Vartkess Knadjian comes from a lineage steeped in history. He is the son of the official watchmaker to the Imperial Court of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and a direct descendant of King Solomon and Queen Makeda, better known as the Queen of Sheba. With such a distinguished heritage, it’s no surprise that Vartkess has a natural affinity for history. Since 1976, he has served as the CEO of Backes & Strauss, one of the oldest diamond companies in existence. Under his leadership, the company has risen to prominence as a major player in the international diamond industry.
Backes & Strauss is a renowned English company specializing in the design and production of high-end timepieces and jewelry. Established in 1789 in Hanau, Germany, it holds the distinction of being the oldest diamond company in the world. To put its long history into perspective, when Backes & Strauss was founded, George Washington had just been elected as the first President of the United States, and the French Revolution had begun with the fall of the Bastille. The company’s London office was opened in 1814, and its hallmark was officially registered at Goldsmith’s Hall in London in 1878.
