Crafting Elegance in America for 90 Years
For over 9 decades, the Suna family has crafted exceptional jewelry rooted in European tradition. Brothers Kenneth and Joel Suna began as apprentices in 1920s Warsaw, mastering platinum work and gemstone setting. Their expertise laid the foundation for Suna Bros., built on craftsmanship, quality, and integrity. Today, Aron and Jonathan Suna carry on this legacy, blending timeless techniques with modern innovation. From elegant rings to gemstone suites, each piece is made with care to become a lasting heirloom.
Trace our journey through time and explore the milestones of our glittering heritage.
1920s – 1930s
1925
Honing his craft as a bench jeweler, Kenneth learns to appreciate the beauty of fine platinum jewelry. He also develops a talent for evaluating and selecting gemstones.
1928
Honing his craft as a bench jeweler, Kenneth learns to appreciate the beauty of fine platinum jewelry. He also develops a talent for evaluating and selecting gemstones.
1932
Kenneth arrives in the United States through Ellis Island. His parents and one brother are already here. Having sold the family home and business in Poland, Kenneth arranged prior passage to the States for his younger siblings. Unable to find work in the jewelry industry, he takes a job working nights in a pocketbook factory and also manages to obtain his high school diploma.
1933
Kenneth begins to work as an independent bench jeweler in New York City. Soon after, he establishes SUNA and specializes in channel-set wedding bands.
1940s
1940
Kenneth meets Perle, his future wife, at her best friend’s wedding where he is an usher. He pursues her for 4 years.
1942
After joining the US Army, Kenneth visits New York City on official business. He proposes to Perle on the subway as a crowd cheers him on. An interesting sidebar: Kenneth is transporting a prisoner to Leavenworth and he is handcuffed to Kenneth’s wrist during the proposal! In 1944, Perle travels by train to Florida to the army base where Kenneth is stationed and they marry.
1945
Kenneth is in San Francisco about to set sail for the occupation of Japan when Aron, his first son, is born. Aron’s birth provides the necessary additional “points” required to keep Kenneth home. After the Red Cross confirms his birth by telegram, he walks off the ship and goes home to Brooklyn. Discharged from the army, Kenneth restarts the business with Joel, his older brother. The company is renamed Suna Bros. They set up shop on 7 West 45th Street and expand to more space on the same floor shortly after.
1946
Suna Bros. launches full speed into manufacturing diamond jewelry and quickly becomes known for very fine quality.
1950s - 1960s
1950s
Kenneth begins to travel abroad purchasing diamonds. After the war, small diamond goods were extremely scarce and expensive. He purchases goods from Antwerp for $600 per carat--an astronomical amount for the time. By the time the goods arrive stateside via ship, the value drops to $200 per carat as diamond production in Europe resumes.
1960
Joel and Kenneth amicably decide to dissolve their partnership. Kenneth buys him out but Joel remains as the primary diamond sorter given his training as a setter and his expert eye. He works at Suna Bros. until 1993.
1965
Suna Bros. is now dealing with most of the major 5th Avenue jewelry stores, developing a burgeoning business of private label pieces. Kenneth is in his element: he establishes solid relationships and a strong reputation among industry colleagues.
1969
Kenneth installs a pneumatic tube system in Suna’s headquarters to transport work between the non-adjacent office spaces. Later, in the 1970s, Suna Bros. acquires the entire floor and has windows on all four sides, a rare commodity in NYC.
Kenneth has the opportunity to examine the Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton diamond, a magnificent 68-carat pear shape.
1970s
1970
On Labor Day weekend, the vault of Boston’s Shreve, Crump & Low is burglarized and totally cleaned out. Two days later, Kenneth is on a plane to Boston with replacement jewelry, showing support and loyalty to a long standing customer. After graduating from law school, Aron Suna joins the Navy’s Judge Advocates General’s Corps (JAG).
1971
Kenneth travels to Tanzania to visit the first diamond production factory employing a specially trained Tanzanian workforce. The trip proves to be most fortuitous. There, Kenneth connects with key international suppliers, forging additional long-lasting and important relationships in Europe.
1972
After the Suna Bros. office manager gives short notice, Perle Suna begins what she thought would be a temporary tenure until the position is filled. Kenneth asks her to interview candidates. Perle decides that she could do the job best. Kenneth is thrilled. Perle stays for 38 years. Already having her masters in education, Perle becomes a certified gemologist through the American Gem Society, enabling Suna Bros. to become a member of the organization.
1973
Aron takes the GIA diamond course via correspondence. Younger brother Jonathan spends his summer vacation from high school polishing diamonds in Belgium.
1974
Aron joins Suna Bros. He lives in Antwerp, Belgium for 3 months to further his education in diamonds. Outside of Antwerp, Aron polishes diamonds in a factory. He also learns to sort full cuts for make, color and clarity.
1975
In July, Aron embarks on his first buying trip with Kenneth to Israel and Antwerp. It was the first of 2-3 buying trips per year for Aron. In November, Kenneth passes away. The industry mourns his untimely death.
1976
The iconic diamond starfish is born into Suna’s collection. A family of starfishes in various precious metals are among the best sellers to this day.
1977
Strong proponents of industry ethics and standards, Suna Bros. joins two more trade organizations: MJSA, Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers Association, and JVC, Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
1979
After graduating from Boston University, Jonathan Suna completes both the GIA and AGS gemology programs, receiving his Graduate Gemologist and Certified Gemologist accreditations. He joins Suna Bros.
1980 - 1990s
This decade is tantamount to Suna Bros’ drive for strategic positioning. Suna’s philosophy has always been to stay ahead of the curve of industry trends and marketplace tone, reinventing itself to remain vital and relevant. Several key decisions are implemented during the 1980s which prove to be very successful, not only building the core business but ushering the company into the next century.
1980
The company Suna Kinstlinger is formed with Henry Kinstlinger, a former DeBeers site holder. Henry’s father, Josef, and Kenneth had been colleagues and business associates for many years. Suna-Kinstlinger cuts rough diamonds and sells on the market and to retailers. Aron is invited to join the 24 Karat Club of NYC.
1981
Suna Kinstlinger is one of the first companies to have long term memo programs of ear studs and pendants to retailers. This proves to be an extremely successful program.
1983
As a guest of DeBeers, Aron visits several mines and mining operations of CDM (Consolidated Diamond Mines) in Namibia.
1988
Aron embarks on his first trip to Vincenza. There, he is very impressed with Italian gold collections. At this time, European manufacturers had not yet infiltrated the states and the American market was poised for something different and exciting. Suna Bros. decides to import 18 karat gold bracelets, necklaces and earrings. They also manufacture complementary 18 karat pieces in New York. The concept is an immediate success.
1988-1989
Suna Bros. decides to take control of their own destiny by purchasing a floor of one of the first commercial condo buildings in New York City. They move to a larger office and manufacturing space on an entire floor on 46th Street.
1990
Maria Canale begins to design for Suna Bros. Maria’s presence is the advent of a much more fashion-forward approach. Several very successful collections are designed during this decade. With Maria on board, Suna Bros. wins over 15 national and international design awards, including those from World Gold Council, DeBeer’s Diamonds International, various other DeBeer’s competitions, Platinum Guild International, Modern Jeweler, Argyle International Colored Diamonds, MJSA and the American Gem Trade Association’s Spectrum Awards
1992
Aron & Jonathan purchase Shreve & Co. of San Francisco with the Schiffman family.
1993
Suna participates in the very first JCK show in Las Vegas, exhibiting among high-end manufacturers in the Galleria.
1995
Suna exhibits in the first Couture Collection show. Aron joins the board of MJSA, Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, and JVC, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
1998
In July, Suna purchases natural pink diamonds from the Argyle mine in Australia. The stones are incredible and very unlike any other previous diamond purchase. “We never spent so much money for full cuts and ended up with so few carats,” comments Aron.
1999
Suna Bros. manufactures a Maria Canale-designed diamond cuff in platinum featuring over 900 diamonds and wins the world’s largest and most prestigious jewelry design competition, the DeBeer’s Diamond International Awards in Paris. Maria is the only New York-based designer of 25 celebrated that year.
2000s
2000
Aron and Jonathan visit the Argyle mine in the Northwest Territory of Australia. They spend two days touring the mine site and facilities in depth. Later, in Sidney, they have the opportunity to see several summer Olympic events, including Team USA men’s beach volleyball gold medal victory.
2005
Aron is elected president of the 24 Karat Club of New York City.
2006
Suna Bros. wins top honors in the Tanzanite Celebration of Life Design Award with an incredible necklace.
2008
Aron is elected to the GIA Board of Governors.
2010s
2010
Perle retires.
2011
Aron travels to India with the GIA board of governors, visiting diamond cutting factories in Surat, precious stone factories in Jaipur and the diamond center in Mumbai.
2012
Aron visits Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan and China, visiting gem cutting factories and meeting with various international trade organizations. He also wins the JVC’s Stanley Schechter Award in recognition for his support of the organization’s integrity through legal compliance.
2013
As a governor of GIA, Aron has the rare opportunity to tour both the offices DEBSWANA, the partnership between Botswana and DeBeers, and DTC, the DiamondTrading Company in Botswana. Once again, Suna Bros. reinvents itself and begins to expand their collection with one-of-a-kind gemstone jewelry. They join the AGTA, the American Gem Trade Association.
2010s
2014-2015
Along with its quintessential collection, Suna expands its palette by creating couture pieces featuring exotic gems like padparadscha sapphires and paraiba tourmalines. A multi-colored spinel bracelet wins an AGTA Spectrum Award and Women’s Jewelry Association Gem Diva award.
2017
Perle Suna passes away at 95. She was a force of nature: a progressive, intellectual, independent woman with a prodigious book-a-day reading habit and whose many passions included bridge, Tudor history and opera. Beloved by so many in the jewelry industry, Perle’s influence on Suna’s business was tangible and lasting.
2019
Suna fully embraces its classic aesthetic and brands itself the “Little Black Dress” of fine jewelry, celebrating the ever iconic, timeless, and sophisticated styling of its entire collection. Suna elegance is always in style!
2020
During the pandemic, Suna Bros. closes for only the second time in its history. For their reopening announcement, Aron and Jonathan use a newer version of the card their father Kenneth sent when he returned from the war.
Now
2021
Suna wins two AGTA Spectrum Awards: First Place in Bridal and Platinum Honors for a platinum ring featuring a glistening moonstone with lavender sapphires and diamonds.
2022
Suna prides itself with business relationships spanning decades. One such partner is NYSIF, the New York State Insurance Fund, who presented Aron and Jonathan Suna with a plaque commemorating 75 years.
2024
Suna creates bespoke one-of-a-kind pieces for several retail partners. Each luxury item is uniquely designed and crafted, blending Suna’s artistry, craftsmanship, and quality.
2025
Suna remains a trusted leader in the jewelry industry, known for its unwavering commitment to quality. Proudly American-crafted, all of their pieces are designed and made at their headquarters in New York City, staying true to the brand’s roots while continuing to set the standard for luxury and craftsmanship.
LookBook
We are the perfect complement to your existing branded merchandise. SUNA is the go-to pair of classic diamond earrings, the everyday gold bracelet, the right-hand ring that elevates everything, and the simple necklace with just a splash of diamonds — effortlessly transitioning from office to evening.
Explore just a sampling of our collections in our virtual atelier.
LookBook
We are the perfect complement to your existing branded merchandise. SUNA is the go-to pair of classic diamond earrings, the everyday gold bracelet, the right-hand ring that elevates everything, and the simple necklace with just a splash of diamonds — effortlessly transitioning from office to evening.
Explore just a sampling of our collections in our virtual atelier.