Iranian Jewelry Designer

Reza Mahmoudi, a gemologist (expert in gemstones), jewelry designer in the traditional-modern style, and founder of Torse, was born in 1982 in Tehran, Iran. In 1993, at the age of twelve, he began learning marquetry and inlay work (Khatam Kari) under the guidance of Master Salahuddin Allamehzadeh. Four years later, while continuing his studies in these arts, he began creating gold and jewelry pieces and learning stone setting in an experimental manner.

From then on, he focused on custom orders from clients with specific designs in his workshop. In 2009, he also began teaching jewelry design to students. It was during this time that the first sparks of the idea to merge two ancient handcrafts from his homeland—Khatam Kari and marquetry—into gold and jewelry began to form in his mind. He sought to create a link between these two arts by utilizing Iran’s rich artistic heritage, aiming to represent Persian culture on the global stage.

Drawing inspiration from the timeless and immortal patterns such as Toranj, Shamsa, and Boteh Jegheh—symbols of ancient Iranian art—and from traditional arts and crafts like architecture, carpets, textiles, and tile work found in historical places, Reza Mahmoudi pioneered a new approach to blending marquetry and inlay work. His innovative vision breathed new life into these crafts, bringing youth and energy into the art form. With this approach, Mahmoudi became recognized as one of the pioneers in merging Iranian handcrafts with the jewelry industry.

Through years of dedication, Reza Mahmoudi sought to bring a conceptual narrative to the gold and gem industry, using the language of art and aesthetic quality. He aimed to showcase deeper meanings of Iranian art through the use of Khatam Kari patterns in his designs. His creative approach to Khatam and its associated motifs reflects his inquisitive and innovative mind, striving to present new horizons in the world of jewelry design.

Reza Mahmoudi

All of his designs and works arise from the dynamic and fearless creativity of his mind, rooted in a commitment to the liberation of Persian art. This art, with its mission to serve as a visual translation of the full expression of human civilization’s identity, is deeply intertwined with foundational and symbolic structures, drawing on ancient motifs. Today, these works have become the artistic signature of the designer’s personal vision, astonishingly breaking the boundaries of the industry and, through the use of Khatam art, presenting a new definition and essence to this craft.

His achievements are a creative epic and a unique treasure, intertwined with myths and their stories, reflecting the blossoming of his personal style in the creation of a universal idea or theme, perhaps even its condensation in the current age. Each of these achievements, in its own way, offers a new interpretation of Khatam art in jewelry making. The mystique in his work is not hidden from the eyes of any observer, and its meaning resonates through all of his pieces.

Throughout the years, he has strived to present a fresh interpretation of the principles and foundations of the gold and jewelry industry, aligned with Persian culture, to the world in a scholarly and thoughtful manner. These efforts have been recognized not only in Iran but also internationally. In all his designs and works, while heavily influenced by mythological culture, he aims to present a modern reading of the ancient archetypes found across world mythologies. Thus, it can be said that his deep perspective and dynamic, fluid thinking create works that transport the viewer’s mind to a mythological age.

In all his works, he strives to embody a new interpretation of ancient patterns from mythological periods. His deep vision and fluid, energetic thinking result in pieces that draw the viewer’s mind into mythological eras.

Through his dedication to the evolution of the path from thought to hand and from idea to execution, Reza Mahmoudi has trained students and elevated them to mastery, so that they may continue his creative and ambitious legacy in bringing this modern traditional art to future generations. These students, by following Mahmoudi’s unique methods and techniques, have created jewelry that each, in its own way, serves as a symbol of Khatam and marquetry in modern jewelry making.

Describing the creation of Torse, Reza Mahmoudi says: “For me, Torse is not just a brand; it was the manifestation of a dream—a dream that, with every brushstroke, every Khatam pattern, and every gemstone cut, connected my heartbeat to the art. Every piece of Torse jewelry tells a story, and in each line and design, my love and passion for this land and its glorious history are embedded. Torse is my soul, shaped into gold and jewels, and its brilliance is a flame of my love for Persian art that will remain eternal.”

Torse Crafting