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Rasool Hakakzada – A Legacy of Stone, A Life of Resilience

 

 

Born on January 10, 1987, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Rasool Hakakzada is a fourth-generation gem cutter whose life has been shaped by the resilience of his heritage, the weight of tradition, and the strength of personal perseverance. His family’s legacy began with his great-grandfather—an orphan raised by his uncle—who introduced the art of gemstone cutting to Afghanistan. Under the reign of King Daud Khan, this legacy blossomed into the first factory of its kind in the region.  where his ancestors trained others and established the roots of Afghanistan’s gemstone industry.

At just 10 years old, on his birthday, Rasool was brought by his mother to his uncle to begin his training. He was raised with discipline and purpose by his father and two uncles, who taught him to cut, facet, and polish gemstones using traditional techniques rooted in logic, skill, and honesty. Despite growing up in a war-torn country without electricity, internet, or media, he pursued the craft with passion and determination.

Around 2002, after the fall of the Taliban regime and as Afghanistan slowly opened up, Rasool began biking over six kilometers to rare internet cafés to learn whatever he could about gemstones and the industry. Though online resources were scarce and educational content like YouTube didn’t yet exist, he followed industry leaders and used his father’s foundation of logic to continue learning and growing.

During this time, his father also introduced him to an old German book—The Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann. There was no English translation, so Rasool decided to study the German language while in high school just to understand and translate the book. It became one of his most valuable sources of gemological knowledge and helped fuel his early development.

In 2007, at the age of 17, Rasool was hired by the newly established arts foundation in Afghanistan, founded under President Karzai and Rory Stewart. It was the first institution to formally support traditional arts, including jewelry and gemstone cutting. There, he began teaching Afghan boys and girls—but quickly saw the limitations of traditional methods: outdated tools, rough polishing materials, and limited understanding of global quality standards. He advocated for upgrading techniques, knowledge, and training materials, but his requests were denied.

Determined to modernize the industry, Rasool left the institute—now known as Turquoise Mountain—and pursued his vision independently. Collaborating with international organizations like GIZ, USAID, Rupani Foundation, and the American Embassy, he founded multiple training centers across Afghanistan. These centers focused on teaching women, war widows, and girls how to cut gemstones, generate income, and gain independence. He designed everything—from the layout of the centers to the tools and curriculum. He even facilitated opportunities for students to attend international gem shows in Bangkok and beyond to learn about customer service, client relations, and modern jewelry standards.

In 2011, Rasool co-founded  Future Brilliance, groundbreaking project that trained over 36 students from across Afghanistan in gemstone cutting, jewelry design, jewelry making, literacy, marketing, business skills, and professional etiquette. As part of the program, he led the students internationally to Jaipur, India, Asia’s hub for gems and jewelry, giving them rare global exposure and practical insight. The project became one of the most successful and respected of its kind in Afghanistan. Still, for Rasool, it was not enough.

It was during this time that he came to a powerful realization: nonprofit models, while well-intentioned, were not sustainable—especially in environments like Afghanistan. Despite the project’s success, Rasool saw the limitations of aid-based approaches that lacked long-term viability. He began to champion for-profit, business-based models that could empower people through independence, ownership, and growth. These ideas became the foundation of his presentation at KIN Global, a prestigious international conference held in March 2015 at Northwestern University in Chicago, where Rasool was invited to speak about his work and vision.

Shortly after returning from the conference, his involvement in Aayenda—a U.S. government–funded project—made him a target. Recognizing the imminent danger, he made the difficult decision to leave Afghanistan. He relocated to the United States, arriving in New York in August 2015—leaving behind his parents, loved ones, and the life he had built, knowing he might not see them again. Only his son has since joined him in the United States, after seven years of separation.

In the U.S., Rasool viewed this transition as an opportunity not just to survive but to evolve. He studied the international market, honed his craftsmanship, and within a few short years became one of the top professionals in the gemstone and jewelry industry—first in California, and then globally. Known for his unmatched quality, precision, and the emotional energy he infuses into each piece, his reputation grew rapidly.

Then, in November 2024, he suffered a devastating fall and broke his hand. Doctors told him recovery would take eight to twelve months—and that he might never work the same way again. Emotionally crushed, he remembered something his father had once done: trained him with his left hand. Holding onto that memory, he searched for a rare left-hand machine. Against all odds, he found one nearby and began cutting again just five weeks after surgery. The first stone he cut was an aquamarine.

Aquamarines have always been close to his heart. His father had a supply of them during his early training, and they became the foundation of his skills. He loves their soothing blue, how beautifully they polish, and how they allow playful faceting and angles. That stone—cut in pain, against the odds—revived him emotionally and physically. It healed him. It became one of the most beautiful stones he had ever cut.

 

To Rasool, gem cutting is not just work—it is his hobby, his love, and his form of therapy. It has helped him survive some of the darkest periods of his life. Each stone he touches gives him joy and peace. He has never needed a therapist; his healing has always come through craftsmanship. Every piece he creates is a reflection of his heart, his sorrow, his hope, his perseverance—and the beauty in the next moment.

When a jewelry piece is finished, it always surpasses what he imagined. That’s because it holds a part of him—his soul, his story, and the energy of overcoming hardship. Clients often tell him they can feel it, and he believes that’s what makes his work truly unique.

Today, Rasool Hakakzada continues to live and work in Los Angeles, training others, building his brand, and telling stories through stone. His work is now recognized not just for its brilliance, but for the journey behind it.