A Legacy of Diamonds and Jerusalem
Avi (Abraham) Tavisal, a veteran and senior diamond dealer on the Diamond Exchange and founder of the Israel Diamond Center (IDC), is a seventh-generation descendant on his mother’s side of a Jerusalem family.
When you talk to Avi about Jerusalem and his special connection to the stones of the Temple Mount, it’s hard not to be moved by his passion, his unique story, and the creative way he combines his love for the capital city and the profession he has been in for fifty years – jewelry design.
The story of the IDC is a special and rare story that is not heard every day, about a family of talented people who are so deeply and fatefully connected to their profession. Their connection to diamonds runs in the family since World War II. Avi Tavisal, Emma Tavisal, Yael Tavisal Klugerman, and Daniel Tavisal, three generations who manage the IDC company – the largest jewelry and diamond center in Israel.
It all started with the grandfather, the diamonds that saved David Dov Tavisal, who survived World War II thanks to diamonds given to him as a parting gift by his adoptive family. The diamonds helped him escape from occupied Poland, cross borders, wander homeless, hide in the forests, evade the Nazi army, bribe guards, buy food. To survive. To rejoice in the few moments he remained alive thanks to the diamonds he carried on his body. It was a journey of survival that led him to the port of Brindisi in Italy, from where he sailed to Israel.
In Tel Aviv, he met Rosa, the sixth generation in the country. He worked as a diamond setter in Nahalat Binyamin. The man who began his life as a World War II survivor with a small bag of diamonds, won and survived against all odds and managed to start a family.
His son, Abraham (Avi) Tavisal, is the man who today heads the company and the family business. Avi’s childhood was spent next to his father and watched him set diamonds. What started from a bag of diamonds and an incredible survival story has turned into a special and rare partnership between a father and son. In 1975, Avi opened his first jewelry factory.
“For all the decades I’ve been in the jewelry industry, I’ve been looking for a way to incorporate Jerusalem and my faith into my creations. I knew that at some point I would have an idea and my own way of expressing my aspiration that my customers would also be ambassadors of Jerusalem wherever they go and wear my jewelry.”
Avi maintains this “embassy” in the heart of the Jewish Quarter in the Old City in a 450-year-old building.
The Jerusalem Stone Collection: A Unique Connection to the Holy City
How did this connection that was so important to you come about?
“When I learned about the illegal excavations of the Waqf on the Temple Mount and the immense damage caused by the way in which hundreds of tons of earth were removed from the belly of the Temple Mount, our holiest of holies, I decided to join as a donor to the invaluable project of sifting and searching for archaeological finds that was managed by the Antiquities Authority. For those who do not remember or are less familiar, hundreds of truckloads of earth were removed from the Temple Mount as part of illegal work to a waste site covered with more garbage to cover up this terrible injustice.”
Beyond your ability and commitment to this important project, what else happened?
“As part of the cooperation, I worked to obtain both legal and religious approvals to use stones and rocks that are not, of course, archaeological finds to create a unique collection and bring to life the Jerusalem stone that is so special to the whole world.”
What makes this collection special?
“The Moriah collection is very unique, each piece in the collection is handcrafted and conveys a powerful message, from a unique combination of materials that represent the strength, value, and holiness of Jerusalem. It is a formula that combines three elements and in fact the three most important and stable elements in the world. The strongest diamond in the world, the most precious metal in the world – gold, and stones from the foundation rocks of creation from the place where it all began… Jerusalem stone from the Temple Mount – the holiest place in the world.”
Making Jerusalem Accessible: The Moriah Collection for Everyone
Avi notes that no less important than the great emotional value of such a piece of jewelry is the fact that every purchase from the Moriah collection product line has a component of contribution back to the Temple Mount earth sifting project, which still has many years of research and discovery ahead of it.
Avi, gold and diamonds are an expensive business, this is a purchase that not everyone can afford?
“When the goal is to create as many ambassadors of Jerusalem as possible in Israel and around the world, with a piece of jewelry that has a story and a connection to a place so important to our existence, I made sure that Moriah jewelry would be accessible to almost every budget, from pendants for girls and bar mitzvahs to earrings, bracelets and pendants for women and men of all ages and social standing. Moreover, it is customary to think that diamond and gold are the most expensive of the three components of the item, but the historical Jerusalem stone has no price and there is nothing like it.
“This is the real beauty of the thing, literally, diamonds and gold can be bought anywhere in the world, but Jerusalem stone from the Temple Mount where it all began, certified and authentic, can only be obtained from us, and that’s why we make sure that anyone who wants a Moriah item can buy it. There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing the vision of connecting Jerusalem to each and every person on the most personal level, happening. It excites me every time anew and I thank every day for the rare opportunity I have been blessed with.”
The Moriah Collection: A Legacy of Faith, Craftsmanship, and Community
The Moriah Collection is more than just a line of jewelry; it is a testament to Avi Tavisal’s deep faith, his passion for his craft, and his commitment to his community. By incorporating Jerusalem stone into his designs, he is not only creating beautiful and unique pieces of jewelry, but he is also connecting people to the rich history and heritage of the city. And by making his jewelry accessible to people of all backgrounds, he is ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to own a piece of Jerusalem.
The Moriah Collection is a true reflection of Avi Tavisal’s values and beliefs. It is a collection that is made with love, care, and attention to detail. It is a collection that is designed to inspire and connect and it is sure to be treasured for generations to come.
Additional Notes
- The Moriah Collection is named after Mount Moriah, the biblical site where the Temple of Solomon was built.
- The collection is made with Jerusalem stone, which is a type of limestone that is quarried from the Temple Mount.
- Each piece of jewelry in the collection is handcrafted and is one-of-a-kind.
- A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Moriah jewelry is donated to the Temple Mount Sifting Project.
