GradingJan 13, 2023
Sarine To Acquire Majority Stake in GCAL MajorsJan 20, 2023
Quality Gold Acquires Herco
Herco President Reuven Itelman is retiring and selling the company, which will relocate to Ohio from California.
Quality Gold has announced plans to acquire Herco, the San Francisco-based jewelry wholesaler founded in 1979 that specializes in higher-end 14- and 18-karat gold and platinum jewelry.
Fairfield, Ohio—Quality Gold has made another acquisition.
The jewelry wholesaler and distributor announced late Thursday it is buying Herco Jewelry Company, the San Francisco-based wholesaler started by the Itelman family in 1979.
Herco President Reuven Itelman is retiring and said he wanted to find a buyer that would keep the Herco name alive.
He believes he found that in Quality Gold.
“In speaking with and getting to know [Quality Gold co-founder and CEO] Michael Langhammer, I have complete confidence that the long-lasting Herco reputation that has been important to me is now in good hands with Quality Gold. Quality Gold has a strong relationship with independent jewelers and a plan for Herco to live on,” Itelman said.
For Quality Gold, the acquisition of Herco gives it the ability to distribute more 18-karat gold and platinum jewelry and tap into Herco’s network of luxury independent retailers, all while still offering jewelry under the Herco brand.
Herco generated more than $25 million in revenue (unaudited) in its latest fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2022.
Quality Gold Chief Operating Officer Jason Langhammer called it a “smart and strong addition” for the company.
“We expect as a result of this transaction, there is the potential for significant synergies that will make Herco, and by extension Quality Gold, stronger companies. We look forward to building upon their success and continuing to offer the Herco brand to retailers,” he said.
Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.
Quality Gold will begin fulfilling Herco orders in mid- to late February and will honor all current retailer memos, the company confirmed.
Over time, Herco’s operations will move from San Francisco to Quality Gold’s headquarters in Fairfield, Ohio, a Cincinnati suburb. Quality Gold said information is not available at this time as to whether it will retain any of Herco’s employees.
The deal is expected to be completed by mid-February.
“I am incredibly grateful to the entire jewelry community that my family and I have had the pleasure to be part of for 43 years,” Itelman said.
“Over the years, I’ve developed relationships with manufacturers and retailers worldwide. There is nothing more beautiful than the jewelry business. It is where art, engineering, and design come together. It has given me great fulfillment in my life, and I’ve learned so much from others who care deeply about this industry.”
The pending purchase of Herco is the latest in a series of acquisitions for Quality Gold, which most recently bought IBGoodman Manufacturing Co.
Last fall, Quality Gold announced plans to go public via a merger with Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) Tastemaker Acquisition Corp.
That deal is expected to close sometime in the first quarter of 2023.
Once it does, Quality Gold will become Quality Gold Holdings Inc. and trade on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol “QGLD.”
More on Majors
The Latest
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
IndependentsOct 15, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Kathy CoreyCorey rescued New England chain Day’s Jewelers, preserving its legacy with strong people skills, pragmatism, and a “get-it-done” attitude.
CrimeOct 15, 2025
Men Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences for 2023 Murder of Colorado JewelerCharles Robinson Shay was sentenced to life in prison plus 120 years while his accomplice, Michael James McCormack, got 75 years.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
Events & AwardsOct 15, 2025
JCK, Luxury to Debut New Watch Section in Vegas Next YearTimepieces at Luxury will take place at The Venetian and, like Luxury, will be invitation-only for the first two days.
AuctionsOct 15, 2025
Christie's Announces New Jewelry Department LeadershipThe auction house named a new global head of jewelry, as well as a new head of the jewelry department for the Americas.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom DixonAs chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper FlaggThe parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
