Our Story
Facets & Form stands at the intersection of heritage, precision, and contemporary artistry. Founded by master lapidary artist Farhad Rasool Hakakzada, the studio carries forward four generations of gemstone craftsmanship shaped during Afghanistan’s mid-20th-century era of cultural stability and state-supported traditional arts. This lineage is connected to Afghanistan’s first Institute for Stone and Wood Carving (Hajari wa Najari Moasessa), which was established during Afghanistan’s early cultural development period with the involvement of Farhad Rasool Hakakzada’s grandfather and great grandfather, working alongside the state under the reign of His Majesty King Zahir Shah.
Raised in a family where discipline, patience, and respect for the stone were non-negotiable, Farhad began his apprenticeship at ten years old. Under the guidance of his father and uncles, he learned to approach each gem with quiet focus, to study its natural geometry, understand its internal language, and reveal its fullest beauty through intentional cutting.
His journey also gave him a rare, firsthand understanding of gemstone mining. Farhad spent years working with miners in the high mountain regions where Afghan lapis, Emeralds, Rubies and Tourmaline have been sourced for centuries, the rugged terrain of areas like Panjshir and Nuristan. Visiting their homes and witnessing the challenges of such remote, demanding environments shaped his deep commitment to ethical sourcing and respect for the people behind each stone.
As his skill matured, so did his responsibility. Farhad became a teacher and builder of opportunity, developing programs that elevated technical standards and empowered communities across Afghanistan. His work preserved a fading craft while introducing modern techniques, precision, and ethical awareness to a new generation of artisans.
In 2015, he relocated to the United States and rebuilt his practice with the same discipline that shaped his childhood. Facets & Form became the embodiment of that journey, a studio where heritage and modern refinement coexist naturally, and where every gemstone is shaped with intention, integrity, and emotional depth.
Today, the studio’s identity is defined by a rare blend of generational knowledge, ethical responsibility, and artistic mastery. Each stone carries four generations of wisdom, enriched by the cultural precision of Farhad’s Afghan roots and the international refinement he developed in Los Angeles. Ethical sourcing remains central to the process, guided by the firsthand understanding of the people, landscapes, and labor behind every gem.
Every piece is shaped entirely by hand, whether through custom precision faceting, sculptural free-forms or gemstone carving, Farhad follows the natural language of the stone, allowing its true character to emerge rather than forcing it into uniformity, symmetry, or trend.
Whether for bespoke jewelry, designer collaborations, or collectors seeking stones with soul, Facets & Form delivers craftsmanship rooted in heritage, shaped by lived experience, and refined through a lifelong devotion to the art of the gemstone.
