Yossi Harari (??? – ) is recognized as a pioneer who brought back the art of creating pure, handcrafted 24-karat gold jewelry. He established his business in 1991.
His gold pieces, including those accented with hammered gold and libra pave, are noted for their creative and bold combinations of diamonds and precious gemstones. He selects the gems for their durability and ability to withstand the intense work done to achieve the setting.
Harari was born in Israel, raised in Switzerland and Turkey. He is the grandson of an art and antiques collector and grew up surrounded by beautiful objects and ancient artifacts that made an indelible impression on him. Influenced by his grandfather’s vast collections, Yossi developed a passion for jewelry design at an early age. He designed his first piece of jewelry when he was 11 years old: a redesigned a diamond ring he made for his mother. It was this task that set him on a course from which he never strayed.
Today, with a workshop in Istanbul and a showroom in Tel Aviv, Harari is renowned for his meticulously hand-crafted, 24 karat gold jewelry that uses goldsmithing techniques both centuries old and contemporary. He is also known for seeking new ways to express his art and achieve fresh. Stunning, and exclusive results.
Harari developed his own trademarked metal alloy, ‘Gilver’, which is a combination of sterling silver and 24K gold encrusted with fine gemstones. With this alloy, he created an entire line of chic, handcrafted couture pieces that offer an alternative to traditional gold and sterling silver jewelry.
Harari began formal training in the late 80’s and early 90’s and received degrees in Gemology and Jewelry design from the Gemological Institute of America in Los Angeles. He followed this with a History of Arts degree from Tel Aviv University. Perfecting his skills in the U.S. and Israel, he opened a couture jewelry atelier in Istanbul in 1991 where he revived the long forgotten art of 24K goldsmithing.
Harari is renowned for his understanding of the modern women’s desire to be bedecked in luxurious, chic, bohemian, yet cutting-edge couture jewels that can be worn from day to night and while displaying an iconic, effortlessly cool, and fashion-forward look.
His current featured collections include Lace, an intricate mesh of 18K gold delicately hand-set with sparkling champagne diamond accents; Libra, a handcrafted boho-chic collection inspired by bold Leopard print designs; Reyna, a 24K gold collection that features handpicked diamonds and colorful gemstones.; and Sara, created in stunning mosaics of rose-cut diamonds dramatically set in Harari’s signature black oxidized gilver setting.
Other collections are identified as Cascade, Charms, Heaven On Earth, Helen, Jane, Lilah Color, Lilah Diamond, Melissa, Micah, Rachel, Roxanne, and Vinyl. Pieces in Harari’s collections include bracelets, earrings, rings, necklaces, and pendants.
Today, Harari is one of the most famous, trendsetting designers whose pieces line the shelves of prestigious retailers, such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. Among the ‘A’-List celebrities who wear his creations are Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Selma Hayek, and Jane Fonda to name only a few.
In 2007, 2009, and again in 2014, Harari received the Couture Design Award (equivalent to an ‘Oscar’ in the jewelry industry) for excellence in jewelry and timepiece design.
In September 2018, Shefa Yamim, a mining company announced it had signed a Letter of Intent with Harari to create a unique 18-piece set of fine jewelry using gemstones found in Shefa Yamim’s Kishon Mid-Reach Zone 1 deposit. Several pieces are already on retailers’ shelves.
Harari uses gems and diamonds as a painter uses oils — mixing and matching them to create his desired effect. He selects only the best, most vibrant and accessible colored stones, such as sapphires, Persian turquoise, tsavorite garnet, and Paraiba tourmaline. These, and diamonds, gleam from the folds of the gold or Gilver settings that surround them.
His Tel Aviv headquarters, including a stunning showroom used for private and by-appointment jewelry viewings, was his grandparent’s home. Built in 1971 as an exact replica of their winter home in Istanbul, the house features hand-painted and decorated ceilings in stucco and 24k Gold leaves, agate marble floors, Baccarat crystal chandeliers, gilded wood, elaborate doors, and 18th century French designs.
Harari quotes are plentiful and often repeated. Two of the more famous are, “My jewelry is a contrast between the old and the new. Although I am inspired by archeological jewels of the past, I have a modern, bold interpretation of classic designs” and “I design for the modern woman – the woman on the go, who wants to be comfortable, sexy, and exotic yet modern, fashionable [while] possessing her own sense of style.”
Harari attributes the success of his nearly three decade old business to “a Love for Art.”
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