Geneva, Switzerland

Advancing the Heritage of Armenians in Jewellery

About Us
  • Board of Trustees

    The Armenian Jewellers Foundation was officially launched in Geneva, Switzerland, on August 16, 2013.

     

         
  • Mission

    The Armenian Jewellers Foundation is an exciting new effort that will explore the global heritage of jewellery, discover key jewellers and their contribution to the industry and provide funds to establish educational programs and scholarship programs for young emerging jewellers from all over the world.
  • Initiatives

    AJF plans to implement a number of initiatives in 2016 promoting Armenian jewellery heritage and providing scholarships to deserving young students.
  • Scholarship Program

    AJF launched its pilot scholarships program in 2014 thanks to an agreement signed with the Armenian Gemological Laboratory and Academy (AGLA) to fund gemological training for young Armenian students.
  • 100th Anniversary

    AJF sponsored and managed the publication, for the first time, of Miller’s collection catalogue and promote exhibits in 2015 and 2016. The inaugurating event was held on April 27, 2015 in St-Petersburg, with plans for further exhibits in Moscow, Yerevan, as well as in Europe and North America. 
Digital Library
  • Armenian Master Silversmiths by Osep Tokat

    AJF is proud to announce the launch of its Digital Library project dedicated to the history of Armenian jewellery art.
  • Armenian Master Silversmiths Book Review by Jack Ogden

    Tokat’s “profound fondness for silver” was prompted by what he calls “a handful of delicate Armenian artworks” that his parents had somehow managed to hold onto when they survived the Armenian genocide of 1915.

  • Treasures of Western Armenia

    Once in a lifetime, we come across an exceptional project; the publication and exhibition of the Treasures of Western Armenia is such an undertaking
Discover
  • Armenian Jewellery Heritage

    As we look back in time, there is a story to be told about every object, every road and every person. For the foundation, retracing the history of jewels and gems and the priceless objects on which they were adorned will allow us to look into a history that is rich with tales of love, loss and loyalty. 
  • History of Armenian Jewellery

    Since the dawn of civilization the art of jewellery making has been essential to man’s social development. Thousands of years ago communities would mine metals and then produce and trade jewellery of all types to the surrounding communities.
  • Today’s Prominent Jewellers

    Throughout history, jewellery masters have lived and worked in major city centers of the world, significantly contributing to the development of the global jewellery and gems industry. 
Study
  • AJF's Pilot Scholarship Program

    AJF launched its pilot scholarships program in 2014 thanks to an agreement signed with the Armenian Gemological Laboratory and Academy (AGLA) to fund gemological training for young Armenian students.A
  • Yearly Grants

    SCHOALRSHIPS PROGRAM 2015 
    AJF TO AWARD EDUCATIONAL GRANTS IN DIAMOND GRADING
Sponsor
  • Become a Friend

    Become a Friend of the Armenian Jewellers Foundation and gain the opportunity to receive updated information about our recent discoveries and have the opportunity to be involved in Foundation Activities and Events.

    Your involvement as a Friend to the Foundation will make a difference and will help create a community that will allow the Foundation to prosper.
  • Fundraising Initiatives

    Franck Muller Limited Edition Watches

    The Foundation’s first fundraising effort is made possible thanks to the generous support of Mr. Vartan Sirmakes, CEO of Franck Muller Geneva, who offered to manufacture a special limited series of Franck Muller watches celebrating the Armenian Alphabet. These watches will be given as a memento to the Foundation’s patrons whose contributions will provide start-up funds for education and research activities.
  • Current Patrons

    Become a Patron of the Armenian Jewellers Foundation and gain the opportunity to acquire unique gifts and get recognition for your contributions in all the Foundation’s publications.

    Your support as a Patron to the Foundation will make a difference and will shed light on a rich history and help educate the young jewellers of the future.
news

Study

AJF & THE ARMENIAN GEMOLOGICAL ACADEMY & LABORATORY ESTABLISH A SCHOLARSHIP FOR DIAMOND GRADING CERTIFICATE STUDENTS 

AJF launched its pilot scholarships program this fall thanks to an agreement signed with the Armenian Gemological Laboratory and Academy (AGLA) to fund gemological training for young Armenian students. The following five students representing various communitites were selected:

1) Alexan Kaplanian, an expatriate from Syria
2) Andranik Chilingaryan, a Tavush border village resident
3) Emma Muradian, an expatriate from Iraq
4) Hovhannes Shatvoryan, a Gyumri resident
5) Garabet Mazloumian, a Diasporan repatriate

AJF’s scholarship students have completed their intensive theoretical course, as well as their practical hands-on grading training. They will become certified Diamond Grading Experts in Decemebr 2014.

The following co-sponsored the AJF pilot scholarships program in 2014:


Jewelers Mutual Insurance 

Canadian Jewellers Association

Armenian Jewellers Association Montreal 

Armenian Jewellers Association Ontario 

Invessa Financial Services AJF Chairman

                                                         

Mr. Pierre Akkelian, member of the Patrons Club Ms. Taline Avakian, and AJF Strategic Development Director Hratch Kaspar visited the students in October 2014 to get acquainted with them and observe their training. To complement the learning curriculum, also, renowned art historian and Emeritus Professor Dr. Dickran Kouymjian of Fresno Sate University, accompanied by the Armenian National Institute’s Dr. Rouben Adalian were invited to AGLA speak about historical Armenian jewellery artifacts.

“We are very pleased to launch our scholarship program available to Armenian candidates living both in the homeland and the Diaspora,” says the AJF Trustee in charge of scholarships Aram Shishmanian. “Parallel to our research of the past, we are looking into ways to promote the next generation of internationally renown Armenian jewellery designers, gemologists and jewellery crafters.”

“I have known Artur Zanginyan, GIA Graduate Gemologist, for many years, and have admired his dedication to the field of gemology,” said former Gemological Institute of America President and AJF Trustee Bill Boyajian. “Artur established the ZANG laboratory in Yerevan in 1997, and launched his academic program in 2001 through the AGLA. He is the ideal person to partner with AJF in providing scholarships to deserving Armenian students.”

With further support from patrons, AJF’s scholarship program will continue and expand in 2015. Ten new students will be selected and sponsored at AGLA. Opportunities at leading international design and gemological schools will also be explored.


SCHOALRSHIPS PROGRAM 2015
AJF TO AWARD EDUCATIONAL GRANTS IN DIAMOND GRADING

Geneva, February 2015--The Armenian Jewellers Foundation (AJF) will award scholarships to five students seeking qualification in Diamond Grading.

AJF will support applicants enrolled in the full-time intensive certificate program offered by the Armenian Gemological Laboratory and Academy (AGLA) beginning in March 2015. The study curriculum covers all aspects of diamond studies and begins in March 2015. Graduates will become certified experts in diamond grading and have the opportunity to pursue a career in the jewellery sector.

Applicants must be Armenian and show a strong allegiance to traditions, customs and legacies. A recommendation letter is required along with a signed application form and other documents. Interested candidates should secure admission in the AGLA program prior to applying to AJF.

Completed applications must be received by February 20, 2015. Application forms and requirements are available online and may also be requested in writing through AJF. Priority will be given to deserving applicants from the following communities:

  • Syriahay expatriates 
  • Provinces 
  • Yerevan 
  • Artsakh 
  • Diaspora 

Teaching and course materials are in the Armenian language. Therefore proficiency in Armenian is a key requirement for all applicants. Preferably, applicants should also have a strong knowledge or background in physics.
The main curriculum highlights are:

1) Nature of diamonds and unwritten laws of diamantaires

2) Physics of diamonds 

3) Physical characteristics of diamonds 

4) Crystallographic symmetry of diamonds 

5) Optics of diamonds 

6) Color of diamonds and their appearance 

7) Diamond synthesis (HPHT, CVD) 

8) Diamond formation and mining 

9) Technological mineralogy/classification of raw diamond 

10) Diamond grading (theory and practice) 

11) Artificial and enhanced brilliants

         

 

AJF’s pilot scholarships program debuted at AGLA in 2014.Upon his graduation, Syriahay expatiate Alexan Kaplanian spoke to the local media about his experience: “We learned the whole science behind precious stones. The program especially dealt with the physical, geological and even philosophical aspects of diamonds. We are now able to easily differentiate between natural diamonds and diamond imitations.”

Emma Muradian, an Iraqahay graduate, said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of an industry that celebrates some of the happiest moments in peoples’ lives.”

AJF is proud to announce that during VicenzaOro 2015, AJA members decided to collectively sponsor one student this year at AGLA. The Foundation is grateful to the contributors and especially AJA founding member Krikor Istanboulli for hosting the event.

The Armenian Jewellers Foundation was established to advance the heritage of Armenians in jewellery. AJF’s mission is to undertake historical research, document present-day success-stories and ensure the transfer of knowledge to a new generation of industry leaders. The scholarship program promotes new capacity in the jewellery and diamond manufacturing sector both in Armenia and the Diaspora.

For more information on the scholarship program, please contact info@ajafoundation.org or info@gemology.am.


               

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