Armeny Custom Jewelry Design Gives Pearl Earrings to Every Farmington High School Graduate

All Farmington High School girls in the Class of 2013 received something special besides their diplomas at their commencement ceremony.

“We gave to all the graduating girls a pair of pearl earrings,” said Hasmik Semerjian, whose brother, Armen Manukyan owns Armeny Custom Jewelry Design in West Hartford Center.

Semerjian said that her brother came up with the idea to give the girls “a good memory of their little Farmington hometown.”

This marked the third year the jewelry store has done so. 

This year, the jewelry store gave out 153 pairs of simple, classic Hawaiian fresh water pearl earrings in lavender, white and peach shades. It was particularly significant to her this time because Semerjian’s daughter, Ani was one of the graduates. Ani, who helps out as needed at the jewelry store, is headed to Northeastern University in the fall. 

“It was a little more special because she was graduating,” she said.

Semerjian and Manukyan came to the United States from Armenia, where Manukyan first became a jeweler and studied engineering. He has been designing jewelry for 20 years. He opened his West Hartford store in 2009. His engineering background comes into play when he designs the jewelry. While he has a traditional style, he uses computer-generated pictures to plan his designs. 

Semerjian said she and her family have lived in Farmington since 1997.

Armeny Custom Jewelry Design is located at 995 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford and can be reached at 860-232-3200.

Will the tradition of the pearls for the FHS girls continue in future graduations?

“That is our plan,” Semerjian said.