About Horovitz Jewelry
The history of Horovitz jewelry is rooted in the beginning of the 20th century in Alexandria. At that time, one of the leading jewelry dealers in Egypt was Wolf Horovitz (1883-1959). Originally Romanian, Horovitz based his business Bijouterie Horovitz in Alexandria. His élite jewelry clientele included the Royal courts of King Fouad I and King Farouk I. Horovitz earned his reputation as a prominent jeweler by dealing with the most important houses in Paris.
His son, Theodore Horovitz, started his career as a jewelry maker at the age of 17. He was working in his father’s shop. Eventually Theodore opened his own atelier and ended up creating jewels for Alexandria’s nobility and making a crown for the Queen. After the overthrow of King Farouk in 1952, Horovitz moved to Geneva. There he became one of the finest jewelers in the city: the colleagues called him “a legendary godfather to Geneva’s gem-dealing community”.
Today Horovitz jewelry is a rare find and the House pieces are sought-after by the jewelry experts.
About Turquoise Jewelry
Turquoise, with its vibrant blue-green hues, has been a cherished gemstone for centuries. In vintage jewelry design, turquoise holds a special place. The name “turquoise” came from the French pierre tourques and translates as a “Turkish stone.” The mineral was first transported to the west through Turkey from mines in the historical Khorasan province of Iran (Persia) and Afghanistan. Pre-Columbian Native Americans mined the stone throughout nowadays. In all these cultures turquoise was considered as a protective stone for warriors and symbolized the connection to heaven.
In the 17th century wearing turquoise jewelry was a must for a well-dressed gentleman. The stone was popular to the point when all the emeralds in the crown that Napoleon I gave Empress Marie Louise were replaced with Persian turquoise cabochons. Today Persian turquoise is beloved by jewelry aficionados for its warm, calming color. It may vary from sky-blue to green. As to the dark veins, it depends on your preferences and a certain piece. Some jewelry collectors prefer turquoise with a web pattern of matrix as it adds character to a piece.
The versatility of turquoise allows it to be used into various designs. Smooth cabochon cut turquoise is a common choice for vintage jewelry. Beadwork is also a popular technique that showcases turquoise’s unique color. Turquoise is often associated with the American Southwest, where Native American artisans have been using the stone for centuries. Vintage turquoise jewelry, influenced by Native American craftsmanship, often features silverwork, geometric patterns, and symbolic motifs.
