A Lifelong Jeweler
Born in Israel, and raised there in addition to Switzerland and Turkey, Yossi Harari, the grandson of an art and antiques collector, grew up surrounded by beautiful, worldly objects and ancient artifacts that delighted his senses. Influenced by his grandfather’s vast collections, Yossi developed his passion for jewelry design at an early age. When he was 11 years old, Yossi redesigned a diamond ring for his mother, and it was this artistic endeavor that set him on a course of creativity and design from which he has never strayed.
Yossi went on to receive formal training and degrees in gemology and jewelry design from the Gemological Institute of America in Los Angeles and in history of arts from Tel Aviv University in Israel. In 1992, Yossi launched his namesake brand when he opened his atelier in Istanbul, where his designs are still developed and produced. Not only does he work with pure 24K gold and his own trademarked metal alloy, 'gilver', a combination of sterling silver and 24K gold, but he also uses the finest stones available. In addition, Yossi Harari and his artisans meticulously handcraft each piece, implementing goldsmithing techniques that are centuries old.
Yossi explains, “My jewelry is a contrast between the old and the new. Although I am inspired by archeological jewels of the past, I have a modern, bold interpretation of classic designs.”
Just like the Mediterranean archeological jewelry that inspires Yossi, each piece is made by hand; every single clasp, bead, chain, and bezel is handcrafted without the use of molds or castings. This human-touch instills the feel and look of antiquity inherent in Yossi jewelry. These time-honored techniques ensure that no two pieces are ever exactly alike and makes wearing Yossi jewelry an entirely individual experience.
Combining timeless materials with a modern aesthetic, Yossi Harari's jewelry, designed to be layered and stacked, exudes a rich quality that feels both classical and stylistically innovative. Yossi explains, “I design for the sophisticated woman—the woman on the go who wants to be comfortable yet sexy, exotic yet modern, fashionable yet possessing her own sense of style.”
Yossi Harari has been recognized for his excellence in design when he was honored with the Couture Award in 2007, 2009, and 2014. Furthermore, Yossi has developed a cult-following of celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, Kate Hudson, and Jessica Alba, to name a few.