CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent CalendarsThe trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.
GradingSep 04, 2019
After Nearly Four Decades, Jerry Ehrenwald Exits IGI
Avi Levy is taking over as president of IGI North America for Ehrenwald, who is leaving to oversee a new trading platform for lab-grown diamonds.
Jerry Ehrenwald is stepping down as president and CEO of IGI North America, a position he has held for 28 years. He will be replaced by Avi Levy, who most recently served as vice president of sales for Prime Art & Jewel. (Photo courtesy of International Gemological Institute)
New York—The International Gemological Institute announced late Tuesday that longtime North America President and CEO Jerry Ehrenwald is leaving the lab to head an online platform for buying and selling lab-grown diamonds.
He will be succeeded by Avi Levy, whose resume includes MJJ Brilliant Inc. and Renaissance.
Ehrenwald has been with IGI for nearly 40 years, starting with the lab in 1981 to establish an independent appraisal division.
He’s served as IGI North America president and CEO since 1991, and his legacy with the lab includes the invention of the U.S.-patented Laserscribe device, which inscribes unique indicators, such as identification numbers, onto diamonds.
He is moving on to head LGDEX.org, a New York-based web platform where consumers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers can buy and/or sell lab-grown diamonds.
With this new position, Ehrenwald remains in the jewelry industry and won’t be completely out of touch with his old colleagues; IGI is one of three grading labs the exchange says it will be using to verify that the stones being traded on its site are lab-grown diamonds. (The other two are GIA and GCAL, according to the website.)
In the press release announcing his departure, Ehrenwald said: “There comes a time in life where you want to do something different, and that time for me is now. I will always keep IGI in my heart and hope to achieve the same level of pride and success with LGDEX.org as I have with IGI.”
IGI CEO Roland Lorie noted he and Ehrenwald have spent most of their professional lives working together and said he wishes him all the best in his new endeavor.
Levy, meanwhile, has 30 years of experience in diamond sourcing, manufacturing, product development, brand partnerships and wholesale trade to major jewelry retailers.
He will be succeeded by Avi Levy, whose resume includes MJJ Brilliant Inc. and Renaissance.
Ehrenwald has been with IGI for nearly 40 years, starting with the lab in 1981 to establish an independent appraisal division.
He’s served as IGI North America president and CEO since 1991, and his legacy with the lab includes the invention of the U.S.-patented Laserscribe device, which inscribes unique indicators, such as identification numbers, onto diamonds.
He is moving on to head LGDEX.org, a New York-based web platform where consumers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers can buy and/or sell lab-grown diamonds.
With this new position, Ehrenwald remains in the jewelry industry and won’t be completely out of touch with his old colleagues; IGI is one of three grading labs the exchange says it will be using to verify that the stones being traded on its site are lab-grown diamonds. (The other two are GIA and GCAL, according to the website.)
In the press release announcing his departure, Ehrenwald said: “There comes a time in life where you want to do something different, and that time for me is now. I will always keep IGI in my heart and hope to achieve the same level of pride and success with LGDEX.org as I have with IGI.”
IGI CEO Roland Lorie noted he and Ehrenwald have spent most of their professional lives working together and said he wishes him all the best in his new endeavor.
Levy, meanwhile, has 30 years of experience in diamond sourcing, manufacturing, product development, brand partnerships and wholesale trade to major jewelry retailers.
Avi Levy
After starting his career at Star Diamond, he worked for MJJ Brilliant Inc. then left for Renaissance, an India-based jewelry manufacturer. There, he worked with Signet Jewelers to develop the popular Open Hearts by Jane Seymour collection.
A few years later, Levy returned to MJJ Brilliant.
He joins IGI from Prime Art & Jewel, where he has spent the last six months as vice president of sales.
“We are excited to welcome Avi to the team,” Lorie said. “He will play a significant role in bolstering the institute’s relationships and service offerings between the overseas manufacturers and the U.S. customer base.”
In the release, Levy said he looks forward to leading IGI North America’s New York-based team and will work on “growing our current relationships as well as forging new strategic alliances, with a concentrated focus on gaining further recognition and expansion of the IGI global brand.”
Ehrenwald’s IGI exit comes almost exactly a year after news broke that Fosun, a Chinese investment firm that owns stakes in a wide range of companies (U.K. football club the Wolverhampton Wanderers, Club Med and movie-maker Studio 8 are just a few of its holdings), would acquire 80 percent of the company.
The remaining 20 percent is still owned by the Lories, the lab’s founding family.
Ehrenwald told JCK at the time the purchase was announced last September that he would “remain for now.”
More on Grading
The Latest
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of SalesJewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.
Weekly QuizOct 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the CornerThe upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s CollectionThe line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11MThe rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ CollectionThe champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New CharmsKosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s MurderCarlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ CollectionThe brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for RainCitizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.
AuctionsOct 06, 2025
The ‘Rolex That Made Rolex’ Heads to Auction at Sotheby’s The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West CoastMembers of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White MetalsGomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire RingTaylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed SandIts “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful ShowThe month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-ReflectionSmith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.
