The Armenian Jewelers Association celebrated its Fourth Annual Dinner gala on Feb. 14, 2003, at the Regal Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The black-tie event drew more than 450 attendees including jewelers and designers as well as representatives from JCK and National Jeweler magazines. Others in attendance included Congresswoman Lucille Roybal Allerd of the 34th District of California; U.S. Federal Judge Dickran Tevrizian of the Central District of California; Troy Edwards, Deputy Mayor for the City of Los Angeles; Sheriff Lee Bacca of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department; Monica Colby, Women’s Jewelry Association; David Marcus, president of the Diamond Club, West Coast; and Raul Parich of the Indian Diamond and Colored Stones Association.

The following individuals were honored for their innovative designs and their contributions to the industry as a whole: Ruben Hagopian, founder of the Zackre Enhancement Turquoise; Haigaram Arakelian; Jean Dadanian, president of Paris Designs; Krikor Krikorian, owner of K & K Design; Toros H. and Toros Z. Kejeian, co-founders of Tycoon Jewelry.

Deputy Mayor Troy Edwards presented Chairman Sarkis A. Kitsinian with a proclamation from James Hahn, the mayor of Los Angeles, congratulating him on the continued success of the organization.