CEYDA GUNGOR | JADA

14K Rose Gold Juju Bracelet with Champagne Diamonds

With its long summers and beautiful beaches the Turkish city Alanya is an ideal seaside resort.  But Alanya’s natural wonders is not all this city has to offer. 

The power of Seljuk architecture is on display with the 13^th century Alanya Fortress, and the Red Tower.  Turkey is also home to featured jewelry designer Ceyda Gungor.

LIKA BEHAR

24K Gold and Oxidized Sterling Silver
Moonlight Sonata Pendant Necklace
with Labradorite

Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia (or the Church of Holy Wisdom) is a structure of unparalleled beauty. 

Though presently known as the Ayasofya Museum, the building is a stunning remnant of Turkish architecture.  Turkey is also home to featured jewelry designer Lika Behar.

VANESSA KANDIYOTI

18K Rose Gold Diamond Hoop Earrings

The Grand Palace, located in Brussels, Belgium, is a town square that houses magnificent 15^th and 16^th century architecture in the guise of Brussels City Hall and the King’s House.  

In addition every two years in August the grounds of the town square are covered with a flower carpet of begonias.  Belgium is also the birthplace of Vanessa Kandiyoti.

SEMIHA DURAK | GÜZEL JEWELRY DESIGN

Crochet Wire Pearl Earring

Located in Istanbul, Turkey is the lavish Dolmabahçe Palace.  Constructed during the mid-1800s, the palace boasts some of the most spectacular amenities known to the world.

They include an elaborate staircase and ceilings gilded with gold leaf.  Turkey is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Semiha Durak.

TEMEL BAHADIR | TEMEL'S METALWORK

Mixed Metal Ring with Copper, Bronze, Brass
Alpaca and Titanium

You can take your pick of exploring either mountain ranges or exotic beaches within Antalya, Turkey. 

Walking along the beaches of Antalya provides a precursor to water activities including wind surfing, sailing and water skiing.  Turkey is also home to featured jewelry designer Temel Bahadir.

NURDAN SEN

Within Mysia, Turkey lie the remnants of past kingdoms. The Pergamon Ruins is a complex of Grecian structures that include the Hellenistic Theater, the Sanctuary of Athena, and the Trajaneum. Turkey is also home to featured jewelry designer Nurdan Sen.

TOOSIS JEWELRY DESIGN

A remarkable structure located atop a mountain in Turkey is the Nemrut Dagi shrine. Flanked by enormous statues of Armenian and Greek gods, eagles, and lions, the centuries-old structure is a popular tourist attraction.

shopTurkey is also the home base of featured jewelry brand Toosis Jewelry Design.

FATMA OYA BORAHAN

The Turkish city of Bodrum is a great place to visit ancient architectural wonders including the “open-air” Amphitheatre museum, the Castle of St. Peter, and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. Turkey is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Fatma Oya Borahan.

In my mind handmade jewelry designs seem to hold a great sense of artistic integrity. The organic, free flowing design quality triggers feelings in me akin to whenever I smell the aroma of a homemade apple pie.

There is something homey and comforting about knowing that materials are carefully selected by hand and then cultivated by hand.

The Canada-based designer’s stunning links of crystal beads, gemstone necklaces, gemstone pendants, and 18-karat gold pieces possess warmth that goes beyond the myriad of gemstone and bead colors.

The 70-year-old artisan began her design career as a painter; painting fluid, colorful designs on silk. This outlet would then evolve into the designer painting scenery on silk scarves that ultimately led to a corresponding interest in jewelry.

“When I became interested in jewelry making and jewelry design, I began creating scarf clips for the silk scarves I was painting,” says Borahan. “I enjoyed making unique designs for the scarves so much that my art transposed into fabricating unique jewelry based on the designs and patterns of my scarves.”

While Borahan hand fabricated sterling silver and 18-karat gold into fashionable jewelry she took note of a missing element, gemstones.


Determined to carve and cut the raw gemstones she sourced over a twelve-year period, starting in 1992, the designer enrolled and completed a correspondence course with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA); and she received gemology diplomas from the German Gemmological Association (DGemA) and the Gemmological Institute of Great Britain (GemA).

Borahan says this of her time studying in Idar-Oberstein, Germany “I learned gem carving from Hans Ulrich Pauly, and stone cutting from Hans G. Gordner. I hoped that some of their artistic talent rubbed off onto me.

In my opinion, Hans Ulrich Pauly is one of the most talented artists around. I was the happiest person in the world when he accepted to teach me.”

Borahan’s aesthetic is not limited to one style as she alternates between minimalist and sophisticated to chunky and bold to organic and abstract. Some metal pieces are regal and powerful while other designs are interspersed with twined cord, wire wrap and crocheted metal wire providing a gorgeous array of looks.

Maintaining a settled, peaceful temperament and utilizing “green” sensibilities is central to her creation process. “My bedroom is right next to my workshop; so in the middle of the night, whenever I had an idea, I would get up and draw it or write notes,” she says.

“One time while doing some metalwork, there was a piece of gold left over that I did not know what to do with so I melted it down, pushed in the middle and set a garnet in it. I don’t throw away what I don’t use.

I also believe that a sound knowledge of one’s merchandise and gemology is paramount in order to effectively serve customers. Over the years, it has become my belief that some jewelers misinform their customers not as an act of deception but rather as a result of ignorance about their materials.”

Presently, the semi-retired Borahan conducts seminars for members of the Montreal Gem and Mineral Club.

Though her website includes a great photo gallery of jewelry pieces, it appears the website serves more as a place for the designer to share her culmination of knowledge and not necessarily as a conduit to sell her jewelry.
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Photo 1 (top right): Rose Quartz Briolette Pendant with Quartz Beads
Photo 2 (center): 18-Karat Gold Black Onyx Necklace
Photo 3 (bottom left): Sterling Silver Necklace with Transparent and Pink Beads

EBRU DANYAL

Once serving as the residence of sultans, Turkey's Topkapi Palace has become a significant remnant of the country's history that currently serves as a museum.

It is a structure of enormous proportions with tall gates, pavilions, and courtyards each with its own purpose. Turkey is also the home of featured jewelry designer Ebru Danyal.

OZLEM TUNA

Nearly 1,500 years ago the ominous cathedral Hagia Sophia, located in Istanbul, Turkey, was built by the order of Roman Emperor Justinian.

Renowned for its spectacular dome, the magnificent structure was considered "the epitome of Byzantine architecture." Turkey is also home to featured jewelry designer Özlem Tuna.

SEVAN BICAKCI

Though wintry weather still has a grip on Turkey, once the cold snap breaks we will pay a visit to Çukurova University Botanical Garden. With grounds covering more than 100-acres, it houses indigenous and international species of flora. Turkey is also home to featured jewelry designer Sevan Biçakçi.

JEWEL HOUSE OF MINYON

An astounding structure built during the mid 1400s, the Rumelli Fortress in Turkey is a marvel of Byzantine architectural influences.

Over the centuries, it has undergone several renovations and presently houses a museum. Turkey is also the home base for jewelry brand Jewel House of Minyon or Atelier Minyon.

CEREN KEYMAN

It is said that the view of Turkey's Anatolia Fortress at sunset is like peeking into a parallel universe filled with romance and adventure. Turkey is also the home of featured jewelry designer Ceren Keyman.

SURA JEWELRY

A former meeting place for kings, princes, emperors, and dukes, today we visit the resplendent Beyerbeyi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey.

Built by Armenian architects during the mid-19th century under the order of Sultan Abdulaziz, the palace houses crystal chandeliers from France, oil paintings, and porcelain vases. Turkey is also the home of featured jewelry designer Yeliz Titiz.

YOSSI HARARI FINE JEWELRY

There are over 3,000 species of trees and plants in Tel Aviv University Botanic Gardens in Israel, and there is some interesting trivia to learn as we stroll along its paths.

Amidst 750 species of eucalyptus, we learn that the cinnamon tree is not only closely related to the avocado tree, but the outer bark lacks a cinnamon aroma. Israel is also the birthplace of featured jewelry designer Yossi Harari.

NERSEL & IRENE

Many have said that Patara Beach in Lycia Patara, Turkey is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth. Bordering the beach's lengthy, crystal-white sands are rolling mountains and undulating dunes.

The beach's quiet, tranquil surroundings cultivate relaxation, and of course, the view of the Mediterranean Sea's gem-tone, turquoise waters completes the picture perfect excursion into a terrestrial Heaven.

Turkey is also home to jewelry design team Nersel zur Muehlen and Irene Sokullu.

GURHAN ORHAN

Today we are in Istanbul, Turkey amidst the bustling energy and excitement of the Grand Bazaar.

With the backdrop of multiple types of pottery, exotic spices, and jewelry we will meet with a native son of Turkey jewelry designer Gurhan Orhan.