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.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
CrimeAug 25, 2026
Florida Woman Scammed Out of $1.5M in Jewelry, Precious MetalsTwo suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.
ColumnistsAug 25, 2026
Proof Before Purchase: The Gen Z Way to BuyIn her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Events & AwardsAug 25, 2026
SSEF Opens 2026 Applications for Gemology Education ScholarshipsThe annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.
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.
TrendsAug 25, 2026
Brent Neale Celebrates Blackberry Farm’s Anniversary With JewelryThe jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.
Weekly QuizAug 20, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsAug 24, 2026
Q&A: Reeds Jewelers VP Genna Zimmer on 80 Years in BusinessThe third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
Rio Grande, MetalWerx Host Argentium Silver WorkshopThe class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
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.
Events & AwardsAug 24, 2026
JIS Miami Opens Fall 2026 RegistrationThe show is slated for Oct. 16-19 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
CollectionsAug 24, 2026
Francesca Villa Honors Napoleon, His Empresses In New CapsuleThe “Empresses” capsule uses 19th-century medals depicting Napoleon, Joséphine, and Marie-Louise across five one-of-a-kind pieces.
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
WatchesAug 21, 2026
Bremont Names Former Vacheron Constantin Exec CMODaniel Bing was formerly the marketing director for the Americas at Vacheron Constantin.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2026
MJSA Education Foundation Names 5 Scholarship WinnersThe five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
