Press Releases

The World Diamond Museum Mourns the Passing of Harry Levy

Alex Popov and the entire World Diamond Museum (WDM) team mourn the death of Harry Levy.

Published

1 year ago

May 19, 2023

Press Releases

Harry Levy with Alex and Ira Popov in Moscow, 2010

(PRESS RELEASE) — Alex Popov and the entire World Diamond Museum (WDM) team mourn the death of Harry Levy, a diamond and colored gemstone industry leader, and visionary, who died on at the age of 83.

“Harry was one of my first encounters in the diamond and gem industry almost thirty years ago. As an intellectual and academic, Harry stood out in the industry. A mathematician by training, his mind was always sharp and he was always ready to engage in meaningful and stimulating conversation with anyone, regardless of the social or professional status,” Alex Popov, the WDM’s founder, recalled.

Most people knew Harry Levy as the president of the London Diamond Bourse, the long-time president of the International Diamond Council, the chairman of CIBJO’s Diamond Committee, or the president of Gem-A. He played a pivotal, if not decisive, role in establishing the ISO Standard 24016 for grading polished diamonds.

“For me, Harry was and will always remain a friend whom you could call any time and who would always offer a solution to any problem or situation,” Ya’akov Almor, WDM’s communications director, said. “We mourn his passing with all members of the London Diamond Bourse and its president Alan Cohen, and we send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Lotte, the children, grandchildren, and extended family. May Harry’s memory be a blessing to all who cherished him.”

She Wanted to Spend More Time with Her Kids. She Called Wilkerson.

Your children are precious. More precious than gold? Absolutely! Just ask Lesley Ann Davis, owner of Lesley Ann Jewels, an independent jewelry store that — until the end of 2023 — had quite a following in Houston, Texas. To spend more time with her four sons, all in high school, she decided to close her store. Luckily, she was familiar with Wilkerson and called them as soon as she knew she wanted to move on to bigger, better and more family-focused things. Was she happy with her decision? Yes, she was. Says Davis, “Any owner looking to make that life change, looking to retire, looking to close, looking for a pause in their career, I would recommend Wilkerson. Hands down!”