Unearthing Hidden Beauty: Abraham Reyes Transforms Rare Gems Into Statement Art

What if your walls could sparkle with the same brilliance as the world’s finest jewelry? Abraham Reyes, celebrated collector, artist, and owner of the Guinness World Record-holding Giga Pearl, is redefining the concept of luxury with his latest exhibition, Beneath the Surface.

Merging rare pearls, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds into breathtaking artwork, Reyes challenges traditional notions of beauty, urging viewers to look beyond perfection and embrace the unique stories hidden within each gemstone. As his debut solo exhibition opens in Toronto, we sat down with Reyes to discuss his inspiration, the art of rarity, and how he’s turning precious jewels into timeless masterpieces. —Noa Nichol

Beneath the Surface is a truly unique concept, transforming pearls and precious gems into large-scale artwork. What inspired you to take this approach and create “jewelry for the walls”?

I have a deep passion and extensive knowledge of natural pearls and gems. I wanted to create something unprecedented at this scale using these materials. My fascination lies in their rarity and intrinsic value, and I believe they deserve to be displayed and appreciated daily rather than locked away in vaults. This collection was born from a desire to celebrate the raw beauty of these natural treasures in a way that allows them to be continuously admired.

You have mentioned that your art challenges mainstream perceptions of beauty and value. How do you hope Beneath the Surface changes the way people view rare gems and natural formations?

I believe the most extraordinary and valuable things in the world come from nature. My goal is to educate people on the true rarity of natural wild pearls and gems, beyond the narratives shaped by marketing. I appreciate the uniqueness of all types of gems and understand the various factors that contribute to their commercial value. My goal is not to disagree but to encourage a broader perspective on their significance and appeal based on rarity.

The collection highlights the natural inclusions and imperfections of gemstones, celebrating their raw beauty. Why is it important to embrace these so-called flaws in both jewelry and art?

I combine fine quality gemstones alongside rough stones in their true form prior to faceting.  I am fascinated by the intricate worlds within some of the stones, such as the “Jardin” in certain emeralds.   As one of the world’s foremost collectors of natural non-nacreous pearls, which are rare pearls that form naturally with unique baroque shapes and matte finishes, I have always been captivated by their individuality. Advertising has conditioned us to define beauty in rigid terms, but I challenge these learned perceptions by celebrating natural textures and formations. To me, true beauty is found in nature’s unique characteristics rather than in artificially imposed standards.

You are the owner of the Giga Pearl, the world’s largest authenticated natural pearl. How has this extraordinary piece influenced your artistic journey and your perspective on rarity?

The Giga Pearl is the pinnacle of natural beauty, yet its significance is often misunderstood due to conventional ideas about pearls. I believe that there is a fundamental lack of understanding of natural wild pearls. This has fueled my mission to showcase these rare gems in my art, highlighting their uniqueness and value. Rarity is not about what is marketed as prestigious, but what is truly difficult to find in any shape or size. Clam pearls, similar to melo pearls and conch pearls, which are only found in 1 in 15,000 – 100,000 mollusks, are rare and my art incorporates hundreds of them in a single piece.  I always reflect on the amount of time and effort it took to amass my pearl collection.  There are centuries of work in discovering these pearls by chance in deep waters.  Through this point alone, I hope to provoke thought about the true nature of rarity and value.

Many people think of pearls as small, round, and glossy, yet the Giga Pearl defies all expectations. How does this contrast reflect the deeper message in your art?

The Giga Pearl challenges conventional beauty standards, just as my art does. When an established art advisory firm questioned it for not being round, it reinforced my drive to use natural wild pearls in my work and celebrate their organic forms. While I appreciate the beauty of cultured nacreous pearls, natural wild pearls are found by chance, and that unpredictability makes them even more extraordinary. My art invites viewers to explore these materials beyond surface-level aesthetics and reconsider what is truly rare and valuable.

You come from a family with ties to rare treasures and natural history. How has your upbringing shaped your appreciation for pearls, gems, and their artistic and cultural significance?

I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by antiquities and gems under the guidance of my godmother. I always say that true appreciation for these materials comes from immersion. I spent years holding, studying, and understanding them, which deepened my respect for their significance. I inherited around 14,000 Asian antiquities and a large quantity of gems from my godmother and spent months at the Philippines National Museum while they were inventoried and prepared for export. That experience fueled my curiosity and commitment to learning about the historical and cultural importance of these objects.

Your work bridges art, science, and heritage. Can you share a bit about your creative process? How do you decide which materials to use and what story each piece will tell?

When I decided to be an artist, I had to look within and reflect on my identity, experiences and spirituality to be able to produce art that was authentic.  Being surrounded by these objects, I formed an emotional connection to my materials, which is unusual for many artists. Painters may not feel attached to their paint, but I am deeply connected to the gems I use. I study them scientifically and obsessively, learning their histories and unique properties before incorporating them into my work.

Take Aftermath, a piece in the Rare Treasures series, for example. It contains 553 carats of gem-quality rubies, which amount to approximately 560 individual faceted stones, six carats of natural earth-mined diamonds, 112.38 carats of rough emeralds, and 127 carats of natural wild pearls – 100 pearls in total. Each element was chosen deliberately to highlight both its individual significance and its place in a larger narrative.

Your Belief piece from the Sacred Beauty series explores themes of ancient cultures, colonization, and spirituality. Do similar themes of history and cultural reflection appear in Beneath the Surface?

All my work is deeply rooted in my cultural heritage and the history of my homeland. Belief is the crown jewel of the Sacred Beauty series, which examines the colonial history of the Philippines and its lasting impact on Filipino identity.

At the center of Belief is an extraordinarily large and rare natural blister pearl, surrounded by rubies and pearls that form the veins of a heart. These materials are not just aesthetically significant—they are symbolic. The rubies and pearls represent the rich culture and resilience of the Filipino people, as well as the country’s abundant natural resources.

By using rare and valuable materials, I emphasize the worth of Filipino heritage. This series is an invitation to reflect on history, identity, and the true cost of colonialism.

What do you see as the future of art that incorporates natural history? Do you think more collectors and artists will explore this intersection?

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial and synthetic creations, the authenticity of natural materials stands apart. The intrinsic value of natural wild pearls, gems, and artifacts cannot be replicated. As a collector, I place immense value on material authenticity, and I believe more artists and collectors will be drawn to this approach.

Natural wild pearls are often overlooked, yet they are far rarer than diamonds. To me, they are one of nature’s greatest masterpieces. My work is built on a deep respect for these materials – each gem is carefully selected, studied, and placed to honor its unique beauty and scarcity.

Natural gems and pearls have a rich history that extends beyond their aesthetic appeal. As people become more conscious of what is real versus what is manufactured (or artificial), I believe that art that incorporates natural history will hold even greater significance, both culturally and as an investment.

Looking ahead, do you have any upcoming projects or exhibitions that will continue your exploration of rarity, beauty, and the natural world?

Looking ahead, my work will continue to evolve as I explore new ways to highlight the natural beauty and rarity of natural wild pearls and gemstones. I am currently developing a jewelry collection inspired by the legend of Aman Sinaya, the revered goddess of the sea. This collection draws from the ocean’s contrasts, its tranquility and unpredictability, translating these elements into sculptural forms and carefully selected materials.

Each piece reflects the relationship between nature and craftsmanship, incorporating pearls and precious metals in a way that honors their origins. My approach remains the same as with my large-scale works, to respect and showcase the inherent qualities of these natural materials rather than altering them to fit conventional expectations. This project is an extension of my artistic practice, offering a more intimate way to engage with the materials that have long inspired me.

Photos by George Pimentel