MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
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
SourcingNov 21, 2025
De Beers’ Branded, Traceable Diamonds Roll Out to 19 Retailers Called “Origin by De Beers Group,” the loose, polished diamonds are being sold in a total of 30 stores in the United States and Canada.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
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.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
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.
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.
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.
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.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
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.
