Teen honors Hispanic heritage using jewelry

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A family tradition in Charlotte is shining this Hispanic Heritage Month.

Valentino Patria, a 13-year-old jewelry maker, is using tagua seeds from palm trees in South America to honor his Latin American roots while helping children thousands of miles away.

“I normally try to mix the pieces and then see what colors match what colors,” he said.

Patria designs brightly colored necklaces and bracelets and says the colored seeds are not just beads used for jewelry, they’re also pieces that tell his family’s story.

“My grandma and my mom used to do this jewelry business, so I said, ‘well, why not continue it, right?’ Because my mom and my grandma had expertise,” Patria said, “and that’s why I called it Generation Jewelry, because it was passed down from my grandma to my mom to me, and now my brother joined.”

Patria first learned the craft at 4 years old and says his favorite memory was helping his grandmother carry the supplies and learn how to make the jewelry.

“I love it because I think it kind of feels like a family tradition,” Patria said.

Patria’s mother, Paola Vargas, carried on the family’s craft and says teaching Patria has been about more than jewelry.

“Many years ago, my mom had started it in Colombia. Part of me passing it on to them is experiences that I’ve had in life, that they can learn from and they can continue until it’s time for them to live through them,” Vargas said.

With Venezuelan, Peruvian and Colombian roots, Patria threads his family’s past into the future and says every piece carries his culture and his heart.

“In my heart, it feels it feels like I’m continuing the legacy. You know, it feels like the next generation. And I really want to be that next jewelry maker for my family,” Patria said.

Part of the proceeds from Generation Jewelry helps feed children in Peru, a mission that connects Patria more deeply to his heritage.

For more information about Generation Jewelry, visit the website here.