by Mirella Haddad
 
Every year, luxurious Wynn Resort in Las Vegas hosts the Design Awards at the Couture Show – which celebrates renowned heritage brands, emerging designers, successful retailers and award-winning media from around the world.
 
Based design, craftsmanship and salability standards, a panel of judges constituted by top retailers, designers and jewelry editors from leading magazines study more than 200 submissions looking for jewelry designs with a strong and interesting impact.
 
A favorite of stars such as Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift and Rihanna, Yeprem Jewelry took home the People’s Choice award. What won the house this award was a diamond hand piece entitled ‘Ararad’ inspired by Mount Ararad, considered the homeland of all Armenians.
 
Paying tribute to the centenary of the Armenian Genocide, the jewelry piece embodies more than the mount itself, but a centennial milestone in the lifetime of a colossal civilization.  
 
Yeprem Chakardemian started his career as a jeweler by opening a small workshop in Beirut’s Bourj Hammoud area – Lebanon in 1964 to become a favorite jeweler for Hollywood stars. Today after 51 years in the jewelry design industry, the founder’s son Loutfic Chakardemian accepted the award on behalf of his family, with the promise of delivering more creative and unique jewelry pieces in the future.