Ben-Amun: Egyptian Jewellery & Influence in Contemporary Design
Egyptian jewellery is one of the hottest trends of the season, and we are delighted to showcase one of our latest brands whose heritage and design are deeply rooted in Egyptian traditions. Luxuriously crafted, Ben-Amun jewellery offers a unique collection of Egyptian-inspired pieces, rich in color and striking in design. Loved by A-list celebrities and royalty alike, Ben-Amun’s exquisite creations captivate with their timeless elegance and cultural significance.
Ben-Amun by Isaac Manevitz is a fashion jewellery company based in the Garment District of New York City, known for its handcrafted, made-to-order jewellery that is created with unique materials from all over the world including Italian mosaics, Czech glass stones, and Austrian crystals. As all jewellery is made to order, their sustainable process ensures that no materials are wasted. This eco-friendly system is better for the planet and also better for customers, as it ensures that each piece is entirely unique and thoughtfully designed.
Designer and founder Isaac Manevitz is the son of a jeweller for the Egyptian royal court. Having learned Epytian jewellery techniques from his father, he began his journey in jewellery design. After immigrating to the United States and earning a Fine Arts degree from Brooklyn College in New York, he gained further knowledge working at jewellery companies such as Trifari, before deciding to create his own brand between 1979 and 1980.
Isaac’s Egyptian heritage has a great influence on his designs, often utilising dramatic shapes and high-contrast colours. Our Aperitivo collection, which features Ben-Amun necklaces and stacking bracelets, takes inspiration from ancient Egyptian mummy beads that feature bright, earthy-coloured beads strung and layered together. Cleopatra was known for wearing these mummy bead necklaces, layering together bold colours for a statement look.
The company’s name also hints at Isaac’s heritage, derived from the name of his first-born son, Ben, and the name of a historic Egyptian pharaoh: Tutankhamun. The ethnic flair of the brand is truly what sets it apart and makes every piece feel special.
Through each piece you can see the attention to detail and love of craft passed down from his father’s role in the Egyptian court, as well as a tendency to prefer rich golds and gemstone hues that hint at royalty. Inspired by ancient Egyptian art and hieroglyphics, his sculptures and jewellery alike are infused with geometric shapes that uniquely play with symmetry, as seen in Ben-Amun’s Pearl Earrings.
Ben-Amun has been known for exceptional craftsmanship around the world for over 40 years, featured in major fashion publications and worn by well-known celebrities including Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Kate Moss, Beyonce, Cate Blanchett, Hailey Bieber, and more. Ben-Amun gained major press recognition in 1989 after Jackie Kennedy wore a Ben-Amun cuff to a Kennedy Library dinner. The cuff was later auctioned at Sotheby’s for $29,000.
Designer Isaac Manevitz, a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America since the early 1980s, maintains an active role in creating both jewellery and abstract wooden sculptures at his New York City studio. He has collaborated with other notable CFDA members including Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta, and his jewellery has been worn for the runway shows of Jonathan Simkhai, Veronica Beard, and more. In 2008, Manevitz received a certificate of Esteemed Member signed by former council chairwoman Diane von Furstenberg. In May of this year, Ben-Amun received the E Award for excellence in exporting from the U.S. government. Ben-Amun is one of only 30 U.S. entities who received the award this year, representing the state of New York in Washington D.C.
All of Ben-Amun’s jewellery is made with the intention to create statement pieces that are wearable every day but can transcend generations, eventually passed down as an heirloom treasure. With this intention in mind, we also keep sustainability a priority in order to one day also pass the planet down to the next generation—perhaps even better than we found it. We ensure that all materials are toxin-free and extra metals are always reused to help make something beautiful for the next customer. With no stock jewellery in our studio, all of our jewellery is specifically made to our customers’ specifications before being shipped, so they always receive exactly what they need.
Ben-Amun Jewellery is always looking for modern ways of incorporating classic designs and exploring new materials and techniques. Our design team is excited to incorporate more natural elements in upcoming collections to create jewellery that is not only strikingly earthy but also easily wearable every day. With nearly 45 years of experience behind our brand, the future holds many more collections we cannot wait to share with our customers around the globe.
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Words: Ben-Amun Jewellery