Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85
The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
Leon V. Der Calousdian, the founder of Vahan Jewelry in New York City, died last month at age 85. His son Greg posted this photo to his online obituary with the caption, “On safari in South Africa. In his element, seeking adventure.”
New York—Leon V. Der Calousdian, the founder of Vahan Jewelry, died on Oct. 15 at the age of 85.
The jeweler, affectionately known as “Sacha,” died peacefully surrounded by family, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, according to an online obituary.
He was born on June 16, 1940, in Pau, France, to an Armenian family with a history in jewelry design.
His grandfather, Manasse Der Calousdian, established a luxury jewelry company in Paris in the 1880s, and his father Arsène Der Calousdian took it over in the 1930s, according to a profile on the family in Elite Traveler.
Manasse created diamond crowns for the Shah of Persia in 1906, while Arsène designed bespoke jewelry for European nobility, according to an obituary in InStore.
Sacha graduated from La Chambre Syndicale de la Bijouterie, a jewelry design school in Paris, and, Instore said, worked with Hermès early in his career.
In 1958, he moved to New York and later served in the U.S. Army.
He designed for David Webb among other prominent jewelers, and in 1968, he founded Alwand Vahan Jewelry in a small New York City studio.
He merged European artistry and American craftsmanship by using mixed metals and developed the signature “Moiré Beaded” texture, which was introduced in the 1990s and remains at the core of the brand’s offerings, particularly its stacking bracelets.
Sacha was a man of “boundless curiosity and refined taste,” his obituary said, and outside of his work with jewelry, he enjoyed restoring and racing British classic cars.
He loved to travel the world and drew inspiration globally from architecture, culture, and nature.
He was also a curator and collector who “saw beauty in every form of human creativity,” according to his obituary.
In addition to designing jewelry, he enjoyed sculpting and felt at home in the world of art.
Sacha was also a long-time member of the Larchmont Yacht Club, where he had many friends and enjoyed the thrill of racing an Etchells, a popular one-design sailboat racing class.
Sacha was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
His warmth, humor, and creativity touched all who knew him, his obituary said.
His legacy endures through his designs and his wife and sons who lead Vahan today, carrying his vision forward.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nathalie, his three children, Grégoire (“Greg”), Vanessa, and Cedric, as well as his grandsons Tristan, Sebastien, Leo, Nicolas, and Maxime.
A funeral Mass was held on Oct. 24 at St. Augustine Church in Larchmont, New York.
The jeweler, affectionately known as “Sacha,” died peacefully surrounded by family, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, according to an online obituary.
He was born on June 16, 1940, in Pau, France, to an Armenian family with a history in jewelry design.
His grandfather, Manasse Der Calousdian, established a luxury jewelry company in Paris in the 1880s, and his father Arsène Der Calousdian took it over in the 1930s, according to a profile on the family in Elite Traveler.
Manasse created diamond crowns for the Shah of Persia in 1906, while Arsène designed bespoke jewelry for European nobility, according to an obituary in InStore.
Sacha graduated from La Chambre Syndicale de la Bijouterie, a jewelry design school in Paris, and, Instore said, worked with Hermès early in his career.
In 1958, he moved to New York and later served in the U.S. Army.
He designed for David Webb among other prominent jewelers, and in 1968, he founded Alwand Vahan Jewelry in a small New York City studio.
He merged European artistry and American craftsmanship by using mixed metals and developed the signature “Moiré Beaded” texture, which was introduced in the 1990s and remains at the core of the brand’s offerings, particularly its stacking bracelets.
Sacha was a man of “boundless curiosity and refined taste,” his obituary said, and outside of his work with jewelry, he enjoyed restoring and racing British classic cars.
He loved to travel the world and drew inspiration globally from architecture, culture, and nature.
He was also a curator and collector who “saw beauty in every form of human creativity,” according to his obituary.
In addition to designing jewelry, he enjoyed sculpting and felt at home in the world of art.
Sacha was also a long-time member of the Larchmont Yacht Club, where he had many friends and enjoyed the thrill of racing an Etchells, a popular one-design sailboat racing class.
Sacha was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
His warmth, humor, and creativity touched all who knew him, his obituary said.
His legacy endures through his designs and his wife and sons who lead Vahan today, carrying his vision forward.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nathalie, his three children, Grégoire (“Greg”), Vanessa, and Cedric, as well as his grandsons Tristan, Sebastien, Leo, Nicolas, and Maxime.
A funeral Mass was held on Oct. 24 at St. Augustine Church in Larchmont, New York.
More on Majors
The Latest
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
