IndependentsApr 20, 2021
Connecticut Jewelry Store To Close After 108 YearsIndependentsApr 28, 2021
After 72 Years, This Philly-Area Institution Is Closing
Robbins Delaware Diamonds was known for its catchy jingles and for “the guy with the diamond in his beard.”
Robbins Delaware Diamonds is the last store owned by the Robbins family of Philadelphia. Leo and Sylvia Robbins started the family business in the late 1940s, opening a store at 8th and Walnut on Jewelers’ Row.
Newark, Del.—Robbins Delaware Diamonds, a store known for its Philadelphia-famous commercials and “the guy with the diamond in his beard,” will soon be no more.
The Philly-area institution co-owned by brothers Gordon and Jason Robbins is in the process of holding a going-out-of-business sale at its one remaining location in Newark, Delaware.
“After 40 years, I’m done,” Gordon explained to National Jeweler Tuesday.
Gordon, 56, said he has been working in the family business since he was about 13, and has been selling diamonds since he was 16, continuing a family tradition that began right after World War II.
The Robbins brothers’ grandparents, Leo and Sylvia, opened Leo Robbins and Sons on 8th and Walnut in Philadelphia in 1949.
Leo and Sylvia passed down the business to their sons, Jerry and Ron, who made the family’s stores famous in the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley region with their catchy television commercials in the 1970s.
Related stories will be right here …
The ads featured the two brothers altering the lyrics of ‘50s and ‘60s hits like “Who Put the Bomp” to make them work for a jewelry store, e.g., “Who put the rock in the rock/the rock/the rock you got.”
Jerry, who died in 2018, was also known for having a diamond clipped into his signature beard. His caricature still figures prominently in the store’s marketing today.
“I was known in school as the kid whose dad wore a diamond in his beard,” Gordon recalled in a press release circulated about the store’s closing.
“My dad was a big presence, and I feel fortunate to have worked shoulder to shoulder with him, and my grandfather and uncles, for many years.”
WATCH: Robbins Delaware Diamonds Is Closing
At its zenith, the family-run business was a five-store chain but, like so many jewelers, the Robbins family and their stores did not escape the Great Recession unscathed.
The store was forced into bankruptcy in 2009 and closed three of the four locations it had then, emerging with just the store in Newark.
Gordon said they came out of bankruptcy on financially solid ground and did a fine business in Delaware in the years immediately following.
About three years ago, however, he and his brother decided they did not want to renew the store’s lease beyond its current contract and began looking for a buyer, holding talks with both national chains and local competitors.
Ultimately, however, nothing came of it. COVID hit and it became an “impossible task” to find a buyer.
“I knew it was an uphill battle,” he said. “Nobody wants a retail jewelry business. I don’t know anyone who wants a retail business in general.”
Gordon Robbins said the store’s going-out-of-business sale, which started earlier this month, is “going gangbusters.” (Photo courtesy of Robbins Delaware Diamonds Facebook page)
The going-out-of-business sale at Robbins Delaware Diamonds, which is being handled by Wilkerson, started April 9.
Gordon said being part of the generation that closes the business his grandparents started is bittersweet.
Bitter because he will miss his longtime customers and co-workers; sweet because he won’t miss the more unsavory parts of dealing with the public on a daily basis, or the general stress that comes with running a small business.
“There is a certain amount of sadness in being the one who’s shutting it down,” Gordon said, but, also, he’s ready to retire to the mountains with his wife and “live out a great second chapter.”
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
Weekly QuizMay 28, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
GradingMay 28, 2026
GCAL By Sarine Launches 8X Cushion CutThe lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
