When the Gem Hunter, Ron LeBlanc, was on the trail for a jeweller to set an exceptional 33-carat zesty green peridot in a ring for his wife, he made a beeline to Solitaire x Alex Armen in Toronto. He trusted this was the place to bring his vision of a richly detailed, intricately crafted warrior woman-inspired jewel to life.
He was not disappointed—Solitaire x Alex Armen excelled, demonstrating their mastery in the bespoke jewellery niche. Dedicated almost exclusively to custom commissions, the house has built a stellar reputation in this high-end field. Designer Alex Armen collaborates with his brother Arbi to create jewels that few others could attempt. The warrior woman piece exemplified generations of knowledge and experience: a seamless blend of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.
Whether it’s a dainty diamond solitaire engagement ring imbued with symbolism or an elaborately decorated ceremonial bell commissioned by the Buddhist Society of Canada for a London temple, Solitaire x Alex Armen prides itself on making dreams a reality.
As an early adopter of computer-assisted design and modelling technology, the firm has refined and modernised the ancient art of custom jewellery. While one-of-a-kind designs are inherently a luxury, the small, agile team makes customization viable, transparent, and enjoyable by mastering both timeless craft and cutting-edge technology.
"Quality is everything, and we can laser-focus on each jewel," explains artistic director and designer Alex Armen. Dedicated to making each jewel just right, the brothers care deeply about both the sentimental and technical aspects of every piece. Comfort, resilience, and the wearer’s lifestyle are all considered before the team begins, combining time-honoured handmade skills such as filing, sawing, polishing, gem-setting, with state-of-the-art technology.
Arbi explains, “We are passionate about what we do; we want clients for life. This is a trusted place where you never feel like just a number. Clients tell us they choose us because they can work directly with Alex, which is unique and essential when creating wearable art.”
When a client visits Solitaire x Alex Armen, the process begins with attentive listening. Once a concept is agreed upon, the jewel never leaves the premises during the 2–4 weeks dedicated to its creation, as the duo meticulously crafts it from scratch.
Arbi, who runs the business, also sources gemstones. True to the house’s mission, quality is paramount, starting with the raw materials. Maintaining relationships with suppliers around the world, many of whom worked with their father, the brothers insist on top grades for both diamonds and colour gemstones. Diamonds are sourced from trusted dealers, and Arbi cherry picks a selection that meets the criteria, allowing the client to be involved in choosing the final stone.
Colour gems often come from Idar-Oberstein, Germany, renowned for world-class gem selection and cutting. Arbi works with cutters who, like the brothers, are part of generations-old family businesses with shared values. These close relationships and deep trust allow Arbi to trace the origin of each stone and often pay a premium for custom cuts.
Despite their positioning at the top of the jewellery craftsmanship pyramid, if you open the door to Solitaire x Alex Armen’s studio, don’t expect thick plush carpets and waxed wood panelling. Alex and Arbi bring their fresh energy and cool vibe to their work, and the studio is an all-black functional space with a contemporary art-house edge that reflects their Toronto roots.
But it wasn’t always this way. Solitaire has gone through two distinct phases that have shaped the business's unique nature. When Vartan Khanjian established the jewellery business in Toronto in 1983, it was dedicated to producing jewellery for leading retailers, continuing in the vein of Toronto’s historic jewellery tradition.
Years of working behind the scenes of the jewellery industry, manufacturing multiple designs to high specifications, large volumes and strict cost controls, gave the company a solid grounding in the nuts and bolts of the business. By 1992, in tune with shifts in consumer preferences, Solitaire took a bold move and terminated its commitments to third-party manufacturing to dedicate itself to purely bespoke work.
By trading quantity for quality, Solitaire transformed into Solitaire x Alex Armen, seeking total freedom and control over every stage of the process, from smelting the gold, to design, casting, and final polishing. This unique symbiosis created what the brothers call a “sanctuary for creativity,” enabling artistic freedom to flourish and allowing the master jeweller to focus on perfecting each detail, from intricate gem settings to the final polish.
The brothers are adding a new dimension to their offering with made to order jewels for men and women in a bolder, more adventurous style, including chunky silver designs. These are available on their online boutique.
The story of Solitaire x Alex Armen is, above all, a testament to a family business with deeply rooted human values. For over 43 years, the brothers have made it their mission to transform personal stories and aspirations into extraordinary jewels that will be cherished for generations.
