Handcrafted Jewellery and Design

In Turkish, decorative objects made of precious metals and gems are called kuyum (jewels) and the act of producing these is called kuyumculuk (jewelry). It is a known historical fact that the Sumerians were processing gold and silver in the province of Ur in Mesopotamia in 4000-3500 BC. Ancient Turks have also improved significantly in the art of jewelry, especially in fine casting. During the Ottoman era, the art and business of jewelry was performed twofold; within the imperial palace and outside. The jewelers who worked within the palace were a member of the Ehl-i hiref (craftsman) organization. The group working on gold was called  zergerân, the ones doing golden inlaying on jade, metal and pebble were the  zernişâni, the ones dressing and embroidering stones were the  hakkâkân, and those who foiled rocks were the foyagers. Ottoman jewelry consisted of beautiful decorative objects such as Koran covers, swords, rosaries, censers, rose water flasks, cribs, harnesses and also of many accessories that included ospreys, hair bands, necklaces, pins, crowns, earrings, chains, watches, shackles, belt buckles, etc. Kapalıçarşı has always been the jewelry center of Istanbul. Starting from the 18th century, jewelry of the palace has lost its glamour in parallel with the economical problems that rose in the Empire.