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Al-Arabiya, UAE
May 8 2011
Azature: The black star
Saturday, 07 May 2011
By UMITA VENKATARAMAN
Al Arabiya with Agencies
Welcome to a world of darkness. It is a dense, opaque darkness,
glimmering with unspeakable beauty. It speaks in hushed tones and
contains secrets of time immemorial. Before time itself existed on
earth? It is the mystifying world of black diamonds.
Geologists say black diamonds, or carbonado, originated on earth 3.5
billion years ago and that they are much older than conventional
diamonds. They are found only in Brazil and the Central African
Republic.
Researchers say they found hydrogen, which indicates an origin in
hydrogen-rich interstellar space. They believe that carbonado diamonds
formed in stellar supernova explosions, which created large asteroids
that traveled through space before landing on earth some 2.3 billion
years ago. And black diamonds are the rarest among the entire carbon
family.
How is that for the history of a ring that might adorn your finger?
Because you can buy jewelry made from black diamonds. And the man who
is the master of crafting this ancient material into extraordinary
trinkets is Azature.
A graduate of the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York,
Azature is a renowned black-diamond-focused designer who is dedicated
to providing his clients with superior, conflict-free gems. Although
he uses only one name, Azature, his surname is Pogosian.
The tradition of quality goes back generations to the time when his
great-grandfather, also known as Azature, established the family's
first atelier in Beirut, before migrating to Yerevan in Armenia in the
early 1900s. In Armenia, he founded a prestigious and exclusive
jewelry company under the family name.
In an interview with Arab News, Azature said, `Offering clients access
to the highest quality, most exclusive diamonds in the world, the
family provided customers with the one-of-a-kind, unique pieces their
hearts desired,' said Azature. `The exquisite became the standard for
my grandfather who often partnered with Fabergé.'
The House of Fabergé, under the guidance of Peter Carl Fabergé was
recognized for its superb craftsmanship and inventiveness of design.
This distinction earned the House the patronage of the Imperial Court
of Russia during the reigns of Alexander III (1881-1894) and Nicholas
II (1894-1917). It was for these illustrious patrons that the House of
Fabergé fashioned the masterpieces for which they are most famous, a
series of magnificent jeweled Easter eggs - treasures so perfectly
crafted, they came to epitomize the pinnacle of the jeweler's art.
All Azature pieces are comprised of gemstones from the exclusive
Azature black diamond collection. `They are based on an uncompromising
commitment to quality, creativity and personal attention - something
that I have learned from my families' time-tested craftsmanship,'
Azature said in his interview with Arab News. He also says, `I sustain
the Azature commitment to excellence, while updating it with a modern
sensibility.'
The first collection of Azature's fine jewelry premiered in 2007. It
was a collection of seven intricately designed pieces, which included
necklaces, charms and statement rings. The line introduced a luxurious
new metal - a chemically developed platinum and silver
combination - paired with enamel, onyx and black diamond.
Azature's black diamond jewelry has adorned celebrities such Rihanna,
Beyonce, Fergie, Megan Fox, Kelly Clarkson, Scarlet Johansson, Kim
Kardashian, Cindy Crawford, Zoe Saldana, Lindsay Lohan, and Liv
Tyler - to drop a few names.
According to Azature, `The Middle East is a very, very special place
for me. The support I have received from the Middle East since day one
has been beyond my wildest dreams.' He also says, `My
great-grandfather was born in Middle East, I have very strong cultural
ties and will continue to be excited to visit every time I get the
opportunity.'
His designs demonstrate a rich cultural insight, from ancient
mythology to his own heritage, which is a combination of Greek,
Lebanese and Armenian and modern pop culture. Azature's aesthetic is a
blend of old refinement and contemporary boldness.
And who, apart from celebrities wear his jewelry? He says, `My designs
are for those individuals who really do what they love and are the
rebels of their country - they're the movers and shakers, and they want
something new, something different.'
How long will Azature, the black star of diamond jewelry continue to
glitter? That is something only time will tell. But he has time on his
side. After all, his story began 3.5 billion years ago.
(This article uses excerpts from Azature's interview in Arab News.
Umita Venkataraman of Al Arabiya can be reached at
[email protected])
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/05/07/148219.html
From: A. Papazian
May 8 2011
Azature: The black star
Saturday, 07 May 2011
By UMITA VENKATARAMAN
Al Arabiya with Agencies
Welcome to a world of darkness. It is a dense, opaque darkness,
glimmering with unspeakable beauty. It speaks in hushed tones and
contains secrets of time immemorial. Before time itself existed on
earth? It is the mystifying world of black diamonds.
Geologists say black diamonds, or carbonado, originated on earth 3.5
billion years ago and that they are much older than conventional
diamonds. They are found only in Brazil and the Central African
Republic.
Researchers say they found hydrogen, which indicates an origin in
hydrogen-rich interstellar space. They believe that carbonado diamonds
formed in stellar supernova explosions, which created large asteroids
that traveled through space before landing on earth some 2.3 billion
years ago. And black diamonds are the rarest among the entire carbon
family.
How is that for the history of a ring that might adorn your finger?
Because you can buy jewelry made from black diamonds. And the man who
is the master of crafting this ancient material into extraordinary
trinkets is Azature.
A graduate of the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York,
Azature is a renowned black-diamond-focused designer who is dedicated
to providing his clients with superior, conflict-free gems. Although
he uses only one name, Azature, his surname is Pogosian.
The tradition of quality goes back generations to the time when his
great-grandfather, also known as Azature, established the family's
first atelier in Beirut, before migrating to Yerevan in Armenia in the
early 1900s. In Armenia, he founded a prestigious and exclusive
jewelry company under the family name.
In an interview with Arab News, Azature said, `Offering clients access
to the highest quality, most exclusive diamonds in the world, the
family provided customers with the one-of-a-kind, unique pieces their
hearts desired,' said Azature. `The exquisite became the standard for
my grandfather who often partnered with Fabergé.'
The House of Fabergé, under the guidance of Peter Carl Fabergé was
recognized for its superb craftsmanship and inventiveness of design.
This distinction earned the House the patronage of the Imperial Court
of Russia during the reigns of Alexander III (1881-1894) and Nicholas
II (1894-1917). It was for these illustrious patrons that the House of
Fabergé fashioned the masterpieces for which they are most famous, a
series of magnificent jeweled Easter eggs - treasures so perfectly
crafted, they came to epitomize the pinnacle of the jeweler's art.
All Azature pieces are comprised of gemstones from the exclusive
Azature black diamond collection. `They are based on an uncompromising
commitment to quality, creativity and personal attention - something
that I have learned from my families' time-tested craftsmanship,'
Azature said in his interview with Arab News. He also says, `I sustain
the Azature commitment to excellence, while updating it with a modern
sensibility.'
The first collection of Azature's fine jewelry premiered in 2007. It
was a collection of seven intricately designed pieces, which included
necklaces, charms and statement rings. The line introduced a luxurious
new metal - a chemically developed platinum and silver
combination - paired with enamel, onyx and black diamond.
Azature's black diamond jewelry has adorned celebrities such Rihanna,
Beyonce, Fergie, Megan Fox, Kelly Clarkson, Scarlet Johansson, Kim
Kardashian, Cindy Crawford, Zoe Saldana, Lindsay Lohan, and Liv
Tyler - to drop a few names.
According to Azature, `The Middle East is a very, very special place
for me. The support I have received from the Middle East since day one
has been beyond my wildest dreams.' He also says, `My
great-grandfather was born in Middle East, I have very strong cultural
ties and will continue to be excited to visit every time I get the
opportunity.'
His designs demonstrate a rich cultural insight, from ancient
mythology to his own heritage, which is a combination of Greek,
Lebanese and Armenian and modern pop culture. Azature's aesthetic is a
blend of old refinement and contemporary boldness.
And who, apart from celebrities wear his jewelry? He says, `My designs
are for those individuals who really do what they love and are the
rebels of their country - they're the movers and shakers, and they want
something new, something different.'
How long will Azature, the black star of diamond jewelry continue to
glitter? That is something only time will tell. But he has time on his
side. After all, his story began 3.5 billion years ago.
(This article uses excerpts from Azature's interview in Arab News.
Umita Venkataraman of Al Arabiya can be reached at
[email protected])
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/05/07/148219.html
From: A. Papazian