GURHAN

Nobody needs to point out that Gurhan's jewelry is the most distinguishable from all others. Aside from being the first contemporary designer to work with pure gold, his pieces are embued with ancient inspired techniques and an old world aura. From first impressions, one assumes that they are handling a restored artifact rather than a piece of fine designer jewelry.

For the longest time, most jewelry designers considered 24 karat gold too soft to work with. Gurhan, however, denounced this. Going back to the roots of ancient gold smithing, he studied Anatolian, Ottoman, and Byzantine techniques and applied their teachings to his craft. The softness of the metal and the almost archeological approach to his jewelry gave way to beautiful, organic, and historic designs. By leaving hammer dents and natural imperfections in the gold, he gives his work a very handcrafted and personal touch. He will also carve precious and semiprecious stones, or incorporate ancient coins in his jewelry. It really is a kind all its own.

This season he introduces his new line called "4/24." In this line he partners his signature 24 karat gold with a rediscovered Ottoman alloy containing only 4 karats of gold.