Inside LEVUMA Where the Diamond Comes First

March 23, 2026
Nada Armanious
Features

Born from heritage and an uncompromising respect for rare natural diamonds, LEVUMA is a maison that speaks quietly yet leaves a lasting impression. Founded in Antwerp, the historic center of the global diamond trade, the house is shaped by generations of expertise and a deeply personal relationship with stones that are understood as much by instinct as by craft.

Photo provided by LEVUMA

At its helm is founder and creative director Ali Khalil, whose path moves between the tactile rituals of his family’s diamond business and a decade spent in international finance. In this conversation, Khalil reflects on how heritage, discipline, and design converge at LEVUMA, where each creation begins with the diamond, follows a philosophy of restraint, and is made not for visibility, but for permanence.

You grew up in a multi-generational diamond family in Antwerp. What early experiences most shaped your relationship with diamonds?

Growing up in Antwerp, diamonds were part of my everyday environment from a very young age. As a child, I would often sit with my grandfather and help sort rough diamonds, separating them by colour, size, and character – long before I fully understood their value. He always taught me that a diamond is not merely a commodity, but a treasure of nature, formed over billions of years and carrying a certain soul. Observing stones in their raw state trained my eye to appreciate their individuality, light, and potential. That early, tactile experience shaped my philosophy today: a deep respect for natural diamonds as rare creations that must be understood, honoured, and elevated through thoughtful, restrained design.

Photo provided by LEVUMA

What was the moment you knew you wanted to create LEVUMA?

The idea of LEVUMA came from a quiet realisation rather than a single dramatic moment. I always knew I wanted to work in diamonds, as they were part of my heritage, but I was never drawn to the mining side or pure trading alone. At the same time, I had a strong interest in finance and chose to begin my career in investment banking, gaining international experience and discipline. Over the years, however, I felt increasingly drawn back to my roots; not to trade stones, but to give them meaning through design. The vision of creating an exclusive high jewellery maison developed gradually, shaped by both my diamond background and my structured financial mindset and appreciation for art and design. I wanted to reinterpret exceptional stones through a more architectural and contemporary lens, where they would not be overshadowed by excessive design, but elevated through clarity, balance, and timeless composition.

How did Antwerp’s legacy as the world’s diamond capital influence the DNA of LEVUMA?

Antwerp instilled in me a culture of discipline, discretion, and uncompromising quality. It is a place where expertise is generational and where trust is built over decades. That heritage is deeply embedded in LEVUMA’s DNA – from the way we source stones to the way we interact with collectors.

Our approach is Belgian at its core: precise, understated, and focused on excellence rather than spectacle.

Why is placing the diamond at the center of your design process so important to you?

For me, the diamond is always the protagonist. Each design begins with the stone: its light, proportions, and emotional presence. I have always felt that diamonds are among the most magical and beautiful stones that exist, and what fascinates me deeply is their incredible range of colours, each with its own personality and emotion. I believe true high jewellery should serve the gem, not dominate it. By allowing exceptional diamonds to define the composition, the result feels timeless and authentic rather than trend-driven. It is a philosophy of restraint that ultimately enhances rarity and preserves the natural beauty of the stone.

The maison is defined by a “contemporary-classic” aesthetic. How do you create this balance between modernity and timelessness?

I focus on purity of lines, proportion, and material integrity. Contemporary elements come from architectural structure and refined minimalism, while timelessness is achieved through balance and the enduring beauty of natural diamonds. I intentionally avoid excessive ornamentation so that each piece feels relevant today yet equally meaningful decades from now. We do not chase trends. It is about quiet sophistication and lasting presence rather than overt drama.

Can you walk us through the journey of a LEVUMA piece, from stone sourcing to final setting?

Each piece either begins with an exceptional centre stone that we have sourced or cut, or with a series of initial sketches and gouache designs that define the vision. From there, we source each diamond globally, one by one, to ensure a perfect match in terms of ratio, colour, and overall harmony. This process often takes our team across the four main diamond centres of the world, where we maintain a presence to carefully select the right stones. In some cases, we even recut certain diamonds to achieve absolute precision in proportions – because the difference truly lies in the details, and that is what makes a piece exceptional rather than simply very good.

Once all the stones are gathered, matched, and certified in New York, the Antwerp workshop begins the meticulous process of handcrafting the piece in platinum or gold. Every element is refined with extreme care to achieve structural balance, fluidity, and elegance. No piece ever leaves the workshop without being personally examined and approved by me, ensuring it meets the level of precision, harmony, and excellence that defines LEVUMA.

How did the decade you spent in international finance affect your approach to jewelry and business?

My background in finance shaped my strategic discipline and long-term vision. It taught me how to assess value, manage risk, and think globally – all of which are essential in the rare diamond world. At the same time, it reinforced the importance of trust and discretion, especially when working with ultra-high-net-worth collectors and royal families. LEVUMA operates with the same rigor as a financial institution, but with the soul of an artistic maison.

Looking ahead, what do you see for LEVUMA’s future?

The future of LEVUMA lies in deepening our identity as a discreet, exclusive, global high jewellery maison rooted in exceptional natural diamonds and refined design. We are expanding our presence through private salons, curated exhibitions in select places, and a new daily collection that reflects our philosophy of understated luxury. Long-term, my vision is to build a lasting legacy maison — one that is recognised not only for rarity and craftsmanship, but for timelessness.