Sami Zeira Israeli jewelry designer Sami Zeira creates 22-karat gold and diamond jewelry. His signature pieces comprise a contemporary line of jewelry in which he valiantly applies the ancient technique of granulation influenced by the Classical Period. The petite gold balls used in granulation require extraordinary patience in order to create precise designs. Zeira weaves the past with the present by granulating modern jewelry with this ancient technique, giving his stately pieces a majestic, velvety feel. Sami established his company in 2000, a few years after a visit to the beautiful Greek Isle of Santorini where he observed the beauty, skill and mastery of local Greek goldsmiths. Sami applied his experiences to intensive training in the classical techniques of jewelry making at the renowned Jewelry Arts Institute. Sami also studied with the highly regarded Dutch-born jewelry model maker Fred de Vos. With de Vos, he learned how to create precise geometric shapes and unique organic wax forms that could be cast in gold and fused with granules. Sami's jewelry line is elegant and stunning. One of the finest pieces in his collection is a pair of delicately crafted, drop earrings, with an ornamentation of gold granules covering the egg-shaped surface, gracefully accented with faceted, round diamonds. Sami also developed a white gold alloy to fuse his signature gold granules. The combination has produced dramatic pieces featuring a striking color contrast in the yellow-on-white gold jewelry. Sami's style can be seen even in the way he proposed to his wife, Leah, in December 2006. After inviting his closest friends and family to his studio opening, Sami surprised her with a dramatic piece of jewelry, a breathtaking multi-colored sapphire ring created just for her finger. Over the past few years Sami has made his collection available to the public at galleries in New York, Colorado, California and Florida. Leah's engagement ring, however, cannot be found in any gallery. (Sami Zeira's Work)