
F
or over 45 years, designer John Apelian of John Apel has been a quiet trailblazer of jewelry design and fabrication. A master jeweler, his team of dedicated craftspeople work under his explicit direction in the creation of heirloom quality pieces, and he is broadly admired by those in the trade as a “jeweler’s jeweler.” John is aesthetically inclined towards classic and sophisticated, and he is uncompromising in bringing his vision to life, even if that means experimenting with new cuts and combinations like the signature mix of rose cut and fully faceted diamonds that he introduced 30 years ago.
Despite being a jeweler for close to half a century, John has a persistent curiosity about the craft.

Image courtesy of John Apel
Despite being a jeweler for close to half a century, John has a persistent curiosity about the craft. He continually takes deep dives into understanding all aspects of the fabrication process, such as throwing himself into learning more about gemstones and subsequently teaching himself how to cut stones as a hobby so that he can have a better understanding of their subtle nuances.

Image courtesy of John Apel
He is also adept at working with all types of precious metals, gracefully alternating between working in 18k gold, platinum or sterling silver, allowing his depth of understanding of the metal’s unique characteristics to guide his creative process.

Image courtesy of John Apel
A prolific painter, John’s ability to pair colors is inimitable, resulting in breathtaking combinations that are even more dazzling when worn. In addition to the materials with which he works driving his designs, the artist’s strong affinity for nature is evident throughout his collections.

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Leaves, vines, butterflies and flowers are common themes of his work, and the elegance of these motifs showcases a beautiful synergy of art and nature and supports his long-standing conviction that, “Jewelry should complement a woman’s beauty without overpowering it.”

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At his core, John is a devoted family man. He relishes any time he spends with his wife, children and grandchildren, enjoying nature in the outdoors, over a meal of meticulously prepared food or simply basking in their company.

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He is thrilled to work alongside his son, Alex, who has for years been contributing his unique perspective and precise skillset to the brand’s extensive roster of designs. Alex brings a fresh point-of-view to the brand’s creative output, while maintaining his father’s steadfast adherence to excellence in design and craftsmanship.

Image courtesy of John Apel
John’s allegiance to his family fuels the integrity he applies to all touchpoints of the John Apel brand and underscores his commitment to provide his clients with impeccably crafted pieces that utilize only the finest materials and that can be passed down for generations.