WatchesJun 30, 2026
Pokémon Fans Will Want to Catch This New G-Shock WatchThe new watch commemorates Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.
IndependentsMay 15, 2018
Retailer Hall of Fame 2018 Inductees: Dror and Helene Zadok
The Houston jewelers put customer service, integrity and honesty before the sale.
Helene and Dror Zadok started Zadok Jewelers in Houston, Texas, in 1976, and have since grown it to be 10 times its original size.
It’s amazing when you think about it: What was supposed to be a temporary visit to the United States led to the start of a jewelry store that put roots down, expanded, and is still a part of its community four decades later.
Click here to read the full story in the Retailer Hall of Fame issue.
That’s how it was for Dror and Helene Zadok, and their store, Zadok Jewelers. The couple is being honored this year as the inductees into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame in the Single-Store Independent category.
The couple had been living in Israel. The Yom Kippur War had Helene’s mother worrying about her daughter and her family. So to ease her mind, Dror, Helene and their son (the first of three) went to Houston, where they had family, and expected to be there just a few years.
Because Dror’s family had been in the jewelry business for generations, the twosome went with what was familiar and opened Zadok Jewelers in 1976.
Though Helene says they “started out with more guts than brains,” clearly they had some idea what they were doing.
The store found itself in the black in the first year. Combine good results with a Houston community that was welcoming, and the Zadok family found it hard to leave.
A Family Affair
Today, Zadok Jewelers is still in its original location. It started out at approximately 1,200 square feet, but since has undergone a number of expansions and now spreads out more than 12,000 square feet.
The decision to expand the store rather than open additional locations was a conscious, thought-out one, Helene tells National Jeweler.
“We prefer it this way,” she says. “We’re full service. It’s all under one roof.”
Not to mention, they wanted to keep the entire family in one location. Their team also now includes their three sons, Jonathan, Segev and Gilad.
They come by it naturally.
The Zadoks’ sons now represent the seventh generation in jewelry, an immense source of pride for them. In fact, for Dror, the conversation around his induction into the Hall of Fame couldn’t be complete without the mention of his family, and especially his wife.
“It’s very important to mention that without my wife, I would not … be where I am today. She’s my co-everything. She was right next to me.”
The current exterior of the Zadok Jewelers store in Houston, Texas
Zadok Jewelers as it looks on the inside today
The interior of the original Zadok Jewelers store in the late 1970s, before its first expansion
Dror and Helene represent the “top of the line” when it comes to integrity and family values, says JB Star founder and designer Rafael Fouzailoff, who has known the two for three decades.
“The proof is in the pudding. They have raised these amazing boys. The business represents itself so well.”
Zadok is a humble man, according to those who work with him. It shows not only in the way he speaks, but also in how he interacts with people.
“Even though he’s the owner of the store, he’s always respectful,” Fouzailoff says. “He’s always dressed professionally. And he doesn’t look down on anybody.”
He continues, “I have a deep appreciation of his ethics. The way he approaches people, whether they are vendors or not, is with total respect.”
Her husband was brought up to be humble and modest, Helene notes, and lives by the idea that even in difficult circumstances, one has to behave honorably.
“We’ve branded the family because you can’t reproduce us. Even though we might have many brands, we are who we are.” — Helene Zadok
This resonates in Dror’s personal mantra: always be honest. If someone comes into the store with a piece they bought elsewhere and asks if it is a good value, he makes it a point to always tell the truth.
“He knows that you don’t disparage something just because it wasn’t purchased in our store, because you want that person to realize you’re going to be honest no matter what,” Helene says.
For anyone who talks to family and friends about Helene, it’s more than clear that she shares the same set of standards and ethics. But it’s especially apparent when talking to her about their sons.
“We are so proud that when we go to trade shows, people in the industry come up to us and tell us how wonderful it is to work with our sons, how respectful they are, how quietly knowledgeable they are,” she says. “There’s no arrogance, no sense of entitlement, and they have integrity. And that’s how we want our image to be.”
The two make the perfect combination to lead the store, Fouzailoff says, in both their work ethics and their values.
Rina Limor agrees, noting that Dror’s polite and soothing demeanor with customers and clients complements Helene’s incredible ability to coordinate and organize a large team and run the business according to the strictest standards.
But for the New York-based jewelry designer, it goes beyond this. For her, the Zadoks are “like family,” which seems to be a common sentiment when conversations about the store’s relationships with its vendors come up.
“It’s so great to work with people you know so well inside and out,” she says. “They are wonderful people.”
The Zadok family has been in the jewelry business for generations, with Dror representing the sixth and his sons, the seventh. Pictured here from left to right: Jonathan, Gilad, Helene, Dror and Segev Zadok.
For about 20 years, Limor has attended the Christmas event the store holds for customers, and she says the Zadoks always go above and beyond for her.
“They always take care of my accommodations. But it’s more than that,” she says. “They worry about my lunches, my dinners, everything.”
Their sense of community, customer service and especially family is so strong, in fact, that Helene believes it’s what separates them from other stores.
“We’ve branded the family because you can’t reproduce us. Even though we might have many brands, we are who we are.”
The ‘Unofficial Mayor’
The Zadoks’ treatment of customers is the same as their treatment of vendors: with respect, and like family.
They’ve put the creation of an unforgettable shopping experience for their customers, and the best customer service, at the top of the priority list for Zadok Jewelers.
“This is how we’ve stayed here all these years. Hundreds, literally hundreds, of stores have closed,” Dror says, referring to the number of independent jewelers who have gone out of business in recent years. “And thankfully we’re still here. We have generations of customers. We have three or four generations coming in.”
“We are so proud that when we go to trade shows, people in the industry come up to us and tell us how wonderful it is to work with our sons, how respectful they are, how quietly knowledgeable they are. There’s no arrogance, no sense of entitlement, and they have integrity. And that’s how we want our image to be.” — Helene Zadok
The store’s slogan is: “You’re only a stranger once at Zadok Jewelers.” For them, it’s more than just a tagline; it’s been the store’s philosophy for decades.
“We value integrity and always remember we are here because of our customers,” Dror says. “We want to focus on making a customer, not a sale.”
And customers value their interactions with Dror, whom his wife describes as a magnetic “people person.”
“He’ll walk into a restaurant, and you’d think that he was the owner. Everyone comes. He shakes hands. He knows three-quarters of the people there. Anywhere he goes, he’s like his own ambassador without really knowing that he is. People just gravitate towards him.”
Helene says he’s like the “unofficial mayor of Houston.”
It’s a fitting title since Dror, Helene and the team at Zadok Jewelers have made such a point to ingratiate themselves into and give back to the community that welcomed them so warmly all those decades ago.
In 2015, U.S. District Judge David Hittner asked Dror and Helene to be a part of a naturalization ceremony in Houston, where they shared their success story with more than 2,000 new citizens.
The business has gotten involved with many different charitable organizations, supports the arts and helped with Hurricane Harvey disaster relief.
They are there for customers when they have been nominees or honorees for awards, and have been guests at many weddings, personal events and Christmas parties.
“We try to always keep in touch on the personal side, not only on the business side,” Dror says.
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsJun 30, 2026
Saks Global Emerges From Bankruptcy With New NameThe luxury retailer is now called Exemplar Luxury Group.
CollectionsJun 30, 2026
Jade Ruzzo’s New Collection Embodies the Art of Being a LadyThe “Lady” collection is a new take on old beauty standards with gemstone-adorned hair pins and combs, a compact mirror necklace, and more.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJun 30, 2026
Blue Nile Introduces Montana Sapphire CollectionThe new line is included in the e-tailer’s curation of jewelry celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingJun 30, 2026
AGS Opens 2026 Recertification ExamAll active members who earned their credential or designation before Dec. 1, 2025, are required to recertify.
CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
