DURGHAM ALAHMAR
Founding Father
In the mid-1970s, at the age of 21, our founder, Durgham Alahmar, embarked on his journey in the jewelry industry as a traditional bench goldsmith. This endeavor was born out of a commitment to support his family following the passing of his father.
During a time when Old Damascus was the central hub for gold and jewelry in the region, Mr. Alahmar's dedication to his craft, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering drive to succeed quickly garnered local and regional acclaim for his work. Demonstrating a pioneering spirit, particularly with the rise of the invisible-set diamond trend in the Middle East, Mr. Alahmar took a significant step by bringing master artisans and craftsmen from Thailand.
This initiative positioned him as the first – and for a considerable time, the sole – jeweler in the region to meet the demand for locally crafted invisible-set jewelry. His exceptional creations soon captured the attention of the region's elite, establishing him as a distinguished entrepreneur in the Levant. Over time, the four-story atelier nestled within an old French-architecture building on 'Almasbak Aljouani' street in the heart of old Damascus expanded its reach. It began supplying masterpiece creations to Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, leading to the esteemed family name 'ALAHMAR' becoming synonymous with exceptional jewelry.
This rapid growth continued until 2011 when the unfortunate outbreak of the Syrian civil war brought it to an abrupt halt, forcing the family into diaspora and marking the beginning of a new chapter for ALAHMAR.
“I firmly believe that the intricate details of any artwork are not merely supplementary elements, but rather the very essence of the piece itself. If our work doesn't exhibit flawless articulation and aesthetic appeal even at the smallest level, it ultimately falls short of its full artistic potential. Whether you consider it the X factor, the butterfly effect, or simply my own perfectionist nature, I am convinced that meticulous attention to detail throughout the entire creative process, from the initial concept to the final touches, is of paramount importance." Says Durgham.