AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
IndependentsDec 19, 2019
Martin Siegel, Hamilton Jewelers Chairman, Dies at 86
The second-generation jeweler was remembered as “the happiest, proudest and most loving husband, father and grandfather.”
Martin Siegel, chairman of Hamilton Jewelers, died Tuesday at the age of 86.
Princeton, N.J.—Martin Siegel, chairman of Hamilton Jewelers, died on Dec. 17 at the age of 86.
He was born in Trenton, New Jersey, the son of jeweler Irving Siegel and his wife, Alice.
Siegel graduated from Duke University and went on to serve in the U.S. Army Artillery in Germany from 1953 to 1954.
After returning from the armed forces, he joined his father at Hamilton Jewelers, where he was elected president in 1968.
Siegel split his time between the Northeast, where the original Hamilton Jewelers is located, and Palm Beach, Florida, where two additional locations opened.
Hamilton Jewelers said Siegel was instrumental in its rise from a local business to a household name in the industry, citing his innovative merchandising and marketing initiatives.
The jeweler credits its success in part to Siegel’s business philosophy—focus on quality and building friendly relationship-based business practices.
Siegel served as chairman of Hamilton Jewelers from 1994 until his death, giving him the opportunity to mentor employees and share his experience and knowledge.
“Mr. Siegel had a merchant’s eye and a keen sense for design and value,” Hamilton Jewelers said in a statement announcing his passing.
Siegel was said to be among the first jewelers in the United States to make room in his display cases for special Rolex timepieces with rare gem-set cases and bezels and stone dials, purchased with his Palm Beach clients in mind.
He had an eye for up-and-coming designers, taking an interest in their collections before they made it big.
Taking a page from his father’s book, it was common for Siegel to help a customer find an engagement ring and accept no payment, making a handshake agreement that the customer would pay whenever they were able to do so.
He received the shopper’s trust, and a customer for life, in return.
Outside of work, Siegel enjoyed sports. He played soccer and tennis in his younger years, including on the Duke University tennis team.
He kept playing tennis throughout his life, serving as the chair of the Tennis Committee at Greenacres Country Club in New Jersey for years, and, later on, took up golf.
Siegel was active in his communities as well, both in the New Jersey area and Palm Beach.
He supported the Trenton Little League of New Jersey for more than 50 years and received the Crusade Citation from the American Cancer Society for his leadership in 1982.
Denise and Martin Siegel were honored in May for their service to Greenwood House, a senior living and care facility in New Jersey.
New Jersey senior living and care facility Greenwood House honored Martin and his wife Denise at a charity gala in May for their years of support to the care center.
Siegel also sponsored children in Latin America for more than 20 years and was said to feel especially proud when he heard they graduated from upper school.
Hamilton Jewelers remembered Siegel as an eternal optimist, even when diagnosed with advanced squamous cell cancer 10 years ago.
“He remained unfailingly optimistic, keeping the cancer at bay and relishing in the 10 additional years he lived after his victory over the disease.”
In those 10 years, Siegel experience the birth of his youngest grandchild and the wedding of his oldest, spending time with the family he loved and at the Hamilton Jewelers stores.
“With all of his life’s accomplishments, and the people he cherished along the way, he loved and cherished his family most of all,” the company said.
“The patriarch of the Siegel family, he was the happiest, proudest and most loving husband, father and grandfather.”
Siegel is survived by his wife Denise; sons Hank (Lisette), Jeffrey (Heidi), Scott (Lucy), and Peter (Kari); and grandchildren Andrew (Betsey), Benjamin, Emily, Ellie, Hannah, Jake and Abigail.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Rita Goodman.
A service is planned for Friday at 2 p.m. at Adath Israel Congregation in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to The Martin Siegel Community Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation or to Greenwood House in Ewing, New Jersey.
More on Independents
The Latest
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
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.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
