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

Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.


The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.

She wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.

Two pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.

The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.

Led by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.

In his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.

José Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.

It has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.

The company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.

The retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.

Of the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.

Megan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.

Following decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.

The museum’s new exhibition will feature one of Jesse Owen’s Olympic medals, Yogi Berra’s crown, Super Bowl rings, and more.

The new program provides access to media exposure and editorial opportunities for exhibitors and retailers.

The “Eclipse” jewelry collection captures the fleeting moment where light and shadow align though onyx, diamonds, and freshwater pearls.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
























