The Australian jewellery industry is mourning the loss of one of its best known and most respected sons – Isa Atakliyan from Isaac Jewellery.
Isa began his career in the Australian jewellery industry in 1980 handmaking gold chains with his brother Aram in their then newly established business – ABJ (Atakliyan Brothers Jewellers).
During the next 20-plus years the company’s product offering grew to include over 1000 gold chains, bracelets and bangles.
Despite such success, at the beginning of 2006, the brothers decided to form two separate companies: Aram opened ADJ and Isa established Isaac Jewellery with his wife Annet.
Speaking to Jewellery World in August last year, Isa said the decision to form separate companies has been extremely positive as the brothers retained their close family bond but had become friendly competitors as well.
“It gave me the opportunity to create a totally different business with my wife Annet,” he said.
Today Isaac Jewellery hand manufactures over 500 chain designs as well as an extensive range of bangles, bracelets, pendants, rings, beads and earrings in gold and sterling silver.
The company’s products are stocked in “most jewellery stores around Australia” and are exported to New Zealand and England.
Isa’s funeral at the Armenian Apostolic Church in Sydney’s Chatswood was attended by family and friends as well as many members of the Australian jewellery industry including JAA CEO Ian Hadassin, Showcase Jewellers CEO Michael Mishevski, Sam’s Watchmakers Jewellers owner Sam Der Bedrossian and Saffo Jewellery owner Sammy Saffo.
Isa is survived by his wife Annet and three children (Caroline, Alex and Sydney).
Annet said the “business is running as usual” and any customers with questions should phone the office on (02) 9262 5454.