Pioneer in the industrial production of synthetic crystals
Born march 29 1880 in Constantinople, died november 24 1947 in Monthey, former student of the Mekhitarist College in Venice.
Lapidary and gemstone merchant in Paris, Hrand was a pioneer in the industrial production of synthetic crystals. In 1914, he moved to Monthey, where he found the energy he needed (gas, water, electricity) to power Auguste Verneuil’s chalumeaux (1892) used to manufacture synthetic stones, replacing the natural rubies used in watchmaking. The same year, he founded Industrie de pierres scientifiques Hrand Djevahirdjian SA, of which he was Chairman of the Board from 1924 until his death.
In 1947, when Hrand Djevahirdjian died, his nephew Vahan took over the business, followed by his daughter in 1992. In the 1960s, the Valais factory supplied the first special rubies for lasers.
