All a jewelry enthusiast has to do is explain the necklace, earring or ring of their dreams to İşler and voila! It will be done.
İşler will first sketch the piece of jewelry desired by his customer and share this drawing. If the customer approves of what they see, he’ll lock himself into his workshop and put his magic hands to work. During the preparation state, the customer must go in for a “fitting,” as though they are having a special dress made. Depending on the type of jewelry and the features of the stones being used, there may be a need for more than one visit. And finally the customer walks away with the exact type of jewelry they want, for much cheaper than its market value.
İşler is the only craftsman who is known throughout the Grand Bazaar for embroidering red gold. İşler emroiders red gold, which is also known as Ottoman gold, creating modernized Ottoman and Byzantine jewelry. The “Hürremin gözyaşları” (The tears of Hürrem) necklace, which allowed for İşler to make a name for himself in the Turkey’s jewelry market, is a unique piece made with red gold and rubies. Because İşler creates customized jewelry, he only ever makes one of each piece and refuses to replicate any of his work. Although İşler does not have a physical shop in the Grand Bazaar, he is known to the shopkeepers and customers, who can find him through word of mouth. Jewelry lovers may visit him at his workshop, and his hardcore fans simply invite him to their own home. He generally showcases his latest creations during visits to his customer’s homes. He is quite popular with well-to-do women who have “gold parties” (altın günleri) in Turkey, as they examine his work and make purchases. Among those who purchase his rings, which are each works of art that could be displayed in art exhibits, are wives of businessmen and ministers. He says that he has also delivered the orders of many artists to their own homes. İşler, whose designs resemble that of his jewelry designing counterpart Sevan Nişanyan of the Grand Bazaar, is called “Sevan no.2” in the Grand Bazaar. İşler’s family is one which had made a name for it’s self in jewelry design. His father was one of the Grand Bazaar’s finest foundry men, however he has since retired. He and his two brothers are keeping their father’s legend alive in the Grand Bazaar.
Socialites’ favorite new jewelry: ebony rings
The tropical ebony tree has been valued since ancient times. Many kings used ebony thrones and canes. Some even drank out of ebony cups, as they believed that it would counteract the effects of poison. Ebony, which is currently widely used in the making of furniture and instruments, is very difficult to carve. This in combination with its rarity makes it a very valuable item. Arda İşler is the only jeweler in Turkey who can work with ebony. He discovered the story of ebony while reading about general history. He ordered some from abroad and rolled up his sleeves to work with the rare wood. He has since become an expert in carving it. His unique ivory rings have become popular among İstanbul’s socialites. İşler says that it takes him three to four months to make one ring, saying that ebony, although wood, attracts the same attention as ruby or red gold.
