24 Karat Club of Southern California Announces 2024 Honorees

Los Angeles— The Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California, along with its board of directors, have announced the several industry professionals it will honor at its 80th Annual Dinner Dance and Gala next month. 

The organization will hand out awards to Martin Rapaport, founder and chairman of the Rapaport Group; Douglas Kazanjian, CEO of jewelry company Kazanjian Beverly Hills; and Carl Larson, director of gems at Pala International. 

Rapaport will receive the club’s Lifetime Achievement Award.  

He started Rapaport Group in 1978. The group offers the Rapaport Price List, the RapNet Trading Network, Rapaport Auctions, and other informational services. 

It has over 21,000 members in 127 countries. 

A primary advocate for “ethical, transparent, competitive, and efficient diamond markets,” the organization said, Martin will be honored for how he transformed the diamond industry through providing global price availability and trading transparency in competitive markets. 

Kazanjian will be honored with the Excellence in Service Award. 

He is the third generation to lead the 111-year-old family jewelry firm Kazanjian Beverly Hills. 

Kazanjian, who works to source fine and rare gems and estate jewels, helped with the rediscovery of a 5.05 carat red diamond in 2007.  

Previously, the company’s founders had carved what it said are the world’s four largest sapphires into busts of former U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. 

Kazanjian helped donate the busts to the Oval Office, gifted through the Kazanjian Foundation, the company’s nonprofit organization that supports scientific, artistic, cultural, and other causes. 

He is also involved in supporting his local community, industry trade organizations, and presents lectures on estate jewelry and gemstones to organizations nationwide. 

The Rising Star Award will be presented to Larson.  

Larson studied at the Gemological Institute of America and Paris’ Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, where he fine-tuned his eye for fine gems and minerals. 

A go-to dealer and broker, Larson has placed many high-quality gemstones with large brands and auction houses, said the 24 Karat Club. 

He won his first AGTA Spectrum Award for jewelry design in 2023. 

The club said Larson’s expertise and unwavering dedication will play a key role in the continued success of Pala International, the family-owned company. 

The annual black-tie event will take place Sept. 28 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, a new venue for the gala. 

Along with dinner, the event will include live entertainment, and guests can view the automotive specimens in the museum.

“I am thrilled to continue the tradition and legacy of our annual awards gala into its eightieth year,” said Kimberly Overlin, president of the club. 

“Our new venue, the iconic Petersen Automotive Museum, reflects our commitment to innovation and celebrates our industry's rich heritage. Our members and longtime attendees of this event are in for an amazing evening of networking, recognition, and entertainment. I urge everyone to secure their tickets early and join us for a memorable celebration of excellence in the jewelry industry.”

Retailers, wholesalers, and colleagues in the jewelry, diamond, colored stone, and watch industries are invited to the celebration.

Tickets and information about sponsorships are available on the organization’s website.