Garo Tutunjian

Garo Tutunjian

THE JEWELERS' JEWELER - Garo Tutunjian was born in the Armenian Quarter of Jersualem, during the time of World War II. Rather than pursue a formal education, he was asked to work at the age of eight to support his family. His uncle taught him the skills of jewelry design. At a young age, he learned everything there was to know about the trade - to wax, cast, set stones and work with customers, and to present them with a finished product. Garo had the opportunity to come to America as a young man. He started work in Beverly Hills, California, at Kazanjian Jewelers and then Hand of Gold Original, where his professional skills, creative style and artistic talents were first recognized by members of the movie industry. It was there that he won his first award: The International Diamond Award for a piece called "Stained Glass Windows." The next step in his professional journey was to Los Angeles. There he created mountings and jewelry for a great number of jewelry companies, including The Hawaiian Pearl Divers and Orange Blossom Wedding Bands. At this time, he traveled to Palm Springs to deliver his creations to local jewelers. The local businesses loved his work, and he fell in love with Palm Springs. It was a bond with his new community, which would endure for the rest of his life. Once he moved to Palm Springs, he opened a jewelry factory at Sun Center and began working with Bullocks Wilshire, Saks Fifth Avenue, Andrea Howard, Leeds & Son, Robann's, Gucci, Cartier, and many others. At this time, he earned the nickname of "The Jewelers' Jeweler," since his work was highly sought after by so many of these exclusive retailers. It was there that he fell in love with and married his wife Jacci, with whom in 1976, he opened his own store on Palm Canyon Drive. Garo became Palm Springs' first wholesale jeweler, who sold to the public. The public welcomed him by supporting his business for the next forty-five years. Smoke Tree Jewelers remains a fixture of the Palm Springs community. Not content with simply becoming a successful jeweler and businessman, Garo gave back to his adopted country and to his community. He donated his art work to many charities and designed the logo for the Stroke Center. He was also commissioned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to design special cultural pieces of jewelry to auction off at their annual gala. These stunning pieces were of museum quality. One would not know by meeting this humble man that he designed for and became close personal friends with a panoply of celebrities, including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Zeppo Marx, Barry Gibb, Alice Faye, Phil Harris, and Mousie Powell, among many others. His favorite celebrity client and friend was Bob Hope, who endearingly called him "The Bandito" and would come in regularly to have pieces custom made for his wife. Garo Tutunjian was a legend and an icon in the jewelry world. He brought design to new heights, and his method of creation and passion is becoming a lost art. His presence will be missed by his colleagues, his customers, his friends and his family. He is survived by his loving wife Jacci Bianco Tutunjian, his daughters: Ani Tutunjian-Khachian, Farrah Jenner and Marisa Tutunjian-Lubas. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Charlie, Christian and John Khachian, Gianna and JJ Lubas and Owen Jenner. A celebration of Garo's life will be held at the Hilton Palm Springs, 400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, on Sunday, October 18th at 1 p.m. Garo was an active member and Godfather of the Armenian Church of the Desert. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Garo Tutunjian can be made to the Armenian Church of the Desert, mailing address 38900 Vista Dunes, Rancho Mirage, California 92270.

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