Siril Vascol Kazanjian: My company is showcasing its jewels in Armenia for the first time. The AJA provided all Armenian jewelers abroad with the opportunity to come together and showcase their work in Armenia.

My family represents the third generation of our family of diamond-cutters. My brother, Garegin and I head the company. We have a store on the most famous street in Paris where we showcase our works.

France is one of the large countries for diamond-cutting in the world, and our diamonds look more like French diamonds.

All diamond-cutters know that Amenia has the best processed diamonds, but the average person doesn’t know that. I have published a book called “Light of Armenia to make Armenia popular around the world. I would like everyone to recognize Armenia not only by name, but by images as well. I would like to introduce them to our country’s advantages, culture, history, as well as our crafts.

Every Armenian living away from our homeland is a representative of Armenia.

Eric Hezo Jaghatspanian, France, HERZO

Eric Hezo Jaghatspanian: I have participated in exhibitions held in all four corners of the globe, but this is my first exhibition in the homeland. I am very touched and am proud to be here.

Our company was founded in the 1990s in Lyon. HERZO is known for its style and design. Our collections are showcased on one of the most beautiful streets in Paris. One can sense the breath of the Armenian land, small details of Armenian and always find a sign in our collections.

It is my dream to see the new generation of Armenians in Armenia take pride in the country, its wealth and feel proud that there are people of Armenian origin abroad that are making the world recognize Armenians and Armenia.

Our company was invited to participate in the reputable exhibition organized in Hong Kong, but I rejected and wished to come here so that the Armenian nation takes pride in its culture, history and show everyone that we can organize beautiful exhibitions and take pride in being Armenian, even if we live in foreign countries.

Ruben Hakobian, USA, President of R.H & COMPANY

Ruben Hakobian: I am originally from Iran, but have been living in the United States for the past 46 years. Our company specializes in the turquoise stone business and we supply the whole world with turquoise. We receive the raw turquoise from Arizona, but we process it in China because it is cheaper there. We have 150 workers in China. I am also thinking of opening a reprocessing factory in Armenia because hand-labor costs the same in Armenia as it does in China. I am very serious. I have started studying the opportunities. If Armenia has a free economic zone, we will make investments with confidence.

Our company is the only one in its kind. Forty years ago, I noticed that McDonald’s only sells hamburgers. At the time, it had sold 45 million hamburgers, but now it has reached billions. I wanted to specialize in turquoise stone and become the best expert. That is a national trait. As you know, Armenians always want to be the best in whatever they do.

Gevorg Kojapapian, Switzerland, GERGE

Gevorg Kojapapian: Our company produces GERGE watches. We are here to celebrate Armenia’s independence at the invitation of AJA.

GERGE is a ten-year old company that has created more watches for special clients. Of course, we can’t mention any names, but we also have clients from Armenia.

Two years ago, we decided to sell our products. Our company’s advantage is that there is a limited amount of watches. They start from 88 pieces and end with 288. These pieces are sold every year and we are creating new samples. We don’t want every person to have the same watch. We want our customers to feel proud that the item they purchased is special and that he is the only one wearing it.

Our watches are expensive. The cheapest one is 5,000 dollars, and the most expensive one costs 72,000 dollars. The person buying our products should be a collector.

Nazareth Sabounjian, Lebanon, President of GEORGI SABOUNJIAN company

Nazareth Sabounjian: I am a founding member of AJA. My company was established in 1969 and is called G.S., which are the initials of my father’s name.

We produce everything jewelers need, including objects for display, boxes, bags, panels and pavilions for exhibitions. We have prepared 400 pavilions in different countries around the world. We draft, prepare and transfer. We have 5 centers involved in this in Bazel, Lebanon, Dubai, Bahren and Strodie. We are also thinking of having a center in Armenia.

In addition, we are building jewelry stores around the world. We build the store and implement the activities. We have stores built in Italy, Nigeria, Dubai, Sweden and Lebanon.

When RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan recently visited Lebanon, she gave me a gold medal. I am the president of the Armenian Association of Businessmen in Lebanon and have organized Armenian-Lebanese business forums twice.

Prepared by Lusine Abrahamyan