TrendsJun 02, 2023
Take a Peek at Couture’s Newest Design Talents This year’s Design Atelier is full of gems.
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
CollectionsJun 02, 2023
Piece of the Week: Saboo Fine Jewels’ Emerald EarringsThey’re a testament to the power of excellent design.
IndependentsJun 02, 2023
These Are the 2023 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include one of Florida’s largest independent jewelers and two multi-store independents in the Chicago and New York areas.
Brought to you by
The Next Step for GIA Diamond ReportsThe most trusted diamond report, available in print or the GIA App.
TrendsJun 01, 2023
See 50+ Jewels Debuting at Couture in Las VegasThe industry’s most influential contemporary designers are showcasing their latest jewelry designs.
Weekly QuizJun 02, 2023
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge with this short test.
Lab-GrownJun 01, 2023
35-Carat Lab-Grown Diamond Going on Display in VegasCreated by Maitri Lab-Grown Diamonds and graded by IGI, it’s slightly bigger than the record-setting lab-grown diamond GIA just examined.
MajorsJun 01, 2023
Bottom Line Marketing Announces Restructured Leadership, New Service OfferingsThe marketing agency has integrated its first C-suite.
Brought to you by
Beyond Borders: Crucial Factors in Colored Stone Origin DeterminationNavigate origin determination with Continuing Education seminars offered by the GIA Alumni Collective™.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2023
Meet JCK’s 2023 Keynote SpeakerThe jewelry trade show also will debut educational content centered around social media.
TrendsMay 31, 2023
Here’s a Sneak Peek of New Jewelry to Check Out at JCKLuxury kicks off today, with the full show in swing on Friday.
CollectionsMay 31, 2023
Verragio’s Debut Fine Jewelry Collections Honor Company HeritageOne of the three new collections was inspired by the legend of a woman who traded her mansion to Cartier for two strands of natural pearls.
MajorsMay 31, 2023
Signet Jewelers Names New Head of Investor RelationsRob Ballew will be tasked with communicating the jewelry giant’s plans and financial performance to investors.
MajorsMay 31, 2023
Jewelers Mutual Launches App for Retailers, Introduces New BrokerageWith the app, customers receive a 15-day insurance offer on new purchases while their coverage needs are being evaluated.
Lab-GrownMay 30, 2023
Lightbox Is Testing Out a Trendy Concept Shop in BrooklynIt is in House of Showfields, a bazaar-style retail space in the borough’s Williamsburg neighborhood.
Events & AwardsMay 30, 2023
These Are the Can’t-Miss JCK Talks Education SessionsFrom consumer trends to retail technology, these are the JCK Talks sessions that should be on attendees’ radar.
AuctionsMay 30, 2023
Sotheby’s to Auction Mellon Family JewelrySignature pieces from Cartier and David Webb will appear in the June jewelry auction.
Events & AwardsMay 30, 2023
24 Karat Club of Southern California Recognizes 3 HonoreesThey will be celebrated at the annual dinner dance and gala in the fall.
Recorded WebinarsMay 26, 2023
Watch: Diamond Cut Quality: The Final Frontier Part 2Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by IGI
Recorded WebinarsMay 26, 2023
Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds: What It’s Like to Sell Both Watch retailers Jeffery Bolling and Bobby Bengivengo discuss employee training, customer education and the sticky subject of future value.
FinancialsMay 26, 2023
Movado Sales Slip in Q1 Amid Inflation Woes, Tough CompsThe company has plans to revamp the Movado brand and offer less expensive watches this year.
AuctionsMay 26, 2023
Piece of the Week: A Bulgari Sapphire and Diamond NecklaceSet with a 118-carat unheated Sri Lankan sapphire, it just sold for $3.4 million at Phillips jewelry auction in Hong Kong.
Supplier BulletinMay 25, 2023
RAE Fine Jewelry Collection Debuting at JCK Luxury 2023Sponsored by Noam Carver
TechnologyMay 25, 2023
State of Retail: Why Jewelers Need to Invest in Cybersecurity NowAs cybercrime incidents threaten the industry, jewelers need to know what they’re up against and the best ways to protect their businesses.
IndependentsMay 25, 2023
Louis Anthony Jewelers Is Remodeling and ExpandingThe Pittsburgh jeweler is redoing the lighting and showcases, and adding a full hospitality bar as well as new shop-in-shops.
SourcingMay 25, 2023
David Yurman Unveils Quartz Exhibition at AMNH The Yurman Family Crystalline Pass is inside the museum’s brand-new Richard Gilder Center.
MajorsMay 25, 2023
Stanley Zale Joins Hill & Co. as Principal Consultant Zale has more than 40 years’ experience in the diamond industry, including 17 years as Stuller’s VP of diamonds and gemstones procurement.
Events & AwardsMay 24, 2023
New To-Dos in Las Vegas During Jewelry Market Week 2023The Strip is full of new restaurant and entertainment offerings.
