at accessories to decide what to purchase. I like the colourful bangle.
Duchesse said…
All: If you click on the links you will see many other bracelet styles than bangles.
Dr. V. O. said…
These are fantastic, thanks so much for the introduction! Nothing amps up a minimalist outfit more than a chunky statement bracelet (a good alternative when a statement necklace seems too precious or predictable). Super fresh colors for summer -- and getting in a World Cup mood! ;)
Sandra Sallin said…
Oh, I thought I was the only one who knew about this jewelry. Discovered it at a museum and have loved them since. I just recently discovered I could buy them on the web. Great stuff.
Duchesse said…
Dr. V.O.: There are less-chunky pieces by Sobral but they definitely do not do delicate.


Sandra: My blog exists to share resources so "I am the only one who knows" is kind of an anti-goal around here. Happy you found it, now let's Sobral all summer!
Beth said…
Fun! I like the clear one best. Resin doesn't always work for me; I don't like how it makes me sweaty. My favorite here is the black "stone" necklace.
Unknown said…
I keep being told that the newer pieces are not signed? Does anyone know if this is true? I have messaged Sobrall to verify, but as yet no response. I am concerned that there may copies starting to appear.
Unknown said…
Sorry last comment about unsigned pieces was from me, Gillian. Sorry, not very computer lit :0/
Duchesse said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Duchesse said…
Unknown: Recent Sobral pieces are laser-inscribed with his signature glyph as shown in this post: https://getagripaccessorise.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/why-you-need-to-get-a-grip-with-jackie-brazil/
(The company is now called "Jackie Brazil", and a web page they posted states that their current pieces are all laser-signed.)

Older pieces (dating from the 90's and early 2000's) have a plastic label marked 'R Sobral', the "R" is Carlos' ex-wife Rita. Early pieces ('70's- '80's) are unsigned.

Either buy from a reputable jeweller/boutique who is a certified JackieBrazil/Sobral reseller or check for the laser signature if the piece is current production when buying from someone on a site like eBay or Etsy.

You might get a response by contacting JackieBrazilUSA.com via FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieBrazilUSA/ or one of the official stockists like Bisoux in the UK: https://www.bisouxjewellery.co.uk

We would like to hear what you find out, thanks.
Unknown said…
Sadly Jackie Sobral has made it a bit difficult for us to avoid fakes I'm afraid this is their reply to my message -
Jackie Brazil Team
Thu, Dec 2, 8:30 PM (4 days ago)
to me

Hi Gillian,
All JB jewellery comes with an original tag. That plus the packaging (pouch and care card) is what we send with the jewellery. Currently, we do not sign the jewellery.
Best wishes
JB4YOU


On Fri, 3 Dec 2021, 03:15 Gillian Carter, wrote:
From: Gillian Carter
Subject: Signed Pieces

Message Body:
Hello, I am an enormous fan of your fabulous jewellery. However I have found lately that people are trying to sell me unsigned pieces. They are telling me that your newer items are no longer signed. Is this true? How can I tell if a piece is a genuine Jackie Sobral? Thank you and kind regards Gillian
Duchesse said…
Gillian: Thanks for this! The prudent thing to do is to buy from their site, or from a stockist for current pieces that come with thr certificate. Otherwise, buy signed pieces (so, older production and it would help if they said when they stopped using the glyph signature!) or just buy it because you like it. This is not precious jewellery.

One collector says imitations have more straight, precise lines and you can easily spot fakes if you have been looking at Sobral, the lines are a bit wavy between the colours.

But I am wondering if there are many imitations out there. (Does any reader know?) It is not easy to make this jewellery and unlike say, fake Gucci there would not be a big profit margin.
Unknown said…
I suppose I was looking toward the future more than this being a problem right now as I do believe this amazing jewellery will gain recognition and popularity as time goes by. When that happens to anything the con men are never far behind. To buy "just because you like it" is fabulous advice at any time, I just resent the idea of anyone being taken for a ride I spose, to be sweet talked into paying even an extra 20 quid for an item because it is made by Sobral or Gucci or whoever, when it is not. Anyway, I thank you for the opportunity to speak and to be given advise and I wish you all good luck, good health and much happiness.
Duchesse said…
Gillian: It may well be the case that Sobral gains more prominence. While a maker's marks offers some reassurance, it can be forged too. So, if you believe the value will increase and regard this as an investment, you may prefer the many signed Sobral pieces on the secondary market, or you can buy a pristine new piece and save the Sobral tag and bag, and store receipt.

Appraisers and dealers authenticate by the maker's mark but more rigorously by close examination of fabrication and materials. They consult back catalogs to see whether and when the piece was made. Forgeries exist at every level but are most common for well-known status brands.

You might enjoy the site "Real or Repro": https://www.realorrepro.com/article/Costume-Jewelry
which discusses how costume jewellery fakes differ from authentic pieces.

But there is nothing like looking at the real thing to train one's eye. If you have a Sobral stockist where you live, go in and look at it (and maybe you won't be able to resist!)

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