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.
Events & AwardsJan 28, 2020
Colored Stone Wholesaler Intercolor Celebrates Turning 40
They’re inviting the trade to fête the occasion with them in Tucson.
Intercolor is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2020, led by four brothers. From left to right: Afshin (Alan) Hackman, Benjamin Hackman, Daniel Hackman and David Hackman.
New York—Making it to 40 years in business is no small feat, and one colored stone dealer wants the trade to celebrate the occasion with them, appropriately, in Tucson.
This year, New York-based wholesaler Intercolor is fêting four decades in the gem world.
Brothers Benjamin and Daniel Hackman founded the company in 1980, inspired by their late uncle who was in the loose colored stones business in London starting in the late 1950s.
Afshin (Alan) then joined in 1981, followed by David in 1984.
For the past four decades, the brothers have brought fine rubies, emeralds, sapphires and tanzanite weighing 1 carat or more to the market, traveling across the world to source them.
Not surprisingly, several things in the business have changed since Intercolor first started operating.
One key thing, Afshin told National Jeweler, is that with all the information the internet has brought to their fingertips, buyers’ perceptions of colored stones have changed and they’re shopping with even more knowledge.
And all the better for it, he added.
“When you have an educated client and they look at a gemstone to buy, at least they have a good idea of what they’re looking at,” he said.
“It takes a lot of effort and talent, I always say, to take someone’s hard-earned cash and give them a tiny piece of rock in return. So, if they have dug out some information on their own, at least it helps make the transition smoother.”
Another key factor that’s changed the colored stone sector is the ease of taking pictures of product and sending them instantly to clients.
“Nowadays … taking pictures and sending information beforehand has drastically improved the memo-sales ratio for everybody,” Hackman said. “This is also one of the biggest differences I’ve seen from 35 years ago.”
He noted decades ago, they’d sometimes ship as many as 40 or 50 packages a day but would get about 90 percent of them back in the mail because “more than half the time, the client’s perception of what they were receiving in the mail was different from what you explained. Now, with all the pictures and image-taking, at least right off the bat, they’ll rule out what they don’t like.”
The four decades in business has been filled with as many highlights as changes.
When asked what he’s most proud of as they mark the big milestone, Hackman noted the
values by which they’ve run their company—honesty first, followed not far behind by customer service and supplier service.
“At a very young age, I was taught by my late father that if you want to stay in business for a long time, you always treat your suppliers the same as you treat your clients.”
There were also notable moments like Benjamin Hackman serving as president of American Gem Trade Association and the International Colored Stone Association.
The company now also includes the second generation—Daniel’s son Ivan has been with Intercolor for the last 18 years, and David’s son Zachary plans to join in June 2021, when he finishes his studies.
Because of how it went for them, as well as a very good season for many of their clients, the brothers are anticipating a strong show when they exhibit at the upcoming AGTA GemFair in Tucson.
Fittingly, it’s also out in the desert that they’re inviting everyone to celebrate the anniversary.
Anyone with an AGTA GemFair or GJX badge can join them at Intercolor’s 40th anniversary party on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Culinary Dropout on East Grant Road.
“At a very young age, I was taught by my late father that if you want to stay in business for a long time, you always treat your suppliers the same as you treat your clients.”
There were also notable moments like Benjamin Hackman serving as president of American Gem Trade Association and the International Colored Stone Association.
The company now also includes the second generation—Daniel’s son Ivan has been with Intercolor for the last 18 years, and David’s son Zachary plans to join in June 2021, when he finishes his studies.
RELATED CONTENT: 8 Predictions for the 2020 Tucson Gem ShowsThey are also coming off one of Intercolor’s best holiday seasons in history, according to Hackman.
Because of how it went for them, as well as a very good season for many of their clients, the brothers are anticipating a strong show when they exhibit at the upcoming AGTA GemFair in Tucson.
Fittingly, it’s also out in the desert that they’re inviting everyone to celebrate the anniversary.
Anyone with an AGTA GemFair or GJX badge can join them at Intercolor’s 40th anniversary party on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Culinary Dropout on East Grant Road.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Intercolor USA (@intercolorusa) on Jan 3, 2020 at 11:47am PST
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizNov 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
MajorsNov 04, 2025
Danny Clark to Become Stuller CEO, Succeeding Matt StullerStuller COO Belit Myers will take on the additional role of president, with all changes effective at the start of 2026.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.
MajorsNov 03, 2025
Matthew Rosenheim Takes Over as JA Board ChairThe trade organization also announced its executive committee and five new directors.
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDGThe “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionThe ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
