SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsDec 27, 2019
Amir Mozaffarian Fine Jewels To Close After 42 Years
The fourth-generation jeweler will close his San Francisco store and spend retirement with his family.
Amir and Cynthia Mozaffarian are closing their store in San Francisco’s Union Square shopping district after 42 years in business.
San Francisco—Amir Mozaffarian Fine Jewels will close its doors after 42 years in business.
Amir Mozaffarian opened his eponymous store in San Francisco’s Union Square shopping district in 1978.
He is a fourth-generation jeweler whose family has been in the business for more than 135 years.
Though a descendant of a long line of jewelers, Amir and his wife, Cynthia Mozaffarian, both have backgrounds in engineering.
Amir has a master’s degree in aerospace engineering while Cynthia holds a bachelor’s in mechanical and civil engineering.
“Engineering is a frame of mind where you solve problems and come up with solutions,” Amir said in a press release announcing the store’s closure.
“That, along with paying close attention to even the finest of details, has helped us greatly in the jewelry industry.”
Cynthia worked for years as an engineer, helping her husband when she could, but later devoted herself to the family business.
“We just partnered to make our business stronger,” she said in the release. “That was what mattered the most to us.”
Over the last four decades, Mozaffarian traveled the world to hand-select jewels for his creations, like rubies from Burma and emeralds from Colombia.
“It’s a labor of love,” said Cynthia, noting how special a signature piece can be to their customers.
Jon Omer, a former Fabergé executive, said he knew from his first visit that the store was special and would be the perfect fit to be the brand’s exclusive retailer in the San Francisco area.
“Amir built the store’s success on three principles: building personal relationships with clients, an unparalleled collection of jewelry you won’t find anywhere else, and the ability to be one step ahead of the industry,” Omer said in the release.
Amir described his retirement as a bittersweet, emotional time and said his clients echoed the same sentiment, sharing memories of shopping in the store.
“We have such wonderful memories with so many fine people that we have been fortunate to meet. Some families we have served for three generations,” he said.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to meet a wide range of wonderful, interesting, talented and accomplished people. It’s been a pleasure being part of their lives,” said Cynthia.
However, retirement will mean the couple has more time to spend with their family, which includes their two sons, two daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren.
Their sons work in finance; they will not be taking over the store.
The store’s exact closing date will depend on inventory levels.
“We
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
hope people will visit the store to celebrate with us,” said Amir. “And share some happy memories.”
More on Independents
The Latest
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
SurveysJul 08, 2026
Signet Jewelers Falls 5 Spots on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListPlus, why retailers should be ready to adjust as the U.S. population may decline this year for the first time since the Great Depression.
CrimeJul 08, 2026
Here’s What Thieves Stole From the Lalique Museum René Lalique’s “Woman Dragonfly With Open Wings” pendant, the first piece the museum acquired, was one of the jewels taken.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Richline Group Promotes 2 ExecsArien Gessner and Moss Makhoulian have been elevated into newly created roles.
