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 Gemology Graduates and Vocational Training Students Receive Diplomas

Published : Wednesday, June 20, 2018
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On the occasion of the World Refugee Day celebration organized by Hay Doun on June 20, 2018, 16 AJF scholarship students received Certificates in Gemology I, II and III courses held in 2017, as well as 4 graduates received full Diplomas in Gemology from the École de gemmologie de Montréal (EGM) -- one of the prime jewellery academies in Canada.

The event also commemorated the success of a special program for Syrian expatriates enrolled in the vocational training program managed by Hay Doun and supported by RBC, in cooperation with AJF. Thanks to this initiative, 18 youths received guidance and financial assistance to pursue vocational training in Montreal in various fields supporting integration.

On this occasion, AJF Chairman Pierre Akkelian stated: “We are proud of our collaboration with Hay Doun aimed at empowering newly arrived Syrian compatriots and we are eternally grateful to the generous support of AJF patrons. We are fortunate to live in the greatest country in the world where corporate leaders such as RBC Quebec president Martin Thibodeau and his wonderful team members now lead by Nadine Renaud Tinker support such great initiatives. Without RBC’s support none of these life-altering accomplishments would have been possible.”

Thanks to the AJF educational program, 122 scholarship grants were allocated to-date to deserving young students in collaboration mainly with the EGM and the Armenian Gemological Laboratory and Academy (AGLA) through the support of a number of generous donors and community organizations.

Hay Doun, a community NGO that settled more than 2700 refugees in Canada through its collective sponsorship programs, launched the Vocational Training Program in September 2016 with the financial support of Royal Bank of Canada – RBC and in cooperation with AJF.

Hay Doun Director Narod Odabashian stated during the event: “The evening was marked by the power of collective efforts and mobilisation in helping young Syrians pursue their educational dreams. As the testimonials of Araz and Nareg conveyed, together we helped them reach their potential. They in turn feel empowered to enrich the lives of many through their professional aspiration and are very thankful! This new host society has just gained 18 youths who will have a tremendous impact on all our lives.”

The event was attended by RBC’s Angie Cefaratti, Michael Catheline, Hasmeeg Apekian who commented and thanked AJF and Hay Doun on the success of this special partnership that generated incredible outcome. Emmanuel Manoukian, Paul Nahabedian from RBC Dominion Securities and Vera Kurkdjian from RBC Private Banking also participated in the celebration. On this occasion, copies of the acclaimed Treasures of Western Armenia catalogue published by AJF and St Petersburg Ethnography museum and recognized as the most important publication dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian genocide was gifted to Hay Doun and EGM.

AJF Announces New Educational Program for 2018 in Matrix Jewellery Design

The Armenian Jewellers Foundation announces new scholarships for Syrian-Armenian expatriates in Matrix Jewellery Design co-sponsored by the world’s leading jewellery company Stuller Inc.. This new program is implemented in collaboration with the École de gemmologie de Montréal (EGM), one of the prime jewellery academies in Canada. The curriculum is dedicated exclusively to the use of the world-renowned Matrix 3-D CAD software, which is the leading tool used to create jewellery designs since 2001.15 new scholarships will be awarded for a customized training course that will take place at EGM from August 7 to 11, 2018. For more information please visit www.AJF.foundation

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