Independents

Seymour Holtzman of CD Peacock Dies at 88

IndependentsJun 07, 2024

Seymour Holtzman of CD Peacock Dies at 88

He was remembered by loved ones as “an authentic, original American entrepreneur.”

Seymour Holtzman
Seymour Holtzman, the owner of C.D. Peacock, died at the age of 88 on May 28.
Palm Beach, Fla.—Seymour Holtzman, owner of Chicago-area jeweler C.D. Peacock, died May 28.

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


Lenore Fedowis the senior editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

The Latest

Two images of Adam Heyman in Sri Lanka
MajorsFeb 06, 2025
Oscar Heyman Employee Celebrates 60 Years With the Company

Adam Heyman joined the family business in 1965, just weeks after graduating from Columbia Business School.

De Beers Jewellers Embrace Bracelet
CollectionsFeb 06, 2025
De Beers Jewellers’ New High Jewelry Pays Homage to the Beauty of Trees

The “Essence of Nature, Chapter One” collection echoes trees and roots, literally and figuratively, through three sets of high jewelry.

Stock image of a gavel
CrimeFeb 05, 2025
‘The Timepiece Gentleman’ Sentenced to 5-Plus Years Behind Bars

Luxury watch dealer Anthony Farrer pleaded guilty late last year to defrauding clients in a scheme with Ponzi-type elements.

Top Image.png
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored Gems

Colored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?

Pandora sparkling bow necklace
FinancialsFeb 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Double-Digit Growth After Strong Holiday Season

In its full-year results, the retailer shared its 2025 outlook and an update on the global rollout of its lab-grown diamond collection.

Weekly QuizFeb 06, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Seal & Scribe “Freedom Moon” Ring
TrendsFeb 05, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Feeling Fabulous in February

Celebrate February birthstones and the gem shows in Arizona this month with a versatile stone like amethyst.

Diamond Council of America logo
MajorsFeb 05, 2025
DCA Promotes Kristen Scheetz to Director of Education, Membership

Scheetz has been with the nonprofit since 2007.

Resolutions - 2025.jpg
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers

The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.

Trucks at the Orapa diamond mine in Botswana
SourcingFeb 04, 2025
New Deal With Botswana Is Done, De Beers Confirms

The agreement will allocate an increasing proportion of the country’s rough diamonds to the government of Botswana over the next decade.

Van Clef & Arpels Diane (Diana) Clip
Events & AwardsFeb 04, 2025
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Astronomy-Inspired Jewelry to Land at AMNH

“Cosmic Splendor: Jewelry From the Collections of Van Cleef & Arpels,” opens April 11 at the American Museum of Natural History.

Chocolate box ring by Mined + Found
SurveysFeb 04, 2025
Valentine’s Day Jewelry Spending Forecast to Hit Record High, Says NRF

Those celebrating Valentine’s Day this year are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on jewels, flowers, candy, and more.

Lady Gaga Tiffany & Co.  necklace worn to the 2025 Grammys
EditorsFeb 03, 2025
Best Jewelry Moments From the 2025 Grammy Awards

From Lady Gaga’s 1930s Tiffany & Co. necklace to Taylor Swift’s “T,” Michelle Graff recaps the night’s most memorable jewelry looks.

HSN+ QVC+ logos on a television, laptop, and phone screen
MajorsFeb 03, 2025
Qurate to Close HSN’s Florida HQ Amid Restructuring

Layoffs will reportedly start next month as HSN plans to move into QVC’s location in Pennsylvania.

Jewelry designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey looking at colored gemstones
EditorsFeb 03, 2025
Q&A: 5 Jewelry Designers on Shopping the 2025 Tucson Gem Shows

A group of creatives talked to Associate Editor Lauren McLemore about their approach to the annual Tucson gem, mineral, and fossil shows.

Elizabeth Taylor diamond bracelet
AuctionsJan 31, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Bracelet Outshines Estimate at U.K. Auction

The auction also featured the sale of a Cartier necklace made when Egyptomania was sweeping Great Britain.

Lalaounis Blossom Rosette charm
CollectionsJan 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lalaounis’ Good Luck Charm for 2025

The “Blossom Rosette” blooms with love, beauty, and hope for the year ahead.

Harvey Rovinsky, former owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers
IndependentsJan 31, 2025
Harvey Rovinsky, Longtime Owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers, Dies at 77

Rovinsky is remembered as a great mentor who made the employees of his stores feel like family.

Three diamonds in a row
Events & AwardsJan 31, 2025
Facets of Fire Has a Diamond Challenge for Retailers

For every jeweler who tries their luck, the company will make a donation to Jewelers for Children.

Women’s Jewelry Association logo
MajorsJan 30, 2025
WJA Chapter Leaders Resign as Fallout From DEI Remarks Snowballs

The boards of at least five chapters have resigned in response to controversial statements the WJA national board president made last month.

Jewelry writer and curator Melanie Grant
Policies & IssuesJan 30, 2025
RJC Executive Director Melanie Grant Is Stepping Down

An experienced jewelry writer and curator, Grant led the organization for two years.

Pharrell Williams and Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams Tahitian Pearl Necklace
CollectionsJan 30, 2025
Pharrell Williams Brings Tahitian Pearls to His New Tiffany & Co. Collection

Five new designs were added, all donning Tahitian cultured pearls and spear-like trident motifs, along with the new “Titan” setting.

Converge 2025 logo
Events & AwardsJan 30, 2025
Registration Open for Converge 2025

The inaugural event is being co-hosted by the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America.

Annie Doresca, Jake Duneier, John W. Ford Sr., Margot Grinberg, and Ivette Stephanopoulos
MajorsJan 30, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Elects 5 New Members

Jewelers of America’s Annie Doresca and AGTA CEO John W. Ford Sr. are among the new members.

Boucheron Scarabée Rhinocéros ring/brooch and Chardon necklace
CollectionsJan 29, 2025
Boucheron’s High Jewelry Takes the Form of ‘Untamed Nature’

The jeweler’s latest high jewelry collection looks into the Boucheron archives to create a “living encyclopedia of high jewelry.”

Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff
FinancialsJan 29, 2025
LVMH Watch, Jewelry Sales End the Year Down

Watch and jewelry sales slipped 3 percent in 2024, though the luxury conglomerate did see business pick up in the fourth quarter.

Olivier Kessler-Gay
MajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for US

Olivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.

Stock image of couple shopping for jewelry
SurveysJan 29, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips for Second Consecutive Month

It hit a four-month low in January due to concerns about the job market, though consumers remain bullish about the stock market.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy