It is possibly the most poignant way of summarizing Anita Gumuchian’s story: “at Gumuchian, every piece tells a story of passion, precision, and unparalleled beauty” heralds the front page of the designer’s website. It was in 1979, while working in the male-dominated New York City jewelry industry, that she founded her luxury jewelry brand. Almost fifty years later, now led by her two daughters, Myriam and Patricia, Gumuchian has become internationally recognized for its commitment to quality and innovation. In an industry typically surrounded and led by men, Gumuchian embodies the ethos "Designed by Women, for Women," creating pieces that blend European elegance with modern versatility and achieving the “Made in New York” distinction for its craftmanship.
In 1979, as New York faced a decade-span of near-bankruptcy, high crime rates, and social unrest, when women business owners were routinely denied bank loans unless a male co-signed the document, Anita Gumuchian broke the mold. Moreover, while she was busy training her daughters to follow in her footsteps, the male Gumuchians, including her husband and son, handled the diamond cutting and trading in Turkey and Belgium. Today, it is her son’s, Andre, business in Antwerp in which they source their diamonds.
Today, all Gumuchian’s pieces are handcrafted in New York, at one of the last jewelry-making factories in the city. Their atelier, with its long heritage of in-house manufacturing, employs jewelers and benchman that have been with them since the beginning. This is how they guarantee attention to detail and superior quality. They are currently in the process of receiving their Responsible Jewelry Council certification (RJC), a recognition given to jewelers who demonstrate a dedication to responsible sourcing and ethical practices.
As of 2019, Gumuchian produces 12 different collections, all in 18-karat gold, platinum, diamonds, pearls and colored stones. While they range in style from classic to whimsical, all in some way speak to the founder’s love for nature, while still catering to the contemporary woman’s’ lifestyle. Some of their notable sets include Nutmeg, the nature-inspired compilation of earth tones and organic textures that lend an exquisite bohemian touch to any ensemble, ranking it high on the trend-conscious jewelry wearer’s list; and Spectrum, their electrifying array of toi et moi rings, with handpicked stones in vivid hues and unique saturation.
Gumuchian also produces two philanthropic collections, B and Tiny Hearts. The B collection is a luxurious assemblage of 18k gold and diamond pieces that pays homage to the honeybee and its role in maintaining balance in nature. Currently, portions of all proceeds are going to the University of Minnesota’s Bee Squad program. The Tiny Hearts collection, featuring 18k gold pieces, some with diamonds, some without, all with an understated elegant heart motif, serves as tribute to the founder’s granddaughter and benefits the Babies Heart Fund at Columbia Medical Centers to further their research.
Over forty years of creating luxurious jewelry while remaining committed to the highest standard, Anita Gumuchian and her company has proven that with the right amount of passion, precision, and bravery, you can go after what you dream and find it to be true.
Explore our selection of Gumuchian pieces at Shreve & Co. in Palo Alto today!