Aimed at a generation that emphasizes self-care and mental health, “Worth the Wait” breaks new ground in the world of diamond advertising.
Seymour Holtzman of CD Peacock Dies at 88
He was remembered by loved ones as “an authentic, original American entrepreneur.”
He was 88.
Holtzman was born in 1935 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to Max and Bella Holtzman. He was the youngest of four. Later in life, he moved to Palm Beach, Florida.
He married his wife Evelyn (Evie) in 1957 and they had two sons, Marc and Steven, and a daughter, Allison.
In a statement to National Jeweler, his family remembered him as “an authentic, original American entrepreneur” who listed his first company on the New York Stock Exchange at age 32.
“During his incredible life, he successfully grew, acquired, and turned around more than a dozen businesses in publishing, retail, jewelry manufacturing, banking, and a nationwide men’s clothing chain with 450 stores.”
He purchased C.D. Peacock in 1993 following the bankruptcy of its former owner, Birks.
The storied jeweler, formerly called The House of Peacock, was founded in February 1837 and has had a number of high-profile clients. It’s said to be where President Abraham Lincoln purchased Mary Todd’s engagement ring.
Holtzman ran the store for nearly two decades before transferring leadership to his son Steven in 2022.
C.D. Peacock recently opened its new 20,000-square-foot store in a shopping center just outside of Chicago.
In addition to C.D. Peacock, Holtzman owned a Rolex boutique in Miami, and was the chairman and largest shareholder of Destination XL Group, a retailer of “big and tall” apparel for men, from 2006 to 2020, according to his website.
He was CEO and board chairman of Gruen Marketing Corporation, an American Stock Exchange-listed company that distributed watches.
He also was president and chief executive officer of retail chain Jewelcor Inc.
Outside of retail, Holtzman served as national finance co-chairman for the Reagan-Bush campaign and later was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Industry Policy Advisory Committee for trade policy matters.
“As a pioneer in opening markets in Eastern Europe to his service under President Reagan, he set the standard for living a life based on a strong sense of ethics, high character and integrity,” said his family.
As for his philanthropic efforts, he recently partnered with Jewelers of America on the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship, which will provide tuition assistance to two low-income students looking to train as bench jewelers.
Holtzman has been honored as “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Cardinal Cushing School and Training Center and “Man of the Year” by the B’nai B’rith Youth Services.
Outside of work, he was an avid sportsman, a biker, and a former dance instructor at Arthur Murray.
Greg Cant, president of Holtzman’s alma mater Wilkes University, told the Wilkes-Barre-based Times Leader, “Seymour was a spirited guy right to the end. He loved life and he always lived it to the fullest. [He] was always an ambitious guy who exceeded his wildest dreams. There will never be another Seymour Holtzman.”
While he found success in business, his greatest love was his wife of nearly 67 years, Evie, and his family, they said.
“Seymour’s life, as witnessed by all who knew him, was certainly full, and he leaves behind an enduring legacy,” the family said.
He is survived by his wife, Evie; sons, Marc and Steven; daughter, Allison; daughters-in-law Kristen and Qi Holtzman; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Wilkes University.
The Latest
Editor Lauren McLemore immersed herself in New York Bridal Fashion Week to better understand the role fine jewelry plays on the big day.
The jeweler shared her change of heart on lab-grown diamonds and why she keeps them separate from natural diamonds in her business ventures.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
They’re available through a retailer that sells luxury products inspired by the lifestyle of Batman’s billionaire civilian persona.
The watchmaker is selling 1,000 “Waterbury” watches for $1 each in celebration of its 170th anniversary.
Launched by De Beers in 2018, the program aims to develop a responsible sourcing model for the artisanal/small-scale diamond mining sector.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
The new “Ouche” collection brings sculptural designs to the brand, while the expanded “Daystar” collection brings a rainbow of colors.
The auction house said the gemstone could fetch up to $5.5 million at next month’s sale.
From prioritizing the customer experience to optimizing inventory, columnist Emmanuel Raheb shares the keys to a successful holiday season.
Journalist Priya Raj plans to use the scholarship funds to further her media qualifications and amplify marginalized communities.
It marks the first championship win in the team’s 28-year history.
It will start with rough diamonds that are larger than 1.25 carats and later expand to rough diamonds that are above 1 carat.
The capsule collection is inspired by friendship and connection, with a nod to ‘80s fashion.
The New York socialite’s elegant, transformable piece from the 1960s is headed to auction later this month.
Texas jeweler Susan Eisen and NAJA’s Gail Brett Levine discuss how lab-grown diamonds have altered the landscape for jewelry appraisers.
On the verge of retirement, Kennedy recounts the most stressful stretch of his time at JSA and reveals what he’ll miss about the industry.
Signet Jewelers CEO Gina Drosos’ secrets to success are listening to her team and leaning on data to make decisions.
Part of the Welsh singer’s extensive jewelry collection, the bathtub-shaped Cartier watch went for nearly $72,000 at Sotheby’s Paris.
He dedicated his life to researching, writing, and speaking about gemstones in the hope he could inspire others to share his passion.
The event is slated for Oct. 17-19.
12 spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.
Though they didn’t grow up together, siblings Ronald Leitzel and Tonia Leitzel Ulsh have grown together as co-owners of Mountz Jewelers.
The men allegedly posed as employees of a local energy company to gain entry to Hussein Murray’s home and then killed him in the basement.
Sales slipped 4 percent in the third quarter in an environment the company described as economically and politically uncertain.
The U.S. presidential election, inflation, and the aftermath of recent hurricanes could all have an impact on spending.