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

25 GRADUATES EMBARK ON NEW CAREER THANKS TO AJF'S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Published : Thursday, January 14, 2016
Back to News Section

The jewellery trade is part of our national heritage and a source of pride. Our mission is to perpetuate this significant segment of our cultural tradition both by informing the world about the immense contributions made by Armenians to the art of jewellery and promoting talented young Armenians in becoming the next generation of industry leaders. AJF's ambitious scholarships program has, to date, funded 25 students who have successfully completed their studies both in Armenia and abroad, and are now embarking on their new careers.

Canada
 
Tens of thousands of Syrian Armenians have fled the war and destruction in their country and are seeking refuge elsewhere. Many families have been able to resettle in Canada thanks to support from community groups. Montreal is believed to be one of the main destinations and has already welcomed over 1,000 Syriahay refugees. With the new government policy of welcoming 50,000 new refugees by the end of 2016, it is believed that many more Syriahays will be resettling in Canada.
 
Thanks to its partnership with the prestigious École de gemmologie de Montréal (EGM), AJF launched its special vocational training program for Syriahay refugees in Canada. Funding for this pilot initiative was provided by the Birks Family Foundation (BFF), with further support coming from community organizations. Following a number of information sessions held in the summer at AGBU Montreal for the newly arrived, AJF received about 30 applications of which 11 were selected. The successful applicants were: Diran Aharonian, Viken Apkarian, Haig Attachian, Rita Attachian, Knar Hamalian, Garabet Hassekian, Kevork Hassekian, Lilit Kandilian, Isken Karamanlian, Nerses Khachoyan, and Tsolig Moughalian. 
AJA Montreal honoured the first class of 11 Syriahay students during a networking event on November 18 where AJA members representing manufacturing, retailing and wholesaling companies shared their knowledge and experiences with the Syrian Armenian jewellers who resettled in Montreal. 
 
EGM also celebrated its special program with AJF during its annual awards ceremony held on November 25. During the event, AJF chairman Pierre Akkelian presented the Treasures of Western Armenia album as a token of appreciation to Jonathan Birks, former President of CJA and President of the Birks Family Foundation. Mr. Birks gave a passionate speech about the success of EGM and the value of reaching out to refugees during trying times. Syrian Armenian students were honoured by the speakers for their hard work, which prompted EGM Academic Director Chandra Horn and Melisende Diamonds owner Mr. Harout Ohanessian to fund a complementary hands-on Diamond Grading course. 
 
On October 11, AJF's Hratch Kaspar participated in the education forum organized by the key refugee services NGO Hay Doun (see The Gazette article) where AJF presented its educational programs to almost 80 Syriahay students. 
 
As refugees continue arriving to Canada (see story in The Globe and Mail), AJF is receiving requests for new scholarships in 2016. Talks are currently underway with EGM, as well as funding partners to accommodate the increase in demand. A call for applications has already been issued.
 
Armenia
 
The pilot program was launched in the fall of 2014 thanks to an agreement with the Armenian Gemological Laboratory and Academy (AGLA). The agreement until now supported gemological training for 14 students over three full-time intensive sessions. Grantees came from various communities such as the Syrian Armenian refugee community, residents of small villages, Artsakh, and the Diaspora. 
 
For the 2015 fall session, AGLA launched a new Diamond Grading curriculum that incorporates a more practical hands-on training for certificate students. Following a new call by AJF, 9 applications were received. In view of recent geopolitical developments, Syrian Armenian refugees who recently relocated to Armenia were given priority. Hence, the following candidates were selected: Hagop Faqjian, Raffi Kheshvadjian, and Vatche Artin Bedros, all jewellers from Aleppo who recently moved to Armenia, as well as Marina Sargsyan, an Honours student in physics from Armenia. The applicants from Aleppo were supported by the Ministry of Diaspora.

All graduating students completed the certificate program and AJF is proud to announce the fourth cycle of scholarships at AGLA for the winter 2016 session for applicants from the Syrian Armenian, Artsakh, provinces and Diaspora communities.
 
Join the Armenian Jewellers Foundation mission to celebrate and build on the Armenian jewellery tradition and innovation to spark the next generation of industry. You can make an impact today by contacting us at info@ajf.foundation to sponsor the next Armenian student! 
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