Fancy Color Research Foundation Names New CEO
Roy Safit took over the role on Jan. 1.

Safit succeeds Miri Chen.
The new executive brings more than 25 years of experience in building technology-laden platforms.
He also has experience serving business users in the diamond industry. According to his LinkedIn profile, he was head of corporate development for international diamond brokering and consulting group I Hennig & Co. Ltd. from 2015 to 2018.
FCRF said Safit is poised to strengthen FCRF’s position as a leader in the market and has a “solid track record” of negotiating complex contracts, managing sales teams, and leading business development efforts.
In his new role, he will engage directly with FCRF members and stakeholders across the market.
His entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on experience in market analysis and business development make him uniquely suited to lead the organization into its next phase, added FCRF.
"I am honored to take on the role of CEO and lead the FCRF in its mission to cultivate appreciation for natural color diamonds," said Safit.
“FCRF is uniquely positioned to bring real value to the fancy color domain, from mining companies to top retailers and anyone in between. Moreover, FCRF solutions create unparalleled value for jewelry connoisseurs who collect fancy color diamonds."
Safit, addressing FCRF members, said, “Your insights and experiences will be invaluable as we chart our path forward together. I am eager to hear from you and understand how we can continue to drive your growth and deliver meaningful value to the market.”
FCRF said it looks forward to a bright future under Safit’s leadership, confident that his vision, expertise, and strategic approach will guide the organization toward continued success.
“We have exciting new tools and technologies to introduce to the market, and I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about what’s in store,” Safit said. “Together, we will create impactful solutions for the fancy color diamond industry.”
FCRF provides solutions for establishing value in the fancy color diamond domain, including key market valuation services, rarity reports, and market intelligence, as well as the Fancy Color Diamond Index.
Its tools are designed to help miners, manufacturers, jewelers, traders, and investors make informed decisions when bringing fancy color goods to market.
The Latest

The third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.

The class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.

The show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.


The retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.

Daniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

In our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”

The industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.

Founder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.

The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.

The five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.

Steven Lerche is now beginning his term as the youngest member to become president of The Plumb Club’s elected executive committee.

Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.

The jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.

The new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.

One is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.

In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.

9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.

The jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.

The exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.

Marquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.

The inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.

The family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.

Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.

The reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
























