This year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
Mikimoto COO Moves Over to Graff Diamonds
Meyer Hoffman has been appointed president of Graff USA after serving as chief operating officer for Mikimoto America.

New York--Graff Diamonds has hired Meyer Hoffman as its new USA president.
Hoffman comes to Graff from Mikimoto, where he served as chief operating officer, North America. Prior to that, he was the COO at Giorgio Armani Japan.
“We are very excited to welcome Meyer to continue the success we have had in the U.S. and to cement our reputation in this market as the pre-eminent jewelry brand,” said Laurence Graff, chairman of Graff Diamonds.
The appointment follows former Graff North America CEO and President Henri Barguirdjian’s departure in September, after having served in the position for 16 years.
Barguirdjian left to “pursue personal interests,” according to Graff Diamonds.
Women’s Wear Daily reported that he was looking to acquire jewelry brand Marina B. with former John Hardy creative director and co-owner Guy Bedarida. It also was reported that Barguirdjian created Arcot Finance, a company that buys and sells gemstones, with financier Philip Falcone.
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