William Goldberg, the master diamantaire known for his outsize personality and his slogan “The Magic is in the make,” was remembered during a panel held last Thursday at the headquarters of the company he founded, in conjunction with the release of a new book on his life, The William Goldberg Way.

Goldberg, who died in 2003, was an industry institution, serving as president of New York’s Diamond Dealers Club from 1978 to 1984. In 2006, East 48th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues in Manhattan was named “William Goldberg Way” in his honor.

Sam Broekema, editor-in-chief of Only Natural Diamonds, moderated the panel, where Eve Goldberg, William’s daughter, noted that while her father was known as an astute businessman, he was better seen as an artist.

“Every diamond to him was a work of art.… He was a perfectionist,” she said. “Every stone to him was like a child. They were all very special.

“He didn’t care about the 4Cs. He would really get upset when jewelers would go through the parcel with a loupe. He would grab the loupe from them and just say to them, ‘Look at the stone. Who cares what the paper says? It’s not about the specifications of the diamond. The perfect diamond is what makes it perfect to you.’”

Panelists also remembered great Goldberg quotes like “Don’t cheat a diamond out of its beauty,” “The diamond has to talk to you,” and “Diamonds are like God’s smiles.”

One of Goldberg’s legacies was bringing increased transparency to the industry, said Jill Newman, the book’s co-author.

“He became president of the Diamond Dealers Club to change things,” Newman said. “He was the first man to let women in [the club]. He wanted a more transparent industry, and I think it helped elevate it today and make it more authentic.”

Goldberg’s son, Saul, said, “In that era, Harry Winston would not have his picture taken and was very into secrecy. My father could not care less—he wanted to be visual, and in the papers.… He was out there at a time when it was a very secretive industry.”

William Goldberg was also generous with his time and mentored many people in the business, Eve mentioned.

“Our dad always treated everybody as equals,” she said. “He treated everybody the same, whether you were a a billionaire or someone sweeping the floors. He was very fair, always wanted to make sure people were being paid a fair wage. He always wanted to help people out.”

Cowritten by Newman and Jackie Caradonio, The William Goldberg Way was released to commemorate the William Goldberg Diamond Corporation’s 75th year in business and the 25th anniversary of its introducing the Ashoka cut. The book is available on the company’s website.

(Photo courtesy of the William Goldberg Diamond Corporation)

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