Vram Minassian's Paris Debut: A Decade in Jewels

Vram Minassian, a Los Angeles jewelry designer, is set to present his first high jewelry collection outside the United States in Paris during Couture Week. The debut will feature over 40 unique, gem-set creations from his continuing five-chapter collection, Continuum.

This event signifies a major career milestone for Minassian, celebrating his brand's 10-year anniversary and the halfway point of his planned 10-part collection. He conceptualizes each part, or 'Moment,' as a wearable art object that speaks to a specific theme.

Minassian's journey began with a dream-inspired ring design in 2015, which evolved into full collections. His pieces showcase distinct stone-setting skills and ombré color gradients. He utilizes his own 18-karat gold alloy and sources gemstones from a personal inventory built since the late 1980s.

He prepares and sets his gems in silver for a flush surface finish, with all work done in-house. Notable pieces include the Xapis ring with a large peach tourmaline and the Vyv earrings featuring a spectrum of sapphires.

Collectors praise Minassian's sculptural and artistic approach, noting the blend of masculinity and femininity in his designs. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, into a family of jewelers, he honed his skills from a young age before moving to Los Angeles in 1985 to study at the Gemological Institute of America.

After years of working in private-label jewelry design, the 2008 financial crisis prompted him to establish his own Vram brand. Future collection themes are expected to explore concepts like belief, industry, and technology.