Ostbye & Anderson Acquires Fellow Midwest Manufacturer
The Minneapolis-based company bought Victor Corporation, which has been making jewelry in Cincinnati since 1946.

On Monday, Ostbye & Anderson Inc. announced it has acquired the Victor Corporation, a Cincinnati-based diamond jewelry manufacturer that’s been in business for nearly eight decades.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ostbye said it will be retaining all Victor Corporation’s territory managers and some of its employees, who will work remotely.
Victor’s Cincinnati headquarters will close, and it will operate as a division of Ostbye based in Minneapolis and led by Tom Schlotman, Victor Corporation’s senior vice president.
As a division of Ostbye, Victor Corporation will continue to manufacture its best-selling collections—“Heirloom Elegance Bridal,” “Fabulous Fireflies,” and “Stackables Bands” —as well as several of its other designs.
The company’s president, John Youkilis, whose father Victor Youkilis started Victor Corporation in 1946, is retiring.
Commenting on the acquisition, he said, “Craig [MacBean, Ostbye president] and I became good friends over the years by serving together on industry boards and it was clear our companies shared the same values and passion for supporting the independent jeweler.
“It’s been an honor for Victor to serve the independent jeweler for the past 78 years. I am incredibly grateful for those who trusted us to be their partner and will forever be thankful to the many Victor employees who made us who are today.”
Ostbye said the acquisition is a “significant milestone” in its mission to continue serving independent jewelers.
“I have always admired John Youkilis and the Victor Corporation. For Ostbye to be trusted to carry on their legacy is something I am very proud of,” MacBean said.
“For two U.S.A. companies with [a combined] 182 years of serving the independent jeweler to come together is incredible and another example of what makes our industry so special. The combination of these two comprehensive product lines, quality sales teams, and extensive service offerings with best-in-class technology gives the independent jeweler more support than ever before.”
Ostbye was founded in 1920, and MacBean is the fourth generation of the family to lead the company.
Its collections include bridal jewelry, anniversary bands, women’s diamond fashion jewelry, men’s jewelry, colored gemstone jewelry, and the “Marriage Symbol” collection, as well as its “Thru the Store” marketing programs.
The company has been selected as buying group RJO’s “Vendor of the Year” 12 times, as IJO’s “Supplier of the Year,” and ranked fifth on Instore’s 2023 list of best-performing brands, which is based on the magazine’s Big Survey.
The Latest

The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.

The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.

Its opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Respondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”


“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.

The online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.

Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.

A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.

The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.