Empowered by FAR, Inspired by Heritage: The Story of Karni Jewellery

When the Davoudian family moved from Syria to Armenia in 2015, they arrived with hope, determination, and generations of craftsmanship behind them.

Like many families starting over, they first ventured into a new business. They opened a restaurant, eager to build a future in their historic homeland. But without a deep understanding of the local market, the business did not succeed.

Rather than giving up, they returned to what they knew best. Jewelry making had been the family's craft for generations.

"My grandfathers were jewelers, too. I am the fourth generation to continue this profession," says Karno Davoudian, one of the founders of Karni Jewellery.

In 2016, the family began selling their creations at Yerevan's Vernissage market, using the experience to better understand customers and the local market. After nearly a year of careful observation, they introduced a collection of sterling silver jewelry inspired by the elegant shapes of Armenian bird letters. Soon afterward, they expanded their work to incorporate traditional Armenian ornaments and motifs.

"Tourists would often tell us, 'We want Armenian jewelry, but everything looks the same.' That sentence stayed with me," Karno recalls. "It inspired me to explore authentic Armenian ornamental traditions. We first drew inspiration from the embroidery patterns of Marash and Van, as well as the motifs found in Artsakh carpets. Today, most of our designs reinterpret historic ornaments from Western Armenia in a contemporary style."

Although the family brought exceptional craftsmanship to Armenia, they lacked the specialized tools and equipment needed to grow their business.

Then the exhibition changed everything.

Among the visitors was a representative of the Fund for Armenian Relief, who introduced the family to FAR's Small Business Assistance (SBA) Program.

"I applied and became one of the program's beneficiaries," says Lena Davoudyan, Karno's mother and a co-founder of Karni Jewellery alongside her husband and sons. "Through FAR's support, we were able to purchase all the equipment, tools, and initial raw materials we needed. It was tremendous help, and I will always be grateful."

With the right equipment and renewed confidence, Karni Jewellery continued to grow.

After overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the brand's distinctive collections found an increasingly loyal audience.

"We've reached a point where, if someone wants to take home a meaningful gift from Armenia, they think of Karni," Karno says. "Earning that trust took years of dedication."

For years, Karni Jewellery's collections were available through various retailers across Armenia. This year marked another milestone as the family opened their very first flagship store at Megamall Yerevan.

Customers can also purchase gold-plated or enamel sterling silver earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches online. Their collections are also featured on Hye Collective, an online marketplace for the U.S. market created through a FAR initiative, helping Armenian-made products reach customers around the world.

Karni Jewellery's relationship with FAR has continued to grow over the years. For almost 10 years, the family has been part of several FAR initiatives, highlighting the organization's long-term commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and supporting their growth and success.

Today, every Karni piece tells a story—not only of Armenia's rich artistic heritage, but also of resilience, renewal, and a family's determination to transform centuries-old traditions into designs that speak to a new generation.