Following Series of Acquisitions, Quality Gold To Go Public
The jewelry wholesaler and distributor plans to enter the public market through a merger with Tastemaker Acquisition Corp., a SPAC.

Based in the Cincinnati suburb of Fairfield, Ohio, Quality Gold is a jewelry wholesale and distribution company founded in 1979 by David Langhammer and currently run by his sons, CEO Michael Langhammer and Chief Operating Officer Jason Langhammer.
The company has more than 15,000 retail customers, a mix of independents, regional chains, department stores, and e-commerce platforms. It supplies them with finished jewelry, watches (including pre-owned Rolex and Cartier) and natural and lab-grown diamonds.
Quality Gold said it had a record year in fiscal 2022 (ended March 31), with revenue totaling $534 million and adjusted EBITDA of $82 million.
It also has acquired and integrated a dozen companies since 2012—most recently IBGoodman Manufacturing Co. in June—and said the merger will enable it to continue with targeted M&As.
“We are excited to take this major step forward in becoming a publicly traded company,” said Jason Langhammer.
“We have built a business that is well diversified across products, suppliers and customers, has proven to be incredibly stable, and is poised for strong future growth. Our decision to go public is intended to supercharge Quality’s Gold’s growth as the premier jewelry logistics and distribution provider.”
Tastemaker Acquisition Corp. is a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) led by co-CEOs Dave Pace and Andy Pforzheimer. Also known as a “blank check company,” SPACs do not have any commercial operations but exist solely to raise capital through an initial public offering or by merging or acquiring an existing company.
(Another jewelry player, Blue Nile, also planned to go public through a SPAC but it never happened; the retailer was later acquired by Signet.)
The deal values the combined companies at $989 million.
Upon closing, Quality Gold Inc. will become Quality Gold Holdings Inc. and will trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “QGLD.”
The Langhammer brothers and their current senior management team will continue to run the company, and existing Quality Gold equity holders will retain approximately 94 percent of the new company’s pro forma equity.
The boards of directors of both Quality Gold and Tastemaker have unanimously approved the transaction.
It is subject to other customary closing conditions, including certain regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023.
The Latest

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.


The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.