Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
IndependentsJun 16, 2021
Guy Benhamou of Charles Garnier Paris Dies at 69
Benhamou was also the founder of gold jewelry manufacturer OroAmerica.
Los Angeles—Guy Benhamou, owner of the Charles Garnier Paris jewelry brand, has died at the age of 69 due to cancer.
His passing was first reported by The Centurion.
Benhamou founded gold jewelry manufacturer OroAmerica in 1977, as per his LinkedIn profile.
The company was sold to fellow manufacturer Aurafin in 2001, becoming Aurafin-OroAmerica. Berkshire Hathaway-owned Richline Group bought that company in 2007.
In 2002, Benhamou, who was born in Paris, purchased French jewelry company Charles Garnier Paris and moved its operations to Los Angeles.
He served as CEO for nearly 20 years.
In 2018, he combined Charles Garnier Paris brand with Elle Jewelry to create the Paris 1901 brand, a nod to the city and year Charles Garnier was founded. He also served as brand president.
Benhamou was an active member of the jewelry industry, formerly serving as a board member for the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
“We would like to join the rest of the jewelry community in mourning the passing of Guy and our condolences go to his friends and family,” said JVC in a statement to National Jeweler.
“He was a treasured member of our membership and former board member of the JVC and we deeply appreciate his service to our mission.”
A virtual Zoom memorial service was held in his honor on June 10.
Benhamou is survived by his daughter, Jordana; son, David, the mother of his children, Lisa; sisters, Lynda and Danielle; niece, Victoria; and nephew, Paul.
His passing was first reported by The Centurion.
Benhamou founded gold jewelry manufacturer OroAmerica in 1977, as per his LinkedIn profile.
The company was sold to fellow manufacturer Aurafin in 2001, becoming Aurafin-OroAmerica. Berkshire Hathaway-owned Richline Group bought that company in 2007.
In 2002, Benhamou, who was born in Paris, purchased French jewelry company Charles Garnier Paris and moved its operations to Los Angeles.
He served as CEO for nearly 20 years.
In 2018, he combined Charles Garnier Paris brand with Elle Jewelry to create the Paris 1901 brand, a nod to the city and year Charles Garnier was founded. He also served as brand president.
Benhamou was an active member of the jewelry industry, formerly serving as a board member for the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
“We would like to join the rest of the jewelry community in mourning the passing of Guy and our condolences go to his friends and family,” said JVC in a statement to National Jeweler.
“He was a treasured member of our membership and former board member of the JVC and we deeply appreciate his service to our mission.”
A virtual Zoom memorial service was held in his honor on June 10.
Benhamou is survived by his daughter, Jordana; son, David, the mother of his children, Lisa; sisters, Lynda and Danielle; niece, Victoria; and nephew, Paul.
More on Independents
The Latest
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
