Look Book

E 16 W W W.THEJEWELRYBOOK.COM W I L L I A M L E V I N E O N T H E C O V E R ven in an industry that boasts so many family-owned, independent businesses, David Levine stands out as a 4th generation diamond dealer & jewelry manufacturer. In fact, he had the pleasure of working alongside his father and grandfather (the company namesake) for decades before each retired. So in his role as President of William Levine Fine Jewelry, David has many, many years of shared experi- ences to draw upon as he leads the company in evolving the business for the 21st century. David didn't originally plan on carrying the Levine mantle; in fact, he'd thought he would become a teacher. But after graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in political science, he took an opportunity to spend 9 months working in a Belgian diamond- cutting factory, and a lifelong passion for diamonds began to take hold. Soon after, he began working out of William Levine's Chicago offi ce, traveling around the world as a buyer. He was one of the fi rst to negotiate the Indian market for high-quality, fancy cut diamonds, while the New York dealers only thought of that market for melee and smaller cuts. Then, when the distribution model changed, and international suppliers shook up the U.S. market, William Levine adjusted by launching a fi ne jewelry division to supplement their core diamond business. Over 20 years later, the company is known for their traditional, elegant aesthetic in bridal, cocktail, and spectacular one-of-a-kind designs. Looking to 2015 and beyond, David will be focusing on higher-end diamonds (3 carats+) as they have been a sweet spot for the business, and it's a specialty that few other houses can accom- modate. He also sees demand for fancy yellow diamonds picking up again, and predicts they will fi gure prominently over the coming year. On the other end of the spectrum, David is optimistic about a new white topaz line that he debuted at the 2014 trade shows. Set in 18K gold, it's a collection that is positioned a bit differently than others at a similar price point, and received a lot of interest. High-jewelry craftsmanship and quality with a "big" look seems to be a formula that continues to gain momentum, and could also be a great fi t for bridal, beyond the fashion jewelry category. Although David is always interested in testing new designs and approaches, he wants to maintain William Levine Fine Jewels as the traditional choice for his retail outlets. Accord- ingly, his core offering of fi nest-quality round brilliant diamonds and diamond stud earrings and tennis bracelets will always be presented front and center, supplemented by beautifully designed precious gemstone classics, ready for the next generation to wear and pass down as future heirlooms. By Allyson Bainbridge Riccardi William Levine Fine Jewels on a Journey Towards the Future Diamonds by the Generation

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