Independents

Amir Mozaffarian Fine Jewels To Close After 42 Years

IndependentsDec 27, 2019

Amir Mozaffarian Fine Jewels To Close After 42 Years

The fourth-generation jeweler will close his San Francisco store and spend retirement with his family.

20191227_Mozaffarian_header.jpg
Amir and Cynthia Mozaffarian are closing their store in San Francisco’s Union Square shopping district after 42 years in business.

San Francisco—Amir Mozaffarian Fine Jewels will close its doors after 42 years in business.

Amir Mozaffarian opened his eponymous store in San Francisco’s Union Square shopping district in 1978.

He is a fourth-generation jeweler whose family has been in the business for more than 135 years.

Though a descendant of a long line of jewelers, Amir and his wife, Cynthia Mozaffarian, both have backgrounds in engineering.

Amir has a master’s degree in aerospace engineering while Cynthia holds a bachelor’s in mechanical and civil engineering.

“Engineering is a frame of mind where you solve problems and come up with solutions,” Amir said in a press release announcing the store’s closure.

“That, along with paying close attention to even the finest of details, has helped us greatly in the jewelry industry.”

Cynthia worked for years as an engineer, helping her husband when she could, but later devoted herself to the family business.

“We just partnered to make our business stronger,” she said in the release. “That was what mattered the most to us.”

Over the last four decades, Mozaffarian traveled the world to hand-select jewels for his creations, like rubies from Burma and emeralds from Colombia.

“It’s a labor of love,” said Cynthia, noting how special a signature piece can be to their customers.

Jon Omer, a former Fabergé executive, said he knew from his first visit that the store was special and would be the perfect fit to be the brand’s exclusive retailer in the San Francisco area.

“Amir built the store’s success on three principles: building personal relationships with clients, an unparalleled collection of jewelry you won’t find anywhere else, and the ability to be one step ahead of the industry,” Omer said in the release.

Amir described his retirement as a bittersweet, emotional time and said his clients echoed the same sentiment, sharing memories of shopping in the store.

“We have such wonderful memories with so many fine people that we have been fortunate to meet. Some families we have served for three generations,” he said.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to meet a wide range of wonderful, interesting, talented and accomplished people. It’s been a pleasure being part of their lives,” said Cynthia.

However, retirement will mean the couple has more time to spend with their family, which includes their two sons, two daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren.

Their sons work in finance; they will not be taking over the store.

The store’s exact closing date will depend on inventory levels.

“We

hope people will visit the store to celebrate with us,” said Amir. “And share some happy memories.”
Lenore Fedowis the senior editor, news at National Jeweler, covering the retail beat and the business side of jewelry.

The Latest

Alan Zimmer
Events & AwardsMar 14, 2025
JVC Reveals Recipient of Stanley Schechter Award

Reeds Jewelers CEO Alan Zimmer will be presented with the honor at JVC’s annual luncheon.

Sorellina’s Aries Zodiac Pendant
CollectionsMar 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Sorellina’s Aries Zodiac Pendant

The piece, celebrating birthdays from March 21 to April 19, debuted with Sorellina’s new line of astrological pendants.

Tanishq Atlanta store
MajorsMar 13, 2025
Tanishq Opens 2 New Stores in the U.S.

The Indian jewelry brand recently opened stores in Atlanta and Seattle.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: GIA Field Gemology at the One-Hundredth Expedition: A Look Back and to the Future

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Woman wearing Brilliant Earth jewelry
FinancialsMar 13, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s 2024 Sales Struggled Amid Engagement Recovery

CEO Beth Gerstein shared its most popular price points, what’s trending in non-bridal fine jewelry, and its holiday performance.

Weekly QuizMar 14, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Chopard Insofu emerald collection
CollectionsMar 13, 2025
Chopard Unveils High Jewelry Collection Created From 6,225-Carat Emerald

The 15 pieces were crafted from the “Insofu” emerald, discovered in Zambia in 2010.

Chris Anderson
MajorsMar 13, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names New CFO, Treasurer

Chris Anderson is joining the insurance provider as the new chief financial officer and treasurer.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Jewelers of America’s new natural and lab-grown diamond brochure
Lab-GrownMar 13, 2025
JA Offering Some ‘Counter Intelligence’ on Diamonds

Jewelers of America is distributing a brochure for retailers to use when discussing the differences between natural and lab-grown diamonds.

A rough diamond and a polished diamond
SourcingMar 12, 2025
5 Factors That Will Impact the Diamond Industry in 2025

The industry is changing as it grapples with new realities around distribution, supply, and the need for consistent, effective marketing.

New Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council Chairman Kirit Bhansali
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Q&A: New GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali

Bhansali discusses the potential impact of U.S. tariffs, demand for diamonds by market, and the “cautious confidence” in India right now.

Limelight Lab Grown Diamond store in India
Lab-GrownMar 12, 2025
Beyond Jewelry: Possibilities in the Lab-Grown Diamond Sector

As lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.

Diamonds Do Good honoree Govind Dholakia at medical camp
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Indian Leader, Retailer Among 2025 DDG Honorees

Govind Dholakia and Tanishq will be recognized for their contributions to the industry at the Diamonds Do Good Awards in Las Vegas.

Medieval sapphire bishop ring
AuctionsMar 12, 2025
A Medieval Bishop’s Sapphire Ring Is Going Up for Sale

A metal detectorist discovered the ring that is believed to have belonged to a bishop in the late 12th to early 13th century.

JA New York sign
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
JA New York Announces Education, Live Demo Lineups

Organizers looked to new partnerships and interactive experiences to enhance the spring show, set for March 16 to 18.

Jewelers Vigilance Committee annual luncheon 2025 logo
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo to Speak at Annual JVC Luncheon

Kenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, will discuss the future of diamonds.

Jaythan Lawrence Gilder and body scan
CrimeMar 11, 2025
Man in Florida Swallows Allegedly Stolen Tiffany & Co. Jewelry

The suspect allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a store in Orlando and then swallowed it during a traffic stop.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsMar 11, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Pose on the Red Carpet

Ahead of the Gem Awards on Friday, Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share pro tips for taking the best photos.

Marco Bicego 25 Years Campaign Isabeli Fontana
CollectionsMar 11, 2025
Marco Bicego Celebrates 25 Years With Collection, Campaign

Founded in 2000, Marco Bicego is commemorating its milestone anniversary with a “25 Best” collection and campaigns honoring its heritage.

Hill & Co The List
TechnologyMar 11, 2025
Hill & Co. Launches New B2B Buyer Database

Those attending the company’s upcoming Zoom workshop will receive early access to “The List,” its new resource for finding buyers.

Amy-Elise Signeavsky GIA
Events & AwardsMar 11, 2025
JSA to Honor GIA Employee at Annual Luncheon

The organization will present an award to Amy-Elise Signeavsky, law enforcement and diamond recovery manager at GIA.

Picture of Terry Chandler, president and CEO of the Diamond Council of America
MajorsMar 10, 2025
Terry Chandler to Retire After 24 Years as Head of DCA

Chandler started his jewelry career at Michelson Jewelers, joining the Diamond Council of America as president and CEO in 2001.

MaeVona King of the Mountains Torc
CollectionsMar 10, 2025
MaeVona Co-Founder Debuts 3D-Printed ‘Tùsaire’ Collection

Scottish American designer Maeve Gillies collaborated with Platinum Guild International on jewelry created by direct metal 3D printing.

The Jewelry Symposium 2025 Scholarship Winners
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 2025 Scholarship Winners

Ahead of its trade show in May, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to five up-and-coming jewelry industry professionals.

Gem Awards New York City
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award

The 2025 Gem Awards are set to take place Friday at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Jane Fonda, America Ferrera, Mariska Hargitay, Laura Harrier, Mattia Furlani, Gianvito Martino, Sabina Belli in Pomellato International Women’s Day campaign
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Jane Fonda, Mariska Hargitay Star in Pomellato’s IWD Campaign

The annual star-studded campaign for International Women’s Day encourages collective action against domestic violence.

Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsMar 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yeprem’s ‘Golden Strada’ Necklace

The statement piece is seen in Yeprem’s new “You Play the Game” campaign, created for International Women’s Day.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy