The World Crafts Council (WCC) has officially recognized Yazd as the world city of traditional and handcrafted jewelry, marking a major cultural milestone for Iran on the international stage.
In a statement issued on April 21, 2025, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, extended his congratulations to the Iranian people—particularly the residents and artisans of Yazd—calling the designation a powerful symbol of the enduring bond between Iran’s ancient heritage and contemporary creativity.
“This international recognition highlights Yazd’s deep cultural and artistic roots,” Salehi-Amiri said during a press conference. “It also underscores the success of our ‘heritage diplomacy’ strategy, which seeks to elevate Iran’s cultural identity and strengthen social resilience.”
This is not Yazd’s first international accolade. In 2017, the city’s historic urban fabric was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming the first historic Iranian city to receive such status.
Salehi-Amiri described the latest honor as “a new chapter in Yazd’s ongoing rise to global recognition and its growing role in the world’s cultural heritage landscape.”
The art of Zargari—traditional jewelry making in Yazd—traces back nearly 2,000 years, with historical evidence supporting its ancient origins. This craft has been handed down through generations, preserving its intricate and unique techniques that make Yazdi jewelry almost impossible to imitate. Some of the most exquisite examples, dating back 500 years, can still be found exclusively in Yazd today.
