Ilyas Suleimanov will forever be remembered by his friends and colleagues as a man of rare talent, intellect, and dignity. Born on June 25, 1964, in Almaty to a family of scholars, he lived a bright and meaningful life, leaving this world too soon at the age of 61. Named after his famous uncle, Ilyas Omarov, he inherited from his family a noble character, sharp mind, and the ability to walk through life with quiet strength. A veteran of the war in Afghanistan, he later defended his doctoral thesis on the complex and profound topic of “Semiotics of Visual Archetypes,” and became known as a philosopher, linguist, and publisher.

Suleimanov was the author of Lectures on Philosophy and Proto-European Roots in the Kazakh Language, and he actively promoted the literary legacy of his father, Mukhammed-Khaleil Suleimanov. But to the wider public, he was best known as an educator and advocate of the jewellery craft. Through his clear and insightful articles, he taught people how to recognize real gold, understand the differences between white and yellow gold, evaluate gemstones, and appreciate the stylistic language of fine jewellery.

He trained in Moscow and Zurich, became a certified gemmologist, and led the Kazakhstan Jewellery Business Association from 1998 to 2004. He served on juries of many national and international competitions and exhibitions, sharing his expertise through workshops around the world. His life was inseparable from the brand Zerger Ilyas, founded in 1991. During the difficult 1990s, “Zerger” was not only a jewellery company — it was a source of support for veterans, funding medical treatment, pilgrimages to Mecca, and the construction of the monument to internationalist soldiers in Almaty. His jewellery was exhibited in Paris and received high praise from Association Française de Gemmologie.

A particularly special chapter in his creative legacy is his collaboration with Eurasian Creative Guild (London). Suleimanov created a limited edition of gold lapel pins exclusively for the Guild — exquisite pieces of jewellery that became symbols of belonging and honor within the international creative community. Crafted with his signature precision and deep artistic meaning, these pins were awarded only to a select few, becoming timeless emblems of cultural connection.

Ilyas Suleimanov was more than a jeweller — he was a man of courage, intellect, and immense heart. His lifelong “call sign,” Zerger (“jeweller” in Kazakh), perfectly reflects who he was: a creator of beauty, a defender of values, and a trusted friend. He combined craftsmanship with philosophy, transforming gold and stone into symbols that outlive their creator.

A bright memory remains of this remarkable master, friend, and member of the Eurasian Creative Guild — Ilyas Suleimanov.