AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
TrendsMay 29, 2018
Antique and Estate Jewelry Firm Founder Dies at 76
Camilla Dietz Bergeron started her eponymous company with business partner Gus Davis in 1989.
New York--Camilla Dietz Bergeron, who started an antique and estate jewelry company after working on Wall Street in the ‘70s and ‘80s, died May 20 at the age of 76.
Her eponymous New York-based firm shared the news of its founder’s passing in its e-newsletter sent out May 21, writing: “It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our dear friend, mentor and colleague Camilla Dietz Bergeron. Camilla … found great success on Wall Street before making her indelible mark in the jewelry world. 
Born March 11, 1942 in Covington, Georgia, Bergeron graduated from Vanderbilt University and then moved to New York City to pursue a career on Wall Street.
She was a founding partner of Furman, Selz, Mager, Dietz and Birney Inc. in 1973, a firm that specialized in funding for small- and mid-sized companies and was sold to Xerox in 1987.
“There are many things in life that I wanted to achieve and being on Wall Street was just one of them,”
Bergeron is quoted as saying on her antique and estate jewelry company’s website. “I love the challenge of starting something new and watching it grow and blossom.”
In 1989, Bergeron started something else new—Camilla Dietz Bergeron Ltd., which she launched with business partner Gus Davis, a specialist in colored gemstones such as Burmese rubies, Kashmir sapphires and Colombian emeralds.
Over 26 years, Bergeron and Davis built a company that buys and sells antique, estate and period jewelry, with a special emphasis on the Edwardian, Art Deco and Retro periods. Among the many purchases the pair made over the years was the emerald and diamond Bulgari ring that Richard Burton gave to Elizabeth Taylor on the set of 1963’s “Cleopatra.”
Despite Bergeron’s passing, the New York-based business will continue with Davis at the helm.
Outside of her company, Bergeron was a former executive board member and president of the American Society of Jewelry Historians and a frequent lecturer at museums and for other organizations on jewelry and business topics.
She also was an active Vanderbilt University alumna.
Bergeron is survived by her husband, Jean Maurice Georges Bergeron; one sister, Harriet Nunnally; two goddaughters; and her devoted friend and business partner, Gus Davis.
{embed 368}
In 1989, Bergeron started something else new—Camilla Dietz Bergeron Ltd., which she launched with business partner Gus Davis, a specialist in colored gemstones such as Burmese rubies, Kashmir sapphires and Colombian emeralds.
Over 26 years, Bergeron and Davis built a company that buys and sells antique, estate and period jewelry, with a special emphasis on the Edwardian, Art Deco and Retro periods. Among the many purchases the pair made over the years was the emerald and diamond Bulgari ring that Richard Burton gave to Elizabeth Taylor on the set of 1963’s “Cleopatra.”
Despite Bergeron’s passing, the New York-based business will continue with Davis at the helm.
Outside of her company, Bergeron was a former executive board member and president of the American Society of Jewelry Historians and a frequent lecturer at museums and for other organizations on jewelry and business topics.
She also was an active Vanderbilt University alumna.
Bergeron is survived by her husband, Jean Maurice Georges Bergeron; one sister, Harriet Nunnally; two goddaughters; and her devoted friend and business partner, Gus Davis.
{embed 368}
More on Trends
The Latest
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
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.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
