Press Releases

Rapaport Diamond Corporation Appoints David Lee CEO

Trading division to significantly expand auction services in 2024.

Published

8 months ago

February 1, 2024

Press Releases

(PRESS RELEASE) RAPAPORT — New York… Rapaport Diamond Corporation (RDC), the US auction and trading company of the Rapaport Group announces the appointment of David Lee as the Chief Executive Officer and Michelle Ickowics as the Chief Operating Officer of the company.

Rapaport Diamond Corporation Appoints David Lee CEO

The team will be working together to significantly expand the Group’s auction and trading activities with additional emphasis on gems and jewelry. RDC is currently the world’s largest recycler of diamonds, with auction sales of over 400,000 carats per year. The Rapaport Price List, RapNet, and Information services will continue to be owned and operated by Rapaport USA Inc., a separate company headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We are excited to welcome David to Rapaport Diamond Corporation. Working together with Michelle, a 14-year Rapaport veteran, I am confident they will maintain Rapaport’s ethical values as they grow our diamond trading business and expand operations to gems and jewelry. We anticipate increased opportunity in the jewelry trade as elderly consumers sell their jewelry”, said Martin Rapaport, chairman of the Rapaport Group.

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”