Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
SourcingJan 16, 2014
Trau Bros. acquiring Lazare Kaplan Botswana
Belgian diamond company the Trau Bros. NV is taking 100 percent control of New York diamond company Lazare Kaplan’s operations in Botswana.
Gaborone, Botswana--Belgian diamond company the Trau Bros. NV is taking 100 percent control of New York diamond company Lazare Kaplan’s operations in Botswana.
Mmegi Online reported and sources confirmed that the Trau Bros., which already has a 49 percent stake in Lazare Kaplan Botswana, plans to acquire the remaining 51 percent. The deal is pending regulatory approval.
Trau Bros. declined further comment on the transaction, except to say that the polished diamonds produced in Botswana will be used to serve its clients worldwide.
Lazare Kaplan said, “In this time of rapid change in the world and in our industry, LKI management constantly reviews the deployment of its resources.”
Founded in 1890, Trau Bros. has been a sightholder with De Beers for 65 years and is one of the manufacturers authorized to cut De Beers’ branded diamond, the Forevermark. The company also is a contract client with Russian diamond mining company Alrosa.
Trau Bros. is known for its expertise in fancy shapes and has offices in Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom and Dubai. Its brands include Jade Trau, the line produced in New York City by designer Jade Lustig, granddaughter of Solomon Trau.
Lazare Kaplan International Inc. was founded in 1903 and is based in New York. The company was a pioneer of the ideal cut and was the first to inscribe diamonds. Its branded diamond is called the Lazare Diamond and it also sells high-pressure, high-temperature treated (HPHT) diamonds under the Bellataire brand name.
In recent years, the company has been involved in a number of high-profile lawsuits, including the ongoing $500 million legal battle with its former lender, the Antwerp Diamond Bank N.V.
In an 8-K filed Wednesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Lazare Kaplan noted that it recently notched a legal victory in one of these suits.
On Sept. 13, the company and the Gemological Institute of America settled the patent infringement lawsuit originally filed by Lazare Kaplan in 2006 against the GIA and PhotoScribe over the diamond company’s inscription technology.
According to the filing, the GIA agreed to pay Lazare Kaplan $15.5 million while the diamond company granted GIA a license to use certain patents. The GIA will pay Lazare Kaplan a per-inscription royalty until July 31, 2016.
Lazare Kaplan has not filed regular financial reports since 2009 because of “material uncertainties” created by its ongoing lawsuits but stated in
the 8-K filed Wednesday that it expects net sales and other revenue (including the lawsuit settlement) for the second quarter 2014 ended Nov. 30 to almost double year-over-year, from $15.6 million to $29.0 million.
Year-to-date, sales and other revenue are expected to total $42.5 million, up from $34.9 million last year.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 05, 2025
Platinum Guild International Updates Leadership TeamTwo existing executives have been given new roles.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
MajorsJun 04, 2025
Amy Curran Promoted at Hill & Co.Her new role is director of strategic initiatives.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
