This week, Vanna tells us about her beautiful designs, deeply inspired by her Armenian heritage.

Some of the best jewelry designers in America are Armenians or from Armenian descent. Why are Armenians so talented in making jewelry?

Thank you for acknowledging that and I happen to agree. Armenians have always been highly skilled craftsmen and artisans, with unique hand techniques and a discerning eye for details. This cultural talent, which has been passed down from generation to generation, combined with a great amount of patience and strong work ethic, makes for a great combination, especially when crafting handmade jewelry. Armenians have been master carpet weavers, accomplished builders of ornate architecture, and of course, world-renowned jewelry designers. In fact, Armenians were known to be the best craftsman bringing to life the most beautiful jewels back in the early days of the Ottoman Empire. Therefore, it is an inherently innate talent which is a part of our people’s fabric.

Are there elements of your designs still inspired by your heritage and background?

Absolutely.  Everything that I design is a product of who I am, my origins, my likes, my own personal desires, and my experiences.  It would be impossible for me to create independent of my identity.  That is why each one of my pieces is so personal to me.  Armenians are a very ancient people with our own unique language.  We were also the very first nation to accept Christianity as a national state religion in 301 AD.  This fact, combined with my deep personal faith has led me to create pieces with the cross incorporated into the design in a subtle, yet aesthetically beautiful way. These pieces are on one hand very personal to me, yet I believe very universal and which can be appreciated by all women who love beauty and have a discerning eye.

Being a Christian nation, Armenia has hundreds of ancient churches, monuments and sculptures with beautiful hand-engravings.  As you can see in my pieces, I have incorporated the beauty of those engraved rock formations into the hand-engraved details of my vintage-inspired jewelry. Woman who wear my pieces sometime tell me they feel like they are wearing a piece of art from antiquity, passed down to her from another era.

Can you pick a ring in your collection that is more of a homage to your heritage/background?

There are so many! The ring above is inspired by my people’s religious background and symbolizes our Christian faith.  As you can see, I have set the cross vertically in such a way that it blends seamlessly into the design of the mounting.  I also think the rose gold gives this already meaningful design an even deeper antique and vintage feel, which is also an homage to my heritage.  It’s important to evoke emotion both in the shapes and design, but also with use of color, which I do often. The same is true to the ring bellow.

Also, the hand engraved carvings in the ancient structures I referenced previously can be appreciated here.

On another note, this honey bee pendant inspired by the fact that natural honey is highly cultivated in Armenia.

Have you been to Armenia recently? Which tourism sights/activities would you recommend four our couples who are romantic and interested in unique destinations?

I was in Armenia a few years ago and I highly recommend visiting the country to anyone who is interested in breathtaking natural landscapes, historic churches, and ancient cultural treasures at every turn.

There are so many destinations to suggest, but one of my personal favorites for romantic couples is Geghard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (one among many in Armenia).  Geghard is a medieval monastery that is partly carved out of the adjacent mountain and is surrounded by spectacular towering green cliffs. Not only is Geghard a sight to see aesthetically, but it has immense historical value, as the main chapel was built in 1215, while the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by St. Gregory the Illuminator.

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