Joseph Schlussel Dies

Last week, we lost one of the nicest men in the diamond industry, Joseph Schlussel. … In the trade press world, he is probably best known for producing one of the first publications devoted to the diamond industry, the Diamond Registry Bulletin. Joe started the Bulletin in 1968 and kept it going for 40 years, an amazing run for a newsletter. The Bulletin covered the 70s investment craze, the 80s crash, on through “conflict diamonds,” “Supplier of Choice,” and the current downturn—but always with a folksy touch that exhorted the industry to remember, and retain, what was good and unique about it. … Recent issues talked about staying positive amid the current bad news – wise words from a man who had been through a lot, yet never lost his warmth and good humor.