About the Designer
Hi everyone! I am John.
John Apelian is the award-winning designer and master craftsman of John Apel. John designs and creates a unique and broad range of luxury fine jewelry from timeless classics to signature pieces showcasing the finest craftsmanship in the industry for the past 45 years.
When you see a gemstone with light dancing in it set perfectly in lustrous gold, it is hypnotizing
– John Apelian
A master jeweler himself, John leads a team of craftsmen to ensure each piece is comfortable to wear and of heirloom quality. Color stones have always been John’s passion, certainly related to his desire to oil paint. His thirst for color drove him to study gemstones and the art of cutting them. After accumulating a wealth of knowledge on the topic, he began cutting gemstones as a hobby to better understand the characteristics of perfect gemstone material and faceting. Color pairings come naturally to John, and he enjoys making both striking and complimentary pairings that enable the wearer to express themselves completely.
John is infamous for saying “jewelry should complement a woman’s beauty without overpowering it” and every piece embodies this philosophy. Our mission is to create jewelry that radiates the personality of its wearer, eliciting an emotion each time it is put on. Every John Apel piece strives to strike this balance through our expert craftsmanship and is made entirely in our atelier in the heart of New York City. In 2011, John’s son Alex joined the company and the design-duo both inspire and challenge one other to continue pushing boundaries in jewelry design.
John Apel’s devoted customers appreciate the images of nature, the vivid gemstones, and the impeccable craftsmanship of the designs. Most of all, they love the wearability of John Apel Jewelry, which beautifully accessorizes every fashion style.
John’s pioneering signature style, first introduced over 30 years ago, incorporates rose-cut and full-cut diamonds with recycled metals, creating delicate works of art, a blend of old and new, birthing an entirely new category of jewelry.
Throughout each stage of design, I think about the woman who will wear my jewelry. My challenge is to create pieces that complement a woman’s beauty, not overpower it.