Look Book

12 www.thejewelrybook.com M I C H A E L J O H N O N T H E C O V E R In 2005, after 18 years in the industry as a designer and manufacturer for numerous luxury jewelry brands, award-winning designer Michael Hezar made the deci- sion to put his talent to work for a label of his own. Joining forces with his brother, John Hezar, they launched their new brand, Michael John Jewelry, to great acclaim. Catapulted to immediate recognition with their inaugural Déjà vu collection, Michael John Jewelry built its empire upon a vision for a once out-of-date diamond. "I loved the old rose cut, historically made by hand," explains Michael Hezar. "It had long since passed out of favor and in 2007 nobody was using diamonds with few facets. We brought it back again. We paired this lovely old fashioned stone with full cut diamonds for the Déjà vu collection…and that was beginning of everything." Michael John's modern revival of the his- toric rose cut diamond popular in Paris of the 1500s became an award-winning collection that immediately put Michael John Jewelry on the map…and in some of the most exclusive retailers around the country as well as on the world's most recognizable celebrities. The distinguished Eiffel Tower design was created to evoke the history and romance of Paris. With an eye for great stones with a passion for architecture, Hezar created a collection that remains a best seller nearly 10 years later. One of the fi rst brands to resurrect the rose cut as a modern offering for contem- porary jewelry design, Hezar holds tight to this signature look. "We continue to build our designs on this signature cut," says Hezar. "Even if the ring has a pavé band or a diamond halo, we still add a rose cut diamond somewhere!" Not always aiming for a career as a suc- cessful jewelry designer, the young Hezar was a passionate and naturally talented athlete well on his way to becoming a professional soccer player. An unfortu- nate knee injury changed his plans and landed Hezar in a jewelry store where he quickly learned the trade and realized that he had other, equally exceptional gifts and talents. By Brooke Conner Sevenau The jewelry of Michael John dares to be different Exceptionally Excellent Michael Hezar

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