Having grown up watching his father and uncle set up a jewellery business in Damascus and then establishing a diamond business in Antwerp, Arto Artinian’s foray into the jewellery business was inevitable. “We are second generation jewellers, and when I joined the company, I wanted to take the company international”, he says, seated in his plush office in Silom. A few visits to Thailand in the early ‘90s inspired him and his brother, Saro, to set up a factory and produce bespoke pieces for their international clientele from the Thai capital. Thus, Maison Artinian was born 22 years ago.
Today, with over 500 employees and an impressive factory, the brothers have propelled the family business further than any of them could have foreseen. Under the label Sartoro, they produce beautiful diamond jewellery for their international clientele. In the last few years, the brand has also started promoting and making jewellery for Thai clients who appreciate high jewellery and craftsmanship, informs Arto.
Maison Artinian’s cornerstone philosophy has always been to deliver pieces of the highest quality. “We are perfectionists,” Arto exclaims. “Our success lies in the fact that we look at details and the finishing of the product. Our workmanship is of very high quality and we appreciate when clients see that. There is a lot of effort that goes into it, from the design to the finishing, there are so many steps, and we are involved in every step.” Between the two brothers, Arto undertakes the management and marketing, whereas Saro is involved in the design and the creative end of the company.
At their flagship store located at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, some of their latest collections are on display, such as Gaia, Happy and Peacock, which shifts from the brand’s usual high-end lines and appeals as everyday luxury jewellery. “We feel people are going into minimalist jewellery these days, so we design accordingly – but the pieces still make a statement.The pieces from these collections can be mixed and matched and goes effortlessly from day to night,” Arto explains. For their newest collection, La Bohème, the brand collaborated with Danish-Armenian artist Elizabeth Romhild, to create jewellery pieces inspired by music, especially piano. The unique pieces were launched at an exclusive event recently at The St. Regis Bangkok.
Arto and Saro pride themselves in creating jewellery that caters to a niche market. “We don’t intend to do mass-produced pieces. Most women who wear our jewellery appreciate craftsmanship, and want to look different. Our pieces are timeless. Because of the quality, they don’t wear out or go out of fashion, and can be passed on to the next generation.”
To find out more about Maison Artinian, visit maisonartinian.com.