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Mouawad
Company typePrivate
IndustryRetail
Founded1890;134 years ago(1890)
HeadquartersDubai,Geneva
Key people
Robert Mouawad,Fred Mouawad,Alain Mouawad,Pascal MouawadandJimmy Mouawad
ProductsJewelry,watches
Number of employees
500+ (2013)
Websitewww.mouawad

Mouawadis a family-owned international company of Lebanese origin that makes and sells jewelry, objects of art, and luxury watches.[1]The firm has headquarters inGeneva,Switzerland,with aMiddle Eastheadquarters atJumeirah Lakes TowersinDubai,as well as locations inThailand,Malaysia,Singapore,and theUnited States.[2]Founded in 1891 inBeirut,Lebanonby David Mouawad,[3]the firm is now led by 4th generation co-guardiansFred Mouawad,[4][5]Alain Mouawad and Pascal Mouawad.[6][7]

History[edit]

First generation[edit]

The Mouawad Company and brand began with David Mouawad (1865–1951) who spent more than two decades inNew York CityandMexicolearning the craft of watchmaker, goldsmith, and jeweler before returning toBeirutin 1891. He opened a small shop inBeirutin 1908 where he combined the trade of watch and jewelry repairs, with his passion for creating intricate clocks and fashioning one-of-a-kind pieces commissioned by wealthy clients.[7][8]

Second generation[edit]

His son Fayez Mouawad (1917–1990) expanded the business in the 1950s when he moved toSaudi Arabia.[9]He was able to capitalize on theMiddle East'sincreased oil wealth by making personalized jewelry for people in the area.[10]

Third generation[edit]

The firm moved into the European and worldwide market under Fayez's son, Robert Mouawad. He had initially studied inEuropeto become a doctor, but returned after being convinced by his father to join the family business. He started as a salesman with Mouawad in order to learn the business from the ground up, later entering into an agreement with his father to take over the business as the sole president. In the early 1970s, Robert moved the headquarters toGeneva,Switzerland.

He took many risks with the firm by purchasing some of the world's largest diamonds. He expanded the brand intoEurope,Asia,andNorth Americaand began producing watches in the early 1990s. He's also contributed to jewelry education and research through support of theGemological Institute of Americawhose campus inCarlsbad, Californiais named in his honor.[11]

Robert Mouawad acquired a historical residence inBeirut,Lebanonto host his collections of fine arts and antique pieces, and in 2006 established theRobert Mouawad Private Museumfor his collections of books, ceramics, architectural elements, pottery, ancient weapons, carpets, jewelry,objets d'artand rare precious stones.[12]

Fourth generation[edit]

In 2010, Robert Mouawad left the firm to focus on his real estate group, the Robert Mouawad Foundation, and his museum. He officially retired on January 1, 2010, and the company was then led by his sonsFred Mouawadand Pascal Mouawad.[13][14]Alain Mouawad joined to head up the watch division in January 2013.[15]

Generations of the Mouawad Family
  • David Mouawad
    David Mouawad
  • Fayez Mouawad
    Fayez Mouawad
  • Robert Mouawad
    Robert Mouawad
  • Alain, Fred & Pascal Mouawad
    Alain, Fred & Pascal Mouawad

Diamond collection[edit]

The Ahmedabad diamond
Indore Pears diamonds
The Mouawad Liliac diamond

Diamonds owned by the Mouawad family include the Ahmedabad which is a pear shaped diamond that weighs 78.86 carats with a D-VS1 Grade.[citation needed]

Mouawad is the owner of the Indore Pears which are linked to the Malabar Hill Murder. In January 1925, armed men attacked a car inBombaywhich was being driven by an official of the Bombay Corporation. The passenger in the vehicle was a young Muslim woman who was the subject of the attack. The official was killed and four British officers came to the aid of the woman. Robbery was not the motive for this crime as the young woman was believed to be a dancer at the Court ofTukoji Rao III.The woman escaped from being a concubine and the murder was believed to be retaliation. The diamonds were purchased several times throughout the years until they were purchased by Robert Mouawad in 1987.[16][non-primary source needed]

The Queen of Holland diamond (it:Regina d'Olanda) is another in the Mouawad collection. Its origin is unknown; however, it was believed to have been brought fromSouth Africato theNetherlands.It was first cut in 1904 by F. Freidman & Co. who made it a cushion-cut and named it afterQueen Wihelmina of the Netherlands,which is incorrectly referred to as Holland. The diamond was re-cut sometime after the 1960s into its current weight of 135.92 carats. It is judged to be internally flawless and 'D' color by theGemological Institute of America.[17]This diamond was also formerly owned byWilliam Goldberg.[citation needed]

Mouawad is the owner of theJubilee Diamond.The Jubilee Diamond was known as the Reitz Diamond and is a colourless, cushion-shaped diamond weighing 245.35 carats (49.07 grams). It is the sixth-largest diamond in the world and originally named afterFrancis William Reitzwho was the president of theOrange Free Stateat the time the diamond was discovered in the area.[18]The Jubilee is the largest diamond in the Mouawad collection.[19]

The Mouawad Lilac is estimated to be worth $20M (USD) and weighs 24.44 carat. It is an emerald cut pink diamond that is so saturated with color that it gives off a purplish, almost maroon, hue.[citation needed]

Guinness World Records[edit]

The Mouawad Splendor diamond

Mouawad has fiveGuinness World Records: The most valuable jewellery coffer in the world — the Flower of Eternity Jewellery Coffer ($3.5M),[20]the most valuable necklace in the world ($55M) — the Mouawad L’Incomparable Diamond Necklace featuring the world's largest internally flawless diamond, the Incomparable diamond (407.48 carats).[21] The most valuable handbag in the world—the Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse ($3.8M).[22]

References[edit]

  1. ^"First look: Johnny Wujek and Pascal Mouawad's jewelry collab".20 November 2013.Retrieved20 November2013.
  2. ^"Synergia One Group of Companies".
  3. ^David, Robert Mouawad Website."David Mouawad".Retrieved8 August2014.
  4. ^"Mouawad a Story of Excellence - Prestige Magazine".Prestige Magazine.2017-03-02.Retrieved2017-03-07.
  5. ^FredMoauwad, Fred Mouawad Website."Fred Mouawad".Retrieved8 August2014.
  6. ^PascalMoauwad, Pascal Mouawad Website."Pascal Mouawad".Retrieved8 August2014.
  7. ^abAbout Mouawad, Mouawad Company Website."Our Story".Retrieved7 April2013.
  8. ^"The Mouawad Magic".Retrieved26 March2012.
  9. ^"Christies Jewelry Guide".Retrieved26 March2012.
  10. ^"About Us".Retrieved7 April2013.
  11. ^"Campus Overview".Gemological Institute of America.Retrieved7 April2013.
  12. ^"A New Cultural Conception".Retrieved7 April2013.
  13. ^Middle East Media LLC."Robert Mouawad announces his retirement from the Mouawad Jewellery Group".Retrieved26 March2012.
  14. ^Arab News."A New Era For Mouawad".Retrieved26 March2012.
  15. ^"Alain Mouawad new Guardian of Mouawad Watch".saudigazette.30 January 2013.Retrieved13 April2023.
  16. ^Moawad Company Site."Mouawad Diamond Collection: Indore Pears".Retrieved5 April2012.
  17. ^Antique Jewelry History."Queen of Holland".Retrieved5 April2012.
  18. ^Encyclopædia Britannica."Jubilee diamond (gem)".Retrieved5 April2012.
  19. ^Mouawad Diamond Collection."Jubilee Diamond".Retrieved5 April2012.
  20. ^"World's most valuable jewellery box valued at $3.5m unveiled in Qatar".Retrieved22 February2017.
  21. ^"The most valuable necklace in the world ($55M) — the Mouawad L'Incomparable Diamond Necklace".Retrieved10 July2014.
  22. ^"The most valuable handbag in the world—the Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse ($3.8M)".Retrieved10 July2014.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mouawad&oldid=1192709403"