Watch as Edahn Golan, Sherry Smith and Avi Levy join Michelle Graff to talk pricing and trends in this controversial corner of the market.
The Con Artist Who Claimed Ties to the ‘King of Diamonds’
A young man stands accused of seducing women by posing as the son of billionaire diamantaire Lev Leviev.
Wealthy, attractive and attentive, he seduced women upon meeting them with impromptu trips on private jets, his status as the son of an oligarch cemented by the constant presence of an entourage that included a bodyguard.
An exhaustive investigation by Norwegian news outlet VG exposed the real man behind the made-up moniker: Shimon Yehuda Hayut, the Israeli son of a rabbi who is wanted by Israeli police and has been reported for fraud in several European countries.
VG’s investigation into Hayut’s relationship with a Norwegian woman, Cecilie Schroder Fjellhoy, who was living in London when she met the con artist through Tinder, exposed how he perpetrates his fraud.
According to VG, Hayut posed as the CEO of LLD Diamonds on Tinder and told women that Lev Leviev is his father.
After connecting through the dating app and an initial first date in London, Hayut and Fjellhoy began a romantic relationship that mainly consisted of WhatsApp messages, only meeting sporadically due to Hayut’s seemingly busy schedule that took him from one city to the next.
Hayut made gestures that seemed in line with that of a major global business player who was constantly on the go, popping into Norway for just a few hours in between supposed business meetings so he could see Fjellhoy when she was on a visit home or taking her for weekend jaunts to Amsterdam via private jet.
What Fjellhoy didn’t know when the romance was occurring was that Hayut was financing his lifestyle by defrauding other women.
According to VG, he went on to do the same to Fjellhoy, claiming he was in danger from business associates who sought to harm him and asking to be linked to her credit cards so that financial transactions he made while traveling wouldn’t be under his own name, putting her in debt for roughly $500,000.
The real Lev Leviev is indeed a billionaire, but his actual son might not be the ideal scion to currently impersonate.
Born in Uzbekistan when it was part of the USSR, the elder Leviev immigrated to Israel as a teenager and eventually got his diamond industry start as an apprentice at a diamond polishing plant, according to The Times of Israel.
Now he’s reportedly wanted for questioning by Israeli police over a diamond smuggling scandal that saw his son Zevulun Leviev, as well as five other LLD Diamonds employees, arrested on suspicion of smuggling last November.
According to Reuters, the alleged smuggling ring brought about $80 million worth of diamonds into Israel in suitcases in an operation conducted since 2010.
Leviev has reportedly refused to leave Russia for questioning in Israel, currently leaving the investigation at an impasse.
The Latest

The two companies initially partnered during the pandemic and had just signed a 10-year sales agreement in November 2022.

A classic diamond tennis necklace gets a whole lot cooler with a removable pendant.

Awareness is essential to proactive protection. Learn how to promote and maintain safety and security awareness in your business.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore recently spoke with Columbia Gem House’s Eric Braunwart about the uptick in non-traditional gemstone cuts.


“Pre-Owned Luxury by Rocksbox” offers secondhand jewelry from Kay, Zales, and Jared to members and non-members.

The company was recognized for one of its private-label, consumer-focused jewelry care lines.

Do you always want the right diamonds at the right price in your store? Introducing Dialog, the world’s first diamond subscription service.

A rare Chaumet necklace and 20th-century sapphire ring sold for double their estimates.

The plea comes against a backdrop of declining demand and falling prices.

Shoppers also expressed concern about rising prices, higher interest rates, and political uncertainty.

Participants from the first round of grants saw up to a 900 percent increase in their platinum sales.

According to the watchmaker, it features the first light-powered atomic timekeeping moon phase movement.

The former teacher, described as “a pioneer for women-owned businesses,” opened her own jewelry store in 1980.

The contest is now open for submissions until Oct. 10.

The annual event will return to Rosemont, Illinois next August.

According to SpendingPulse, retail sales will increase in November and December but not necessarily for jewelers.

The designer just launched a new bridal range at Kay Jewelers.

Yunjo Lee has also worked on collections for Tiffany & Co. with Paloma Picasso and Frank Gehry.

Steve Levine joins the family-owned company, while his brother Gary has a new position.

The company has filed complaints against Royal Chain and Samuel B.

The two-stone style benefits from two-toned metal.

The event is moving just outside of Denver.

The company just rolled out “Timex Rewound,” a new takeback and resale program.

The lab confirmed it did not send the message.

Reginald Brack has worked at StockX and Christie’s.

The second installment of “To Treasure Now and Forever” is intended to emphasize diamonds’ versatility.