Gumuchian’s tagline, “designed by women for women,” says it all. Anita Gumuchian and her daughters, Myriam and Patricia, are incredibly passionate about what they design, and do, for the industry.
“Being a woman is a plus in our industry, as we know how a piece should feel while wearing it and we can test-drive all our pieces for comfort and wearability,” says Myriam Gumuchian Schreiber, co-owner and vice president of Gumuchian. “We think of things that perhaps men don’t consider, such as how clasps on bracelets and necklaces should not pull on our clothes, how necklaces shouldn’t turn upside down when worn, or that an earring shouldn’t pull on your earlobe.”
In 1979, Anita started Gumuchian because she felt there was a need for European-designed jewelry for the American market. At the time, there were not many women running a business in the industry.
“I would say we got very lucky from the beginning, establishing great relationships with some of the top retailer brands in the USA,” says Myriam. “I can’t recall a meeting or a time where we felt that being women was ever a challenge for us. We were recognized early on for what we did best: providing well-thought-of designs and the ability to produce them impeccably.”
Attending trade shows and having good reps on the road were very important factors toward their success. In 1995, Gumuchian was the proud recipient of WJA’s Best Jewelry Designer. In 2015, they received the WJA Corporate Award. They’ve also received numerous COUTURE and Centurion design awards. Myriam was honored as an AGS Triple Zero® Award recipient at the 2017 Circle of Distinction Dinner in New York City.
Myriam’s father, André, who ran A V Gumuchian, which specialized in fancy-colored diamonds and high-grade colorless diamonds, was a member of the American Gem Society (AGS). “I always remember him telling me that AGS was like the Good Housekeeping Seal of approval in our industry,” recalls Myriam. “So, of course, as we began our company, we looked into joining AGS. I’ve always enjoyed going to Conclave and like the friendly atmosphere as well as the great classes, plus the networking is invaluable.”
Myriam and Patricia are continually adding to their existing collections. “There isn’t a piece in our collection that we are not proud of,” says Myriam. “One of the things I always hear, especially when I’m doing trunk shows, is how good our pieces feel when worn; they are luxurious, comfortable, and timeless.”
What popular trends does Gumuchian see women wearing? Since the pandemic, jewelry styles have become more casual. “Women want to wear pieces that go with everything,” says Myriam. “Yellow gold is still a huge trend. Bezel set jewelry is having a renaissance as it fits the casual, carefree look women are seeking these days. We have developed many new collections that are all Bezel set. Also, big charms and personalization are a big!”
