I’m Maia Malinasky, and I’ve never been able to walk past a jewelry booth without stopping — even just for a quick peek. As long as I can remember, actually even before that, jewelry has always had a hold on me. My mom loves to tell the story of a beach vacation in Punta del Este, Uruguay, when I was just two years old. A man was walking by selling necklaces, and I had to have one. “No,” she said, “you got one yesterday.” Later, some family friends joined us and asked me for a hug, to which I responded, “Only if you buy me a necklace.”

What I’ve always loved is that jewelry doesn’t change you or take anything away — it simply adds. It’s decoration, the finishing touch that can instantly elevate anything you put on. It’s you, just with a little added oomph.

Over the years, I’ve been drawn to dainty pieces I could stack and layer, or sometimes just one bold piece to make a quiet statement. But no matter what the day called for, I was always searching — and rarely finding — the perfect pieces designed specifically for layering. So, I decided to fill the void.

That’s how Dumai was born: from a lifelong love of jewelry, and a desire to create pieces that feel effortless, personal, and meant to elevate your outfit — and your everyday — however you choose to wear them.