IndependentsMar 25, 2021
New Addition to Miami Jewelry District Is Looking for a Design School TenantMajorsJan 28, 2022
Miami Jewelry District Sets Up Advisory Council
An advisory board has been established to help draw tenants and talent to the area, including to the new Time Century Jewelry Center.
Developer Yair Levy is gathering jewelry experts to create an advisory council for the Miami jewelry district.
Miami—Miami’s jewelry district is expanding, and developer Yair Levy is looking for a group of jewelry experts to help guide its development.
Levy is the man behind the Time Century Jewelry Center, an up-and-coming development within Miami’s jewelry district.
New York-based real estate firm Time Century Holdings LLC purchased the Metro Mall building in downtown Miami in 2018 for $14.5 million with plans to transform it to a luxury destination for retail jewelers and wholesalers.
The Time Century Jewelry Center will feature four floors of wholesale and retail space and an additional four floors of office space.
The wholesale and retail spaces are set to open by June, with 65 percent of the spaces already leased, said a spokesperson for the project.
Levy is setting up an advisory committee to oversee the district, alongside the Miami-Dade Beacon Council and the Downtown Development Authority.
The committee will include local, national, and international experts that will join forces to welcome jewelry retailers, manufacturers, designers and diamond dealers to Miami.
Haygo Demir, CEO of consulting group DGI, will join the committee.
Demir has experience in jewelry manufacturing and retail distribution in the Southeast U.S., the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, as well as retail tourism and cruise industry know-how.
“I am all about growth in the jewelry industry and feel that the Miami market is positioned for substantial growth and wanted to help develop this new opportunity,” said Demir.
Related stories will be right here …
Levy is the man behind the Time Century Jewelry Center, an up-and-coming development within Miami’s jewelry district.
New York-based real estate firm Time Century Holdings LLC purchased the Metro Mall building in downtown Miami in 2018 for $14.5 million with plans to transform it to a luxury destination for retail jewelers and wholesalers.
The Time Century Jewelry Center will feature four floors of wholesale and retail space and an additional four floors of office space.
The wholesale and retail spaces are set to open by June, with 65 percent of the spaces already leased, said a spokesperson for the project.
Levy is setting up an advisory committee to oversee the district, alongside the Miami-Dade Beacon Council and the Downtown Development Authority.
The committee will include local, national, and international experts that will join forces to welcome jewelry retailers, manufacturers, designers and diamond dealers to Miami.
Haygo Demir, CEO of consulting group DGI, will join the committee.
Demir has experience in jewelry manufacturing and retail distribution in the Southeast U.S., the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, as well as retail tourism and cruise industry know-how.
“I am all about growth in the jewelry industry and feel that the Miami market is positioned for substantial growth and wanted to help develop this new opportunity,” said Demir.
Kirsten Darrow, the former group vice president for Fred Meyer Jewelers, will also join the advisory board, with a focus on developing industry relationships for the Miami market.
“Jewelry is universal, meaningful, and is an industry built on relationships. I am thrilled to help cultivate and bring new, valuable relationships and partnerships to this landmark opportunity that will benefit Downtown Miami, the jewelry industry and deliver an unparalleled customer experience,” said Darrow.
Deborah Scarpa of marketing firm DJS3 will handle the marketing and communication for the advisory board and the Time Century Jewelry Center.
The advisory committee will grow as invitations to join the board are sent to other jewelry industry leaders, said a spokesperson.
There’s no shortage of talent to be found right in Miami, according to James Kohnstamm, executive vice president of economic development at the Miami-Dade Beacon Council.
“Miami-Dade County is rich with talent and expertise in a variety of creative sectors, and there is a long history of jewelry designers, manufacturers, gemologists, and retailers that serve local, national and international clientele,” said Kohnstamm.
“Beyond the jobs this effort has the potential to drive, the collaboration between private sector business leaders, local government and organizations like ours, the Miami DDA and others is vital to the continued growth and success of this community; that dialogue and shared commitment to Miami’s success is what sets us apart and helps us capitalize on this momentum.”
The city will continue to grow, predicted Levy, noting the development of luxury condos and apartments close to the Time Century Jewelry Center.
The building will also house two upscale restaurants, and hopes to draw in the city’s tourist crowds.
For his own development, Levy is still on the lookout for a design school tenant, said a spokesperson.
He would also like to have a grading laboratory as part of the center.
“We need a top quality and prestigious diamond grading research laboratory here in the Time Century Jewelry District. This will be great for the whole district because of safety and convenience, but also because they act as an educational facility for gemology training and credibility monitoring of the industry in general,” he said.
“The public trust in diamond grading, certification and purchasing brings commerce,” he added.
For more information about the Time Century Jewelry Center, visit its website.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
CollectionsJan 21, 2026
Bulgari Weaves New Collection of ‘Vimini’ Creations“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.
Events & AwardsJan 21, 2026
Jewelers Mutual’s ‘Conversations’ Retreat Returns to Discuss AIThe third edition will be held in Half Moon Bay, California, in April.
Events & AwardsJan 20, 2026
These Are the 5 Finalists for the David Yurman Gem Awards GrantThe grant is in its first year and was created to recognize an exceptional fine jewelry designer whose star is on the rise.
ColumnistsJan 20, 2026
First-Party Data Is the Most Valuable Asset Jewelers Have in 2026Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsJan 20, 2026
Borsheims Hires New Assistant Facilities ManagerHeath Yarges brings two decades of experience to the role.
