SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
