SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at DiavikMajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement Plans
He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
Lewis Heyman, co-president and head stone buyer at Oscar Heyman, retired at the end of June 2025 following his 28th anniversary at the family-owned company.
New York—Lewis Heyman, co-president and head stone buyer at Oscar Heyman, has retired from the family business, the company announced this week.
In his 28 years with the colored gemstone and fine jewelry company, he worked alongside his uncle, brother, and other relatives.
During his tenure, he extended the brand’s gemstone relationships to include gem cutters from around the world—Australia, Brazil, Bangkok, Colombia, France, Hong Kong, Germany, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland.
He also represented the company through his involvement with industry groups including the 24 Karat Club, the American Gem Trade Association, and the New York Gemstone Association.
“We are grateful for Lewis’s unwavering commitment to excellence and the connections he has developed with the most reliable and trustworthy gem dealers around the world. Lewis will be missed, and his enthusiasm lives on in our gem acquisition team,” Oscar Heyman President Tom Heyman said in a press release about Lewis’s retirement.
Lewis added, “I enter retirement knowing that Oscar Heyman remains one of the finest jewelry brands in the world with a truly exceptional staff.”
Related stories will be right here …
In his 28 years with the colored gemstone and fine jewelry company, he worked alongside his uncle, brother, and other relatives.
During his tenure, he extended the brand’s gemstone relationships to include gem cutters from around the world—Australia, Brazil, Bangkok, Colombia, France, Hong Kong, Germany, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Switzerland.
He also represented the company through his involvement with industry groups including the 24 Karat Club, the American Gem Trade Association, and the New York Gemstone Association.
“We are grateful for Lewis’s unwavering commitment to excellence and the connections he has developed with the most reliable and trustworthy gem dealers around the world. Lewis will be missed, and his enthusiasm lives on in our gem acquisition team,” Oscar Heyman President Tom Heyman said in a press release about Lewis’s retirement.
Lewis added, “I enter retirement knowing that Oscar Heyman remains one of the finest jewelry brands in the world with a truly exceptional staff.”
After graduating from college, Lewis did a stint with the Peace Corps, during which he served as a teacher in Senegal.
He later went on to get a master’s degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
He joined Oscar Heyman’s gem sourcing team in 1997, continuing to pursue his love of travel and global connections.
Lewis traveled abroad several times each year to source premium quality gemstones while also managing and collaborating with a team of gemstone experts to ensure that every stone purchased for the company was of the highest quality.
In an interview with National Jeweler, Lewis said it wasn’t just the travel he enjoyed, but how he was able to connect with and learn from suppliers, dealers, cutters, lapidaries, and miners.
“You land in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and it’s a completely different world. People are on tuk tuks, and they walk a lot, and they drink a lot of tea, and you have to understand aspects of their culture,” he said.
“There’s a lot of commonalities,” he continued, noting that most of their dealings are with other family businesses, just like Oscar Heyman.
“One of the most exciting parts is [having] a list of stones to buy for a ring or a bracelet or earrings or whatever, but then you come upon something, and [the dealer] will pull a stone out of their pocket or wrapped in a diamond paper at the back of their safe and say, ‘Have you ever seen this? This is really special.’ And when you see those special stones, you try and grab them, if it makes sense,” he said.
“They’re unusual, they’re unique, and they tell a great story.”
Lewis, 67, retired in June.
He told National Jeweler that the pandemic played a role in his decision to retire, noting that things can “turn around very quickly” and he wanted to make the most of being active and able.
He also mentioned that his father, David Heyman, died at 66.
David was the son of Harry Heyman, who, with his brothers Oscar and Nathan Heyman, founded the family jewelry business in 1912. David also worked at the business for most of his life.
“My desires are to travel, to see the world and maybe apply myself in different ways, particularly with some volunteer activities,” said Lewis, who was calling from the West Coast, where he and his wife were visiting family and preparing for a day of hiking in the Cascades.
“I’m going to continue to learn and to grow.”
More on Majors
The Latest
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
