Laurence Graff Receives Order of the British Empire

Laurence Graff, founder of the one world’s most successful jewelry brands, has received one of the highest honors awarded by the British Monarchy. He has been named to Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honors List, receiving a “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” for his “Services to Jewelry.”

The OBE recognizes distinguished service to the arts and sciences and public services outside the civil service and work with charitable and welfare organizations.

The 75-year-old chairman of Graff Diamonds began his career in jewelry at the age of 15 working as a jeweler’s apprentice in London’s Hatton Garden. Sixty years later the British-born billionaire leads a global luxury jewelry business with boutiques in UK and Europe, North America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Also during this time, he has taken ownership of some of the world’s rarest and most precious diamonds and gemstones, including the Wittelsbach-Graff, the Idol’s Eye, the Imperial Blue, the Blue Ice, the Magnificence, the Graff Pink, the Delaire Sunrise, the Graff Constellation, the Flame and the Graff Sweethearts.

“From humble beginnings and a lifetime working in the industry, I am extremely proud to receive such an honor,” Graff said. “I was born to be amongst diamonds, they are my true passion and this passion translates into everything I do.”

A total of 1,180 people were named on the Birthday Honors list, released June 15. The British Honors System is made up of five awards of differing rank. In descending order, they are as follows:

* Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE)
* Knight Commander or Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE or DBE)
* Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
* Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
* Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

The highest two ranks entitle its recipient to become a knight or dame.

The awards are presented twice each year in June (Queen’s Birthday Honors) and on New Year’s Eve.

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Diamond Empowerment Fund to Honor Tiffany & Co. and Leo Schachter

Global luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co. and Leo Schachter Diamonds will be honored for global leadership in helping empower people in Africa, at the second annual GOOD Awards on January 10, 2013.

The GOOD Awards, established by the Diamond Empowerment Fund in 2012, are the highest awards to recognize individuals and corporations in the diamond and jewelry industry for outstanding leadership in the areas of good corporate citizenship, sustainability, and promoting opportunity in Africa.

Tiffany & Co. has been in the forefront of promoting business practices and programs that benefit communities in which diamonds are sourced. Tiffany’s work in Botswana and other diamond producing countries highlights one of the many ways the company demonstrates accountability through best business practices resulting in employment, infrastructure improvements, and ultimately the empowerment of people in that region.

Leo Schachter Diamonds was one of the first diamond companies to establish a cutting factory in Botswana, employing hundreds of locals. In addition, Elliot Tannenbaum, principal of Leo Schachter Diamonds, in partnership with the government of Botswana, helped to establish the Botswana Top Achievers Program, a DEF beneficiary, that funds top students from the nation to study at the university of their choice worldwide.

Additional honorees will be announced soon. For more information on tickets, journal ads and sponsorship packages please visit www.goodawards.org.

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