MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
SourcingMay 14, 2019
Legendary Diamantaire Leo Schachter Dies at 95
He is remembered for his dignity, modesty and generosity.
Leo Schachter, who started his eponymous diamond company in the 1950s, died last week at his home on New York’s Long Island. He was 95. (Photo courtesy of Leo Schachter Diamonds)
Lawrence, N.Y.—Leo Schachter, a longtime leader in the diamond industry who was known for his modesty and generosity, died Thursday at his home in Lawrence, New York.
He was 95.
Born March 19, 1924 in New York City, Schachter was a second-generation diamantaire. His father, Max Schachter, started working in the diamond business in Antwerp after moving there from Poland and continued his business on 47th Street when he came to the United States.
Leo Schachter started the company that would eventually bear his name in 1952 in New York’s Diamond District and worked in some capacity for his entire life, with his company noting that he “enjoyed his engagement with diamonds until the end.”
He grew the business from a small, New York-based operation into one of the biggest diamond companies in the world, notching numerous partnerships and opening offices in Israel, India, Hong Kong, Botswana and Japan along the way.
Leo Schachter Diamonds became a De Beers sightholder in 1966—a status it still holds today—and a designated client of Russian diamond company Alrosa in 2016.
The company partnered with brothers Avraham and Moshe Namdar in 1981 to form Schachter & Namdar, which also was one of the largest diamond companies in the world, and that partnership lasted until 2005.
Leo Schachter Diamonds entered into a joint venture with William Goldberg Diamond Corp. in 2004 under which Goldberg cut the larger diamonds Leo Schachter sourced from De Beers, and it formed a partnership with Indian firm Kama Jewels to create Kama Schachter, a finished jewelry company, in 2007.
The company also was one of the first to venture into branded diamonds, launching “The Leo Diamond” in 1999. The stone is still sold at Kay Jewelers stores today.
Several other branded diamonds followed, including the “Lve” line, an accessibly priced bridal brand created in partnership with Forevermark.
In a statement issued Monday, Leo Schachter Diamonds said its founder’s combination of dignity, modesty and generosity “serves as an inspiration for his family and friends and as a guiding light for the company that he founded and built.”
The website for the Israeli Diamond Industry also posted a notice about Schachter’s death, with Israel Diamond Institute Chairman Boaz Moldawsky writing, “For years, Leo Schachter Diamonds has employed hundreds of workers in Israel and contributed to the prosperity of the Israel diamond industry and the Israeli economy.”
“Despite its global scope, the
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
company kept its family-style management in Israel. I send my sincere condolences to Leo’s family for their loss.”
Outside of work, Schachter—who divided his time between his home on New York’s Long Island and Jerusalem—was an ardent supporter of Zionist causes, Jewish education and charitable organizations.
A father of five, he also loved spending time with his family and would often say “Not enough!” when asked how many grandchildren and great-grandchildren he had.
Schachter is survived by his wife, Shirley; four daughters (the couple lost one daughter, Mindy) and sons-in-law; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A funeral took place Monday in Ra’anana, Israel, and the family will be sitting Shiva in Ra’anana and at the Schachter home in Lawrence.
Outside of work, Schachter—who divided his time between his home on New York’s Long Island and Jerusalem—was an ardent supporter of Zionist causes, Jewish education and charitable organizations.
A father of five, he also loved spending time with his family and would often say “Not enough!” when asked how many grandchildren and great-grandchildren he had.
Schachter is survived by his wife, Shirley; four daughters (the couple lost one daughter, Mindy) and sons-in-law; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A funeral took place Monday in Ra’anana, Israel, and the family will be sitting Shiva in Ra’anana and at the Schachter home in Lawrence.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
Events & AwardsSep 30, 2026
Jewelers of America, JA New York to Host Networking EventThe event will take place on the evening of Oct. 26 in New York City.
IndependentsSep 29, 2026
Christy Bromberg, Longtime Gift Buyer for Underwood Jewelers, Dies at 68She is remembered for her joie de vivre, upbeat personality, genuine interest in other people, and love of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
Dionne Warwick’s Jewelry Goes Up for AuctionOnline bidding is open now for Julien’s sale of items owned by the “Walk On By” singer, whose final album comes out this fall.
Events & AwardsSep 29, 2026
Matt Stuller to Receive 2027 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementThe founder and executive chairman of Stuller Inc. is being honored for his impact on the jewelry industry at the 25th annual Gem Awards.
ColumnistsSep 29, 2026
Your Holiday Marketing Has a Bridal Blind SpotDecember is the most popular month to propose, and jewelers need to keep that in mind when planning their holiday marketing.
AuctionsSep 29, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction Wednesday.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
De Beers London Drops Water-Inspired High Jewelry Collection“Vibrations” features several firsts for De Beers’ high jewelry, including the use of chalcedony and diamonds sourced from artisanal miners.
CollectionsSep 28, 2026
Jessica McCormack Turns to Classic Motif for New CollectionThe “Bows” collection features three interpretations of the bow motif designed with Georgian and Victorian influences.
Events & AwardsSep 28, 2026
Guy Borenstein, Troy Underwood Among the Professionals Honored at AGS Conclave 2026The American Gem Society recognized industry members, one Guild, and a law enforcement official for their contributions to jewelry.
FinancialsSep 28, 2026
Instappraise, Jewelers Mutual Look to Simplify Jewelry InsuranceThrough a new system integration, customers can now receive instant personal jewelry insurance quotes at the time of appraisal.
WatchesSep 25, 2026
Smaller Rolex Watches Showing Strength on Secondary Market, Data ShowsFive of the 10 fastest-appreciating Rolex models on Bob’s Watches were Datejust 31 or Lady Datejust watches.
MajorsSep 25, 2026
Sherwood Family Buys Back Daniel’s Jewelers from Private EquityThe Sherwood family and AJS Creations CEO Tejas Shah purchased the jewelry chain back from Palladium Equity Partners.
Lab-GrownSep 25, 2026
Brilliant Earth Collabs with Elizabeth Taylor Estate on Jewelry Collection“The Elizabeth Taylor Collection” uses lab-grown diamonds and gemstones in contemporary designs inspired by the icon.
TrendsSep 25, 2026
A Peek at Taylor Swift’s Game-Day DiamondsThe artist wore Dana Rebecca Designs’ marquise diamond-set gold hoops at the Chiefs game last Sunday. Now they’re our Piece of the Week.
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be TakingJSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.
