Selim Mouzannar began his journey in 1981 in Paris, where he spent four years studying gemology at the Institut National de Gemmologie. In his final year at the institute he alternated his studies with practical training at a major gem center in Antwerp. After graduation in 1984, Mouzannar went to Saudi Arabia, Far East and Europe, to work for the internationally renowned Mouawad Group. In 1993, Mr. Mouzannar returned to Beirut and started his own company, choosing not to join the century-old family business.