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

AJF ATTENDS JCK 2014 AND PROMOTES ITS MISSION

Published : Monday, November 10, 2014
Back to News Section

The 2014 JCK Show in Las Vegas also served as AJF's platform for networking and raising awareness of its mandate. Pierre Akkelian, Gagik Gevorkyan, Bill Boyajian and Hratch Kaspar held various meetings to discuss opportunities and promote the objectives of the foundation.

Introductory meetings were held at JCK, Luxury, and at the Antique Jewellery and Watch Show. Guests at the AJA annual cocktail on June 1st, 2014, also had a chance to learn about AJF's programs and received the Foundation's latest pamphlets. During the event, AJF Chairman Pierre Akkelian publicly thanked the AJA Western USA Chapter for their fundraising effort in 2013, briefly explained AJF's initiatives and presented the new Director for Strategic Development, Hratch Kaspar.
AJF attended conferences held at JCK by AJF trustee Bill Boyajian and registered gemologist appraiser Jack Ghazalian. The Armenian jewellery community was also invited to gather at the local Saint Garabed Armenian Church. AJF had the opportunity to meet with the parish priest Rev. Arsen Kassabian, parish council president Garo Bedirian, and other community members. Several targeted meetings were held with Mr. Ghazalian and other certified appraisers to support AJF's historical research and teaching efforts.

Having heard of the heritage research project at the JCK Show, AJF's team was approached by Mr. Arshag Bohdjalian who recounted the story of an antique item from Armenia. "I would like to see it in its rightful place in history and appreciated for its cultural significance," he said.

The story is about a silver watch manufactured in the 1870's at Le Locle, Switzerland, by the founder of Zenith, George Favre Jacot. In fact, Zenith is currently conducting a study to determine the exact age of the watch. Master silversmiths from Van are believed to have delicately engraved the cover with a portrait of Khrimian Hayrik, one of the most beloved figures in Armenian history, using colored enamel that still shines today.

The artifact belonged to a Dersim Armenian by the name of Sarkis Sarkissian who was murdered by the Agha Ibrahimin in 1915. Years later, the latter sold the stolen watch to the son-in-law of the rightful owner Hovnatan Hovagimian whose family has kept it safely to this day. AJF will conduct a thorough interview to document the item in its virtual library, which will be opened for researchers in the future.

As part of the campaign to present AJF's mission to various jewellery communities, AJF's Pierre Akkelian visited Mr. Laurence Tufenkjian in Beirut, and Hratch Kaspar met with Robert Tateossian in London. 

 

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