Nadine Mustafa It’s not by coincidence how some pieces of jewelry catch your eye and others don’t. It’s the work of a designer who is also an artist. That proficiency starts with the selection of design cues and culminates with the execution of harmony, structure, and movement concepts. That’s where the artist shines, demonstrates a common sense of smart design, and creates a slew of jewel design decisions that lead to a piece that is both polished and spectacular. These concepts describe various organizational strategies that Selim Mouzannar, a French Lebanese jeweler, employs. He interprets these concepts in a somewhat different way than painters or sculptors because jewelry places unique needs and expectations on him.
Selim Mouzannar was born into a family of jewelers, and raised in Beirut, witnessing his father’s craftsmanship over the years. His creations, which are driven by Modernist Architecture and Ottomans heritage, showcase his appreciation for everything surrounding him. A vibrant assortment of diamonds is surged to accentuate their luminosity and produce a pleasant radiance in each piece.
Mouzannar enjoys juxtaposing the memories, old and new ones, which is why his jewelry represents a legacy in constant motion. The poeticism of the antique-sized diamonds: Falamenk, commonly termed as Flemish size, allows the rosette designs of the Beirut collection to vanish in limitless permutations, while the sculpted stars of Istanbul are embedded in spectacular precious gemstones. The jewels of Selim Mouzannar are striking works that reflect their designer’s outgoing personality. A powerful identity is revealed and validated by the gems. Mouzannar enjoys experimenting here and there with hues and various interpretations to create different masterpieces with glowing inherent superiority, thanks to his profound competence in the world of jewels and his gemologist’s gaze.
We had the absolute pleasure to know the story behind this incredible genius man.
How was your childhood as you recall it?
In the beginning, I had an authentic childhood surrounded by love and happiness. However, when I turned 13, I lived in the civil war. It was a traumatic experience.
It has been a long journey, tell us what inspired you to take on the industry of Jewelry design?
I was born in a family where my father and grandfather were jewelers. As a kid, I used to help my dad in the Beirut Jewelry souks I tried vainly to resist this professional heritage, however, I failed.
When did you discover your love of jewelry?
I’ve always been curious to understand what I live around me. Jewelry was a part of my life, it comes naturally.
How did your perspective and knowledge change post your study of mineralogy?
Studying gems is key to understanding jewelry. Mineralogy is the natural mother of gemology and what teaches me the most about this very rich world.
How would you describe your collections?
I take care to reflect through my work perpetuity, happiness is a kind of colorful poem.
Where do you drive your inspiration from?
Nature is my main source of inspiration, and my life is the river.
Gemstones and diamonds are both infused in your designs, tell us about your techniques and school using such diversity?
This is the genuine result of what I lived and felt. I avoid synthetic messages ‘NATURAL’ could be the clothes to my world. Respecting the balance between the shape, the volume, the metal, and gems with a precise and innovative technic helped me a lot.
Do you call upon sustainability practices? If yes, what goes into creating sustainable pieces?
More than 50% of the pieces we produce are made with recycled metal. Our new studio and workshop were built with eco-friendly criteria.
How important is technology in crafting jewelry today? Do you support it?
Technology is important because it helps us to be more precise and efficient. I support it, not without the soul of craftsmen’s ship.
What do you like most about your job?
I enjoy learning every day, discovering new techniques, and creating new pieces. I also like meeting people and trying to make them happy.
Did you face any challenges during the emergence of Covid-19? And how did it affect your business?
Covid-19 pandemic was one of the challenges we all had to face as a business and as humans. It was a lesson to all humanity. It surely affected the business and on top of that, we have the economic and political collapse in Lebanon which makes it even more challenging. Even surrounded by violence and uncertainty we are always fighting for peace and progress.
After hitting international stardom, what is one thing you wish you knew sooner?
I always knew that I am a human between 8. billion I fight against my ego to keep a good level of humility.
How do you imagine the woman wearing your pieces? Do you have a specific description in mind?
As long she is free, independent, joyful, and powerful and wearing one of my pieces, I am happy too.
What advice would you give to the future designers of tomorrow?
Be patient, don’t be afraid of failure, be persistent, and do what you like more than what you love 🙂
