From retailers to designers and the media, the fine jewelry industry recognized one another’s work and looked to the future.
Effy Jewelry Founder, Designer Effy Hematian Dies at 79
Hematian is remembered for his kindness, his passion for jewelry design, and his dedication to the company he started from scratch.

He was 79.
Effy Jewelry shared news of its founder’s passing on social media Monday.
In a statement to National Jeweler, the company said: “With great sadness we announce the passing of Mr. Effy Hematian. Although we will all mourn this profound loss forever, we choose to celebrate all Effy has brought into our lives.
“Effy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, visionary and community leader. His honesty and humility only illuminate the industry-defining change he brought to the jewelry world. Through his unwavering belief in God, he demonstrated that we can live a life of passion and purpose, leaving the world better than he found it.”
Born Dec. 10, 1943, Hematian emigrated from Iran in the midst of the Islamic Revolution in the late 1970s.
Though he trained and worked as an electrical engineer, Hematian started a jewelry company when he landed in New York City in 1979, building his business from nothing, as recounted in a video posted to the Effy Jewelry YouTube channel.
“I’m really proud that I could tell you that [I] came to this country with zero and today we are one of the biggest [jewelry] manufacturers in the States,” he said.
According to the video, Hematian spent most of his mornings sketching jewelry designs, sometimes completing as many as 20 to 30 sketches in a single day. He said his background as an electrical engineer helped him see things other people might have missed.
In the afternoon, he liked to walk the factory floor and keep an eye on the production of his designs.
While his creativity and design inspirations were “endless,” the Effy Jewelry website describes one creature—the panther—as the designer’s “lifelong muse.”
The big cat became the cornerstone of the brand’s “Signature Collection,” and it became a star at Jewelers for Children’s “Facets of Hope” event, held annually in Las Vegas alongside the Couture and JCK shows.
Hematian and Effy Jewelry were longtime supporters of JFC and donated plush panthers to give away at the gala for about five years.
JFC Executive Director David Rocha remembered Hematian as a “lovely man.”
“Effy was always so kind and would make time to share his latest designs, his inspiration and his process. He was a real icon in our industry. My thoughts are with (Hematian’s son) Benny and his family,” Rocha said.
Sarin Bachmann, group vice president of the RX Jewelry Portfolio, said: “We were so saddened to learn about Effy Hematian’s passing. Effy has been a wonderful partner to JCK over the years and a force in the industry.
“We appreciated his deep passion for creating beautiful jewelry stemming from his roots as an engineer. Effy’s legacy will live on with his family, his namesake business, and the wonderful jewelry creations he inspires.”
On social media, members of the trade—including many Effy Jewelry employees—and the brand’s customers reacted to news of Hematian’s passing with similar remembrances, recalling a man who was kind and had a passion and a talent for design.
Jan Swartz, the group president for Holland America Group, wrote on LinkedIn, “Mr. Effy Hematian was much more than one of the world’s most brilliant jewelry designers and visionary entrepreneurs.
“Beyond his professional achievements, he had a kind and generous spirit. I admired his craftsmanship, creativity, passion, and love of his colleagues, community, and family. Mr. Effy will long be remembered by every life he touched, and his legacy will live on.”
On Facebook, a longtime Effy Jewelry customer said, “RIP Effy … your creations have been making me happy for years and will continue to, for years to come.”
The Latest

Eleanor H. Yeh is the recipient of the eighth annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.

The trade show has also upgraded its venue to the Caesars Forum Conference Center.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The Dayton-based jeweler, which has been in business since 1985, was formerly known as Stafford Jewelers.


Reeds Jewelers CEO Alan Zimmer will be presented with the honor at JVC’s annual luncheon.

The piece, celebrating birthdays from March 21 to April 19, debuted with Sorellina’s new line of astrological pendants.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

CEO Beth Gerstein shared its most popular price points, what’s trending in non-bridal fine jewelry, and its holiday performance.

The 15 pieces were crafted from the “Insofu” emerald, discovered in Zambia in 2010.

Chris Anderson is joining the insurance provider as the new chief financial officer and treasurer.

Jewelers of America is distributing a brochure for retailers to use when discussing the differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds.

The industry is changing as it grapples with new realities around distribution, supply, and the need for consistent, effective marketing.

Bhansali discusses the potential impact of U.S. tariffs, demand for diamonds by market, and the “cautious confidence” in India right now.

As lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.

Govind Dholakia and Tanishq will be recognized for their contributions to the industry at the Diamonds Do Good Awards in Las Vegas.

The New York City-based brand has opened its first U.K. location with a permanent shop-in-shop at Liberty in London.

A metal detectorist discovered the ring that is believed to have belonged to a bishop in the late 12th to early 13th century.

Organizers looked to new partnerships and interactive experiences to enhance the spring show, set for March 16 to 18.

Kenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, will discuss the future of diamonds.

The suspect allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a store in Orlando and then swallowed it during a traffic stop.

Ahead of the Gem Awards on Friday, Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share pro tips for taking the best photos.

Founded in 2000, Marco Bicego is commemorating its milestone anniversary with a “25 Best” collection and campaigns honoring its heritage.

Those attending the company’s upcoming Zoom workshop will receive early access to “The List,” its new resource for finding buyers.

The organization will present an award to Amy-Elise Signeavsky, law enforcement and diamond recovery manager at GIA.

Chandler started his jewelry career at Michelson Jewelers, joining the Diamond Council of America as president and CEO in 2001.

Scottish American designer Maeve Gillies collaborated with Platinum Guild International on jewelry created by direct metal 3D printing.