Even-Zohar Receives Israel Diamond Recognition Award

Chaim Even-Zohar, the long-time diamond industry analyst and IDEX Online columnist, was recognized for his contributions to Israel’s diamond industry Thursday. He and seven others received the Israel Diamond Industry Dignitary Award at a ceremony in Tel Aviv.

IDI president Moty Ganz (left), Chaim Even-Zohar, Minister of Social Affairs Yitzhak Hertzog and IDE President Avi Paz at the Israel Diamond Industry Dignitary Award ceremony

Even-Zohar was recognized by the Israel Diamond Manufacturing Association (IsDMA) for his many years of work in the industry, starting with a major purchase of stockpiled diamonds held by the U.S. government.

Born in Holland, Even-Zohar immigrated to Israel, served as a paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces, relocating to the U.S. for his studies. Upon his return to Israel, he formed the monthly magazine Mazal U’Bracha and sold it a few years later to National Jeweler. He bought back the magazine and later sold it to IDEX Online in 2003, later to become IDEX Magazine.

He consults governments, mining firms, banks, diamond traders and industry organizations as well as writing an influential weekly column. Over the years, Even-Zohar wrote a number of books, the best known of which is From Mine to Mistress.

Other recipients of the awards this year are Yuvel Meiri, Eliezer Rott, Uri Kaner, Yossef Herskovits, Ephraim Raviv, Eliahu Cohen and Simcha Lustig.