Tributes to Harry Levy, True Gentleman of the Gem World
May 16, 23
(IDEX Online) - Harry Levy, the mathematics lecturer who became a gem trader and went on to chair the London Diamond Bourse (LDB) has died, aged 83.
"He was a true gentleman, soft-spoken, gentle, polite and with an iron-clad moral compass," said Gaetano Cavalieri, president of CIBJO (World Jewellery Confederation).
"He also was completely dedicated to the mission of creating harmonised standards for our industry, combining the intellectual excellence of a true academic and the realism of an individual who earned his living as a gem trader.
"Our thoughts are with his wife, Lotte, and his loving family."
Levy was highly respected in the diamond industry. During a long career he headed the British Jewellers Association (BJA), the International Diamond Commission, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A), CIBJO's Coloured Stone Commission and its Diamond Commission.
He served as president of the London Diamond Bourse from 2011 to 2016 and then became its honorary life chairman.
Among his many achievements was the formulation in 2015 of new industry ISO standards on the terminology used to distinguish natural and lab grown diamonds.
Levy, born Hanukkah Levy in Turkey, into a Persian-Jewish family, held a master's degree in mathematics and a degree in philosophy. He started dabbling in gemstones while working as a lecturer.
He quit the academic world to set up his own business Levy Gems, in Hatton Garden, London.
He was "one of the industry's most devoted, hard-working and knowledgeable public servants," according to Udi Sheintal, President of the CIBJO Diamond Commission.
He described Levy as "the epitome of a gentlemen and what is referred to in Yiddish as a mensch, a decent man".
The London Diamond Bourse said: "Our thoughts and condolences are sent to the family at this difficult time. Everyone at LDB wishes the family long life."
Pic of Harry Levy, courtesy London Diamond Bourse