The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Trabert & Hoeffer Closing Auction Totals $1.2 Million
The Chicago jeweler partnered with auction house Leslie Hindman to sell off inventory before closing its doors this month.

Chicago—Jeweler Trabert & Hoeffer teamed up with auction house owner Hindman LLC to sell off some of its inventory before closing its last-standing location in Chicago this month.
The top lot was the platinum and diamond ring pictured below, featuring a 9.10 carat emerald-cut diamond, which sold for $160,000, just slightly below the estimate of $180,000 to $280,000.

A pair of Art Deco platinum, diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald double clip brooches sold for $15,000, at the high-end of the pre-auction estimate. The brooches, seen below, can be worn together or separately.

The Art Deco platinum, emerald, diamond and onyx brooch pictured below, featuring an oval-shaped cabochon emerald weighing approximately 117.22 carats, sold for $70,000, more than doubling the low-end of $35,000 to $55,000 range.

A pair of retro platinum and diamond earclips by Trabert & Hoeffer/Mauboussin, featuring 102 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 2.65 carats total, sold for $7,000, selling for above their $3,500 to $5,500 pre-sale estimate.
Meanwhile, a retro platinum, diamond and pink tourmaline brooch by Trabert & Hoeffer/Mauboussin valued between $15,000 and $20,000 was expected to be an auction standout, but it didn’t sell.
The first Trabert & Hoeffer store opened on New York’s Park Avenue in the 1930s, later expanding to Palm Beach, Florida; Beverly Hills, California; Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Chicago.
Chicago native Don Levinson bought the location in 1968 but will soon be retiring.
The Latest

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.


During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.

The online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.

The “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Robert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.

The announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.

Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.

Kenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.

The historic fancy vivid blue diamond set to headline Christie’s Geneva sale next month could sell for up to $50 million.

LVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.

The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”

The organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.

An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.

The collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.

Mari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.

GIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.

These earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.

Two experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.

Kentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.

“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.