The new collection that Kirk Kara brought to the Luxury trade show in Las Vegas last week represents “a new chapter” in the 135-year-old company’s history, its CEO tells JCK.
The Pasadena, Calif.–based brand is expanding beyond bridal for the first time in two decades, with a fine jewelry line aimed at the self-purchasing female, says CEO Angela Karaguezian.
“The fine jewelry landscape is evolving, and so are today’s consumers. We’re seeing a growing demand for versatile, wearable luxury—pieces that aren’t reserved for special occasions but become part of a person’s daily life,” she says.
“Self-purchasing is on the rise, with customers seeking fine jewelry that feels personal, expressive, and aligned with their style, whether they’re wearing it to the office, school drop-offs, or a night out,” says Karaguezian. “Our new designs—handcrafted earrings, necklaces, and bracelets—are a direct response to that shift.”
The new jewelry complements Kirk Kara’s engagement rings and wedding brands, and it features the brand’s signature details, such as hand-engraving, milgrain edges, and colorful gemstones.
Karaguezian says her goal is to bring forth collections that reflect Kirk Kara as “artisans of emotion, creators of beauty, and storytellers of heritage.
“Every detail speaks to our deep-rooted passion for fine jewelry design,” she continues. “We’re calling this the Anniversary collection in celebration of 135 years of artistry. The individual pieces are thoughtfully designed as natural extensions of our iconic collections like Charlotte, Stella, and Angelique.”
Kirk Kara was founded in 1890 by Karaguezian’s great-grandfather Bali, who opened a workshop in Armenia in 1890, making and selling hand-engraved jewelry. He died in the 1915 Armenian genocide, but his son Artin escaped to Beirut, where he continued the jewelry tradition.
Artin created the company’s first wedding band for his wife, Angel, and his talents grew the business. Artin’s son Kirk worked alongside his parents, rebuilding their business several times after their shop was destroyed during Lebanese civil wars.
In 1983, Kirk and his wife, Lucy, moved to the United States with their daughters, Grace and Angela. They changed the company name in 2000 from Something Special to Kirk Kara. Angela worked in the Kirk Kara offices during summer vacations from school.
In April 2004, Karaguezian formally joined Kirk Kara, understanding that branding was a key to its growth. In 2012, she received her MBA, with a concentration in entrepreneurship and marketing, from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles (which she’d also attended as an undergraduate).
Karaguezian became CEO of Kirk Kara in 2021. She says she’s brought a different perspective to the company as its first female head, embracing innovation in its designs and concentrating on storytelling, marketing, and public relations.
“Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, we remain focused on creating ‘forever captivating’ designs that reflect our heritage and the evolving tastes of today’s jewelry buyers,” she says.
“While we’ll continue to highlight 14k gold, diamonds both natural and lab, and royal blue sapphires—our signature stone—we’re always exploring pops of color with our gemstones that align with current trends,” says Karaguezian. “The future of fine jewelry is about personal expression, storytelling, and versatility—and we’re excited to be part of that evolution of our industry.”
Top: Kirk Kara’s new Anniversary collection, featuring handcrafted baguette designs in 14k gold, is designed for those who love to layer. (Photos courtesy of Kirk Kara)
- Subscribe to the JCK News Daily
- Subscribe to the JCK Special Report
- Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
- Follow JCK on X: @jckmagazine
- Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
