Helzberg Diamonds

American jewelry retailer
Helzberg Diamonds
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded1915; 109 years ago (1915), in Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
FounderMorris Helzberg
Headquarters,
U.S.
Number of locations
200+ stores (2017)[1][2]
Area served
United States
Key people
Brad Hampton (CEO)[3]
ProductsJewelry
ParentBerkshire Hathaway
Websitewww.helzberg.com

Helzberg Diamonds is a jewelry retailer founded in 1915 by Morris Helzberg that has 210 stores in 36 US states.[1]

Leadership

A Helzberg Diamonds shop in Arlington, VA

In April 2009, Beryl Raff, former executive vice president and general merchandise manager of fine jewelry at JCPenney, was named chairman and chief executive officer of Helzberg.[2] Raff was succeeded at CEO in 2022 by Brad Hampton.[4]

History

Soon after Helzberg's founding, Morris Helzberg became ill and the company was taken over by his son, Barnett Helzberg Sr., at the age of 14. In 1963, Barnett Sr. became Chairman of the Board and his son, Barnett Helzberg Jr., took over company operations.[5] Barnett replaced his father in the Chairman position in 1988. Barnett Jr. sold the company to Berkshire Hathaway, owned by Warren Buffett, in 1995, and authored the book What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett[6]

In 2017, Helzberg closed several stores, though customers who purchased Lifetime Care warranties are still able to utilize other stores for regular cleanings and inspections, or mail the jewelry to the company's service center.

References

  1. ^ a b "About Helzberg Diamonds Fine Jewelry Store Online - Helzberg Diamonds". Helzberg Diamonds. 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-05-29. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  2. ^ a b Halkias, Maria (April 6, 2009). "Penney's top jewelry exec Beryl Raff leaving for Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on April 10, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  3. ^ "New CEO to take reins of Helzberg Diamonds".
  4. ^ "New CEO to take reins of Helzberg Diamonds".
  5. ^ "Our Story: 1960-1969". Helzberg Diamonds. Archived from the original on 2009-05-19. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
  6. ^ Helzberg, Barnett C. (2003). What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Developing a Highly Successful Company. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-471-27114-7. Archived from the original on 2022-11-11 – via Google Books.

External links

  • Helzberg Diamonds
  • Berkshire Hathaway
  • Beryl Raff
  • v
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