Martin Rapaport Among Recipients of Jewelers 24 Karat Club Honors

The Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will present awards to Martin Rapaport, Douglas Kazanjian and Carl Larson for their contributions to the industry. 

Later this year, the group will give the Lifetime Achievement Award to Rapaport, founder and chairman of the Rapaport Group, for his advocacy in creating an ethical, transparent, competitive and efficient diamond market, it said recently. The organization will bestow the honors at its 80th gala dinner, which will take place on September 24 in Los Angeles. 

The Jewelers 24 Karat Club will grant the Excellence in Service Award to Kazanjian, CEO of estate jeweler Kazanjian Beverly Hills. In 2007, he helped uncover one of the most historically significant diamond finds — a red stone weighing 5.05 carats. Through his foundation, Kazanjian donated the world’s four largest sapphires, carved into busts of US presidents, for display in the Oval Office. He is actively involved in industry trade groups and gives lectures on estate jewelry and gemstones to organizations around the country, the club noted. 

Meanwhile, the group will present the Rising Star Award to Larson, director of gems at colored-stone specialist Pala International. In 2023, Larson won the AGTA Spectrum Award for jewelry design. He is well-known in the industry as a go-to dealer and broker, the organization explained.  

 “I am thrilled to continue the tradition and legacy of our annual awards gala into its 80th year,” said club president Kimberly Overlin. “Our members and longtime attendees of this event are in for an amazing evening of networking, recognition and entertainment.”  

Image: Martin Rapaport, Douglas Kazanjian and Carl Larson (l to r). (Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California)