Watch as Edahn Golan, Sherry Smith and Avi Levy join Michelle Graff to talk pricing and trends in this controversial corner of the market.
A Forgotten Story: Film Delves into Cuban Diamond Industry
A $10,000 grant from the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee will help the movie, “Forgotten Jewels, A Haven in Havana,” with post-production and distribution.

New York--A film that delves into the history of the diamond industry in Cuba has been awarded a grant that will allow it a broader reach.
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has given “Forgotten Jewels, A Haven in Havana,” its inaugural JDC Archives Documentary Film Grant.
The grant awards $10,000 toward post-production and/or distribution costs of a documentary that utilizes JDC’s archival collections for a film focusing on 20th century Jewish history.
Directed by Judy Kreith and Robin Truesdale, “Forgotten Jewels” is a 46-minute documentary telling the story of Jewish refugees who fled Nazi-occupied Europe for Cuba, ultimately creating a diamond polishing industry in Havana that helped thousands of Cubans and refugees to survive during World War II.
The story has a personal connection for one of the directors--Kreith’s mother was a Jewish refugee in Cuba and even appears in the film.
“Since I was a child, my mother has told me stories of her almost miraculous escape from Nazi-occupied Europe to the island of Cuba. I felt that stories of Jewish refugees who escaped to Cuba should be documented for the future,” Krieth said. “Her experience and those of other refugees who polished diamonds in Havana as a means of economic survival is a little-known but essential part of Jewish history.”
There already have been a number of screenings of the film across the United States, including at private events and at film festivals.
Two more screenings are planned--one on June 21 at the Tolerance Education Center in Rancho Mirage, California, and that same day at Haifa Cinemateque in Haifa, Israel.
The directors still are aiming to get the film in front of a wider international audience. The winners of the grant plan to use it to fund additional screenings in a variety of locations and countries, including screenings for the diamond and jewelry industry for possible leveraging of the film as an educational resource.
They also will use the money for costs associated with international and Jewish film festivals and with other groups.
For more information, visit ForgottenJewelsFilm.com.
The Latest

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

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

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

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


The museum is asking for the public’s help in finding thousands of pieces of ancient gold jewelry and gemstones stolen from a storeroom.

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.

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.

Police say Douglas Wayne Gamble also swapped natural diamonds for synthetic stones and failed to return customers’ repairs.

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.