“The William Goldberg Way,” created by the Goldberg family in collaboration with jewelry expert Jill Newman and writer Jackie Caradonio, highlights the history of diamantaire William Goldberg and the jewelry company he built.
Editor’s Note: This story was altered post-publication to correctly identify Barry Berg. He is William Goldberg’s son-in-law, married to his daughter Deborah.
New York—Diamond jewelry company William Goldberg has released a new book in celebration of 75 years in business and the 25th anniversary of its proprietary Ashoka diamond.
Founder William Goldberg, who died in 2003, was known for his role in transforming and expanding New York City’s Diamond District, so much so that the City of New York named 48th Street between Fifth and Madison avenues after him.
That block is known today as “William Goldberg Way,” which shares its name with the title of the book.
“The William Goldberg Way” highlights Goldberg’s bold approach to diamond cutting and the creation of the Ashoka cut.
It also features archival visuals, as well as first-hand accounts about some of the world’s most famous diamonds handled by Goldberg, such as the largest known fancy red diamond, the 5.11-carat stone now known as “The Moussaieff Red.”
William’s wife Lili, son Saul, daughter Eve, son-in-law Barry Berg (who is married to William’s daughter Deborah), and grandson Benjamin Goldberg run the business today.
From left, Saul Goldberg, Barry Berg, Eve Goldberg, and Benjamin Goldberg at the launch event for “The William Goldberg Way”
The family collaborated with jewelry expert Jill Newman and writer Jackie Caradonio to create the limited-edition book.
At an event celebrating its release, Only Natural Diamonds Editor-in-Chief Sam Broekema sat down with Newman and Eve Goldberg to discuss the making of the book.
“I reached out to many people in the industry, and everyone wanted to talk about Bill Goldberg,” Newman said. “Everyone had a story because he was so big and gregarious, and he was such a character.”
Eve and other members of the Goldberg family also shared stories throughout the night of William’s most memorable characteristics, such as his integrity, his passion, his many quotes, and his influence on the industry as a whole.
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For years, Eve had been collecting mementos from the family business, including her mother’s archives and travel diaries.
“I have a drawer that is full of everything, all historical things from the company,” she said. “I have my father’s old passports, his ID cards, I saved his price lists, I saved everything.”
Because this year marks two major milestones for the company, it seemed like the perfect time to put it all into a book.
The book also includes William Goldberg’s more modern history, including the legacy of the Ashoka, its proprietary elongated antique cushion diamond cut.
Though its exact history is somewhat of a mystery, the Ashoka gained visibility when Harry Winston purchased one from an Indian trader in 1947 and, later, sold it to Mexican actress and jewelry collector María Félix.
Named for second-century B.C. Buddhist Emperor Ashoka, the diamond was said to possess the power to “remove sorrow and bring joy.”
William and Saul had admired the stone from afar, and in 1988, when the 41.37 carat, D-color, flawless diamond came up for auction, Saul went to the sale and bid for it, unfortunately to no avail.
In the end, the diamond sold to an anonymous bidder, and its whereabouts are unknown to this day.
The Goldbergs spent years recreating the cut in their version, ultimately developing their now-patented Ashoka cut.
“It was the first time there was a new diamond cut in decades and decades,” Newman said.
Today, William Goldberg owns both the Ashoka trademark and the exclusive rights to produce and distribute diamonds in this configuration, which they do through exclusive partnerships with retailers worldwide.
Along with the book, the company is releasing a limited-edition capsule jewelry collection in honor of the Ashoka’s 25th anniversary.
The “Talisman” collection, which will launch later this year, is inspired by the stone’s distinctive cut and its power to “remove sorrow and bring joy.”
William Goldberg also has created a limited-edition timepiece featuring 25 Ashoka-cut diamonds surrounding the watch’s pavé diamond face.
“The William Goldberg Way” is available for purchase on the William Goldberg website.
