Arnold “Arnie” Auerbach, an industry icon who held top diamond-buying positions at Harry Winston and Stuller, died on March 4 following an extended illness. He was 88.
Auerbach was born in Spring Valley, N.Y. He served in the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of corporal and working as a photographer.
Following his military service, Auerbach entered the diamond industry in 1958, as a sorter. In 1966 he became a diamond buyer for Harry Winton, when Winston was America’s premier jeweler. He worked there 24 years.
In 1992, Auerbach joined Stuller, as its director of diamond purchasing, He stayed with the company until his retirement in 2004,
Post-retirement, Auerbach continued to live in Lafayette, La., where Stuller is headquartered. In later years he enjoyed woodworking and tinkering at his bench. But even after he left the business, he kept in touch with his industry friends, says Ronnie Vanderlinden, president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association.
“He would call me once or twice a month just to schmooze,” Vanderlinden says. “Artie was a genuinely good guy, a talented diamantaire who was a wealth of information. He was extremely well respected in the business. I don’t know anyone who didn’t like Artie.”
Stuller’s founder and chairman Matt Stuller tells JCK by email that Auerbach “was invaluable in helping to build Stuller’s diamond division and becoming a De Beers Diamond Trading Company sightholder. Upon his retirement in July 2004, Arnie and Stephie decided to make Lafayette their home, enjoying the Southern lifestyle…. He will be missed by the entire Stuller family and the many friends he made here in Lafayette.”
On an online tribute page, former Stuller president Jay Jackson wrote that “Arnie was a pioneer in making Stuller a major player in the global diamond industry. His knowledge and expertise as well as professional approach to everything he did left a legacy that will remain as long as Stuller exists.”
Auerbach is survived by Hilda (“Stephie”), his wife of 62 years, and a sister, Sandra. Information on other family members and memorial donations is in this obituary.
(Photo from Facebook)
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