Kerim Güzeliş

Kerim Güzeliş is a distinguished figure in the Turkish jewelry industry and the third-generation representative and Chairman of the Board of Ariş Pırlanta, a century-old heritage brand.

Born in 1953 in Mardin, a city known for its deep-rooted craftsmanship culture, he grew up in a family of master jewelers and filigree artisans. His exposure to the jewelry craft began at the age of six, working alongside his father. In the late 1950s, his family relocated to Istanbul, where he continued his education while simultaneously gaining hands-on experience in the Grand Bazaar. He later completed his higher education at the Academy of Economic and Commercial Sciences.

At the age of 20, in 1972, he founded his first business, Güzeliş Kuyumculuk. Guided by his grandfather’s advice—“do not do what everyone else does; create difference”—he built his entrepreneurial mindset on innovation and distinction. Until 1977, he focused on traditional gold production and wholesale operations. Inspired by international jewelry fairs in Europe, he later shifted his focus entirely toward diamonds and precious stones.

In 1984, he institutionalized the family brand under the name “Ariş,” choosing the name for its meanings of purity, cleanliness, and bridal symbolism. Under his leadership, Ariş became a pioneering force in the Turkish jewelry industry.

Kerim Güzeliş has introduced several firsts to the sector, including the first jewelry catalog in Türkiye, the first diamond fashion show, and the first international trade fair participations. He also played a pioneering role in digital transformation by launching one of the earliest e-commerce platforms in the Turkish jewelry industry.

He has stated in interviews that jewelry design and craftsmanship remain a personal passion rather than merely a profession. Today, he continues to manage the brand alongside the fourth generation of his family, supported by his children and grandchildren, ensuring the continuity of a century-old legacy.