Independents

Jewelry Industry Veteran Albert Solomon Dies at 86

IndependentsNov 27, 2017

Jewelry Industry Veteran Albert Solomon Dies at 86

He opened his first store in the 1950s and thereafter dedicated his entire life to jewelry.

20171127_Solomon-header.jpg
Longtime retailer Albert Solomon, pictured here with his wife Beverly, died last week at the age of 86. Solomon opened his first jewelry store in the 1950s. He went on to run the jewelry departments at TSS Seedman’s stores and found the location for what became Solomons Jewelers.

New York--Albert Solomon, a longtime retailer known for his honesty and dedication to the jewelry industry, died last week at the age of 86.

Solomon opened his first jewelry store in the 1950s in the town of Huntington, N.Y. along with his two best friends, a venture that marked the start of a decades-long career in jewelry.

In the early 1960s, the trio started another store called the Long Island Diamond Exchange, located in front of Roosevelt Field mall, which opened in 1956.

“My father ran the business,” said his son, Marc Solomon. “My father really did everything; he did all the hiring and the buying of the jewelry.”

Later, Solomon headed the jewelry departments of Times Square Stores, also known as TSS Seedman’s, a chain of department stores in the New York area that operated until 1989.

In the late 1970s, he helped his then 19-year-old son Marc find the space that would become the family jewelry store, Solomons Jewelers, which now has been in business for 40 years and has two locations, in Plainview and Albertson, New York.

Marc Solomon said his father continued to come into the family-owned and -operated stores a couple times a week, right up until he passed away.

“He was just the most amazing human being,” he said. “His love for the jewelry industry was second to none.”


Albert Solomon (far left) with wife Beverly “Boshie” Solomon and son Marc. Marc said he and his father were the only father-and-son pair elected to two terms each as president of the New York State Jewelers Association.

Albert Solomon also was a certified appraiser and senior charter member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers, a former president of the Jewelers of America board of directors and of the New York State Jewelers Association, and completed the diamond course at the GIA.

He was inducted into the National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame in 1999, alongside Stanley Pollack and Ralph Destino.

Outside of the jewelry industry, he loved cars and traveling, and was among the families who founded the Plainview Jewish Center on Floral Drive in Plainview, New York.

Solomon is survived by his wife of 62 years Beverly “Boshie” Solomon; sons Marc (Deborah) and Robert (Lisa); daughter Stacey (Marc Sachs); and grandchildren Jordan (Sydney), Eric, Ian (Breanne), Jesse, Samantha and Dylan.

Services took place Friday in Woodbury, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, the family
asks that donations be made to the Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview, NY 11803.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

De Beers rough diamonds in someone’s hand
Policies & IssuesNov 27, 2024
G7 Announces Botswana as Second Verification ‘Node’ for Rough Diamonds

Botswana joins Antwerp as a certification center for rough under the G7 ban on Russian diamonds.

Gemfields high-quality emeralds
SourcingNov 27, 2024
Gemfields Reports 'Disappointing' High-Quality Emerald Auction Results

The miner said its November sale, which earned $16.1 million, felt the effect of competitive pricing by a rival Zambian producer.

Mignon Faget Crescent Starry Night Tassel Earrings
CollectionsNov 27, 2024
Piece of the Week: Mignon Faget’s ‘Crescent Starry Night’ Tassel Earrings

Mignon Faget honors its hometown of New Orleans with a piece inspired by “The Crescent City.”

Jewelers Mutual Group Cybersecurity
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for Jewelers

From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.

Team from Nivoda in the New York City Diamond District
TechnologyNov 27, 2024
Nivoda Secures Additional Funding

The London-based business-to-business diamond and gemstone marketplace just closed on a $51 million round of Series C funding.

Weekly QuizNov 26, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Forever Present Campaign Me Myself & I
SourcingNov 26, 2024
De Beers Stays With ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ for 2024 Holiday Campaign

“Forever Present” highlights gifting opportunities for natural diamonds, celebrating familial, friendship, and romantic relationships.

Suzanne Belperron jewelry
AuctionsNov 26, 2024
Christie’s To Auction Collection of Suzanne Belperron Jewels

It’s one of the most impressive assemblages of the French designer’s pieces ever to come to auction, Christie’s said.

Article-Top-Image.jpg
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYC

This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.

National Jeweler columnist Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsNov 26, 2024
The Smart Lab: 7 Strategies for Refining Your Holiday Email Marketing Campaigns

Successful email marketing campaigns are all about timing, personalization, and compelling CTAs, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Lisa Bridge and Dr. Wendy Bohrson
MajorsNov 26, 2024
GIA’s Board of Governors Adds 2 New Members

Retail leader Lisa Bridge and geology professor Dr. Wendy Bohrson joined the organization’s board.

Ben Bridge Benny Bear
MajorsNov 26, 2024
Ben Bridge Jeweler Unveils This Year’s ‘Benny Bear’

Look out for a black bear wearing a purple Santa hat and its zippered tummy pouch made for holding a holiday gift from Ben Bridge Jeweler.

William Goldberg book
SourcingNov 25, 2024
William Goldberg Celebrates 2 Major Milestones With New Book

“The William Goldberg Way” was released in honor of the company’s 75th anniversary and 25 years of its proprietary Ashoka diamond.

Lusix Lab Grown Diamonds at JCK Las Vegas 2022
Lab-GrownNov 25, 2024
Lab-Grown Co. Lusix Sold to 2 Companies for $4M

Fenix and Dholakia Lab-Grown Diamonds have jointly acquired the Israel-based company, which grows diamonds using solar power.

Original Miami Beach Antique Show sign
Events & AwardsNov 25, 2024
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Panel to Feature Fred Savage

The actor and watch enthusiast will be part of the show’s education lineup.

CD Peacock Mansion in Oak Brook, Illinois
EditorsNov 22, 2024
Out & About: Inside the CD Peacock Mansion

Step inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.

Xander Jane earrings
CollectionsNov 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Xander Jane’s ‘Spiked’ Pearl Studs

These punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.

Facets of Fire Pear and Marquise Diamonds
SourcingNov 22, 2024
Facets of Fire Expands to Include Pear, Marquise Diamonds

The company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.

5 main.jpg
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry Catalog

Sponsored by Tasha R

18-karat gold Tiffany & Co. pocket watch Captain Arthur Rostron
AuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2M

Three Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.

Harris Jewelry storefront
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund Requests

A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.

Cynthia Erivo wearing Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo collection
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ Collection

Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.

Rocksbox San Francisco store
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San Francisco

The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.

Sotheby’s New York building
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax Fraud

The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.

Kering logo
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability Focus

The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.

Model wearing pieces from Camera Oscura collection
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New Collection

The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.

Columbia Gem House “Pebbles to Pines” fundraiser
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation Efforts

The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.

The jewelry symposium 2025
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship Applications

The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.

×

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