The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
DEF to Honor Helzberg at ‘Diamonds Do Good’
The retailer will receive the Corporate Legacy of Philanthropy Award at the organization’s gala on June 4 in Las Vegas.
New York--The Diamond Empowerment Fund has announced it will honor retailer Helzberg Diamonds with the Corporate Legacy of Philanthropy Award at its Diamonds Do Good event in Las Vegas.
The event is scheduled for June 4 at the Four Seasons Ballroom.
The Corporate Legacy of Philanthropy Award honors the actions taken by a corporation to better the lives in its local community while making a difference globally. DEF said that for more than a century, Helzberg has “epitomized this ideal.”
Morris Helzberg opened the first Helzberg store opened in 1915 in Kansas City, Kansas but his son, Barnett, soon took over the responsibility. His business skills and sense of community responsibility were what helped to grow the company even during the Great Depression.
He made himself an integral part of the community, providing counseling for the Girl Scouts, support for the Kansas City Zoo and establishing the Diamond Council of America.
When his son Barnett Jr. took over, he continued this tradition. He also developed the “I am loved” button promotion after proposing to his wife, Shirley, which became a campaign of goodwill sent to military men serving in the Vietnam War, children in hospitals and eventually was translated into more than 11 languages.
Barnett Jr. sold the company to Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway in1995. Beryl Raff was named the next leader of the company in 2009.
Three years later, in 2012, Helzberg established “Helzberg Helps” to honor its philanthropic traditions, with the mission of leading fundraising efforts and organizing volunteer activities primarily for charitable entities that support the benefit of children and families in need.
The company’s largest charitable efforts since 2009 supported Make-A-Wish America.
The retailer is one of three honorees at this year’s gala. The other two have not yet been announced.
For more information and to purchase tickets/sponsorships, visit DiamondsDoGoodAwards.org.
This story was updated post-publication because National Jeweler erroneously reported that two of the honorees from the 2016 Diamonds Do Good Awards gala--Dorothee Gizenga and Chow Tai Fook--were being honored in 2017. The Diamond Empowerment will be announcing the two additional honorees soon.
The Latest

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.

Cahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

Tiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.


For her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.

Jaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.

Consumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.

The holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.

Solomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.

The fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.

The annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

In her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.

The jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.

Vote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.

The closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

The website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.

Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.

Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.

Bespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.

The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.

The Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.

Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.

The family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.

The De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.

The collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.

























