“Here’s What Think!” is a newsletter series that poses the same set of questions to a variety of WDC members, to elicit their thoughts, memories and opinions on a variety of topics concerning themselves, their attitude about diamonds and the diamond industry, the World Diamond Council and the capacity of natural diamonds to play a positive role in countries and markets where they mined, marketed and purchased.
OCTOBER 15, 2025
Heritage and reinvention
As the third generation of the Arslanian diamond dynasty, Sahag Arslanian carries forward a legacy that began almost 75 years ago with his grandfather.
After he joined the family’s business in 2013, Sahag was tasked with enhancing its diamond operations. He co-founded the Arslanian Group NV in Antwerp to continue to grow the family’s global presence, eventually rising to Chief Financial Officer and then Managing Director in 2019. Under his stewardship, the company has expanded globally.
High-end end colored diamond jewelry is a more recent venture. Its debut collection aimed for the stars, drawing inspiration from the celestial world, which Sahag says is a fitting universe for the rarity and beauty of such rare stones.
He also has been deeply involved in the public life of the industry, serving as vice president of both the Antwerp World Diamond Center (AWDC) the Armenian Jeweller Association (AJA).
What makes the diamond special?
What makes diamonds so special is that they are the only material on earth that truly carries both time and emotion.
As a family of diamantaires for three generations, we’ve seen how every diamond tells two stories. One is written by nature over billions of years, and the other is written by human hands — revealing the craft, the eye, and the courage to reveal its beauty without ever knowing exactly what lies inside.
That mystery…that dialogue between the earth and the artisan is what makes diamonds endlessly fascinating to me.
What makes the diamond industry special?
I believe that it’s its ability to evolve without losing its soul is what makes our industry unique. It’s one of the oldest global trades, yet today it’s leading important conversations about transparency, ethics, and sustainability.
I find it inspiring that we can preserve centuries of craftsmanship while also reinventing what luxury and responsibility mean for the next generation.
What makes your company so special?
What makes our company different is that it is driven both by its heritage and by its desire for reinvention. After three generations dedicated to the diamond trade, I wanted to express that type of expertise in its most emotional form — jewelry.
We use only responsibly sourced diamonds and collaborate with exceptional European artisans. Every piece we create reflects not only technical mastery but a philosophy — that true luxury must be meaningful, transparent and enduring.
A necklace from Arslanian’s Celestial Radiance fancy color diamond collection.
Describe the first time you held and studied a diamond?
My family has been in the diamond business for generations, so I saw my first diamonds at a very young age — both rough and cut. I remember being fascinated by the transformation— how something raw and mysterious could become so luminous.
What struck me most was the care and precision it takes to reveal that beauty — the patience, the respect for the stone, the constant balance between loss and perfection.
That sense of wonder has never left me.
Who is your role model?
My role models are the two generations of Arslanians who built the business before me. They created a company founded on trust, integrity and expertise — values that still guide me every day.
I deeply admire how they built something lasting in an ever-changing industry, and I’m proud to carry that legacy forward through jewelry, adding creativity and emotion to the foundation they established.
What convinced you to pursue a career in the diamond industry?
I was born into the diamond world — it’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember. But what convinced me to pursue it as a career was realizing how complex and human this industry truly is.
From the art of sourcing rough stones to the science of cutting and the emotion of presenting a finished jewel, every step requires expertise, instinct and integrity.
Growing up surrounded by it all, I understood that this wasn’t just a family business — it was a lifelong craft I wanted to master and evolve.
Earrings from Arslanian’s Lunar Eclipse fancy color diamond collection.
What problems did you encounter as a newcomer to the industry?
Even though I come from a family with a long history in diamonds, starting something of my own — especially in jewelry — meant stepping into a world where relationships and trust are built over time.
The jewelry industry can be quite closed, and credibility isn’t inherited. You have to earn it.
My challenge was to stay true to my values — transparency, creativity, responsibility — while finding my place and proving that heritage can also mean evolution.
What are the most important things to take into account when guaranteeing the integrity of the diamond industry’s supply chain?
Integrity begins with transparency — knowing exactly where each diamond comes from and ensuring that every hand it passes through shares the same values of ethics and respect.
But beyond traceability, it’s about mindset. The supply chain must reflect the same care and precision we apply to cutting a diamond. There are no shortcuts, and no compromises.
True luxury isn’t just about beauty; it’s about trust, and that trust is earned every step of the way.
Can diamonds be a force for good? How?
I believe diamonds already are a force for good — not just economically, but emotionally. They connect people across generations, mark life’s milestones, and carry personal stories that last forever. And, when sourced and crafted responsibly, they also tell a collective story — one of human skill, respect for nature, and shared values.
To me, a diamond’s true brilliance comes from that combination of beauty and purpose.
A necklace from Arslanian’s Sun Rays fancy color diamond collection.
Why did you join the World Diamond Council?
I joined the World Diamond Council because I believe in being part of the solution. As a third-generation diamantaire, I’ve inherited not just a business, but a responsibility — to ensure that the diamond industry continues to evolve with transparency, integrity and unity.
The WDC plays a crucial role in shaping that future, and I want to contribute to the dialogue that keeps our industry both ethical and inspiring.
If you weren’t in the industry, what would you like to do instead?
Even outside this industry, I think I’d still be doing something that connects tradition and modernity. That’s what inspires me — taking something with deep roots and reinterpreting it for today.
Whether through art, business, or design, that’s the creative dialogue I’m most passionate about.