TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
GradingMay 09, 2023
Zvi Yehuda, Inventor and Lifelong Learner, Dies at 86
Yehuda’s knack for invention became apparent at an early age, and his career spanned seven decades.
Zvi Yehuda got his start in the diamond industry at age 16 and, over the next 70 years, invented numerous game-changing devices for weighing, cutting, testing, and improving diamonds. He died Saturday at age 86.
New York—Zvi Yehuda, the longtime diamond industry inventor who is remembered for his love of learning and his love of family, died Saturday.
He was 86.
According to a profile published in the November 2019 issue of Rapaport magazine, Yehuda got his start in the diamond industry in 1953 after his father hired someone to give a private lesson on diamond cleaving to a small group.
The lesson gave the then 16-year-old Yehuda an idea about recycling the diamond dust created in bruting process, and an inventor was born.
According to the story, he invented the first digital scales for diamonds at age 23 and, at 28, the first machine that used lasers to cut a diamond.
Later in his life, Yehuda had the idea for Sherlock Holmes, the company’s device for detecting lab-grown diamonds, the invention his son Dror Yehuda, president of New York-based Yehuda Diamond Co., described in his father’s eulogy as his “grand finale.”
Dror remembered taking a trip with his father to the United States in the early 1970s to meet with a professor in Los Angeles who was on the team that developed lab-grown diamonds at General Electric.
Zvi knew then the industry would need lab-grown diamond identification devices in the future and shared his knowledge from that trip with Dror when the time came to develop the Sherlock Holmes.
“With this invention, you have completed your tremendous contribution to the diamond industry,” Dror said in the eulogy.
Outside of work, Zvi is remembered as a generous man who loved to learn—he was always reading a book or doing research on the internet, Dror said—and valued his family and friends above all else.
He is survived by his wife, Meira Yehuda—the two started dating at age 15 and never separated—three sons, Roni Yehuda, Dror and Moshe Yehuda; one daughter, Yael Konigsberg; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was 86.
According to a profile published in the November 2019 issue of Rapaport magazine, Yehuda got his start in the diamond industry in 1953 after his father hired someone to give a private lesson on diamond cleaving to a small group.
The lesson gave the then 16-year-old Yehuda an idea about recycling the diamond dust created in bruting process, and an inventor was born.
According to the story, he invented the first digital scales for diamonds at age 23 and, at 28, the first machine that used lasers to cut a diamond.
Later in his life, Yehuda had the idea for Sherlock Holmes, the company’s device for detecting lab-grown diamonds, the invention his son Dror Yehuda, president of New York-based Yehuda Diamond Co., described in his father’s eulogy as his “grand finale.”
Dror remembered taking a trip with his father to the United States in the early 1970s to meet with a professor in Los Angeles who was on the team that developed lab-grown diamonds at General Electric.
Zvi knew then the industry would need lab-grown diamond identification devices in the future and shared his knowledge from that trip with Dror when the time came to develop the Sherlock Holmes.
“With this invention, you have completed your tremendous contribution to the diamond industry,” Dror said in the eulogy.
Outside of work, Zvi is remembered as a generous man who loved to learn—he was always reading a book or doing research on the internet, Dror said—and valued his family and friends above all else.
He is survived by his wife, Meira Yehuda—the two started dating at age 15 and never separated—three sons, Roni Yehuda, Dror and Moshe Yehuda; one daughter, Yael Konigsberg; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
More on Grading
The Latest
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
