Before he knew how to add or subtract, Kirk Kara was learning the jewelry trade at his father’s knee. In a cramped workshop in Kibbutz Na’an in the center of Israel, he mastered the tools and techniques that had been passed down through three generations of his family. The young designer completed his apprenticeship under the watchful eye of his father and then moved to America to establish his own business.

Most of his early creations were inspired by his family. His popular Angelique Collection was named after his mother and influenced stylistically by her affinity for elegant vintage jewelry. He also named a collection of wedding bands for men after his father, Artin. In fact, all Kirk Kara engagement rings are designed to celebrate the family—past, present and future. His designs range from classic and traditional to fresh and contemporary.

After decades of designing jewelry the old-fashioned way, Kirk Kara was encouraged to move into the modern era by his two young daughters, Angela and Grace. Both girls had learned the tools of the trade at an early age and had a passion for the jewelry industry. But they had grown increasingly disenchanted with the style options available to younger brides. At the time, most of the top jewelry makers focused on vintage designs, which meant that girls their age could not find jewelry with the same quality and craftsmanship that their father designed.

Inspired by his daughter’s creative instincts and insights, the master jeweler worked closely with them to develop a new line of jewelry for the modern bride. In addition to Kirk Kara engagement rings, they also created matching wedding bands and fashion sets to complement each collection. The designs were stylish, comfortable and colorful.

As a traditional designer, Kirk Kara was hesitant to break the age-old edict that says that only diamonds can be used in engagement rings. But when his daughters assured him that younger brides preferred a bit of color, he gave them the green light to experiment with other precious stones. Based on the distinctive color combination, they choose to include true blue sapphires in many of their new designs.

Angela and Grace have helped turn a small jewelry studio into a nationally known and respected brand. Kirk Kara engagement rings now regularly appear in the pages of bestselling bridal magazines and on the fingers of Hollywood celebrities. By infusing vintage designs with modern flair, Kirk Kara has stepped into the modern era and become a major player in the growing bridal jewelry industry.