William Goldberg Leaves Mark in Diamond Industry
By Tara J. McKenna

William Goldberg, chief executive officer of The William Goldberg Diamond Corporation, died Oct. 20 from pancreatic cancer. The larger-than-life figure, with his signature flowing white hair and gregarious smile, was a living symbol of the slogan he coined for his company, “The Magic is in the Make.” He was 77.

“To me, Bill Goldberg was a mountain, a pillar of the diamond trade in America,” said GIA President William E. Boyajian. “Best known for years as an outspoken advocate for the industry, a former president of the New York Diamond Dealers Club, and a visible personality in the marketplace, Goldberg did more than perhaps anyone in the U.S. to romanticize the diamond trade and represent it at its best.”

Goldberg didn’t start in the industry with plans to be one of its strongest allies. In fact, he began his career expecting to work behind the scenes as a diamond cutter. But he quickly learned that diamond cutting was not his forte when he was let go from his first cutting job at Harry Winston in 1948.

“I think that because I was so unskilled as a cutter, I developed a much stronger appreciation, even a passion, for extremely well-made diamonds,” Goldberg once said.

He discovered an outlet for his passion – merchandising – when he partnered with Irving Weiss to found Goldberg & Weiss in 1952. The company flourished throughout the ’50s and ’60s, but Goldberg ventured off to start his own business in 1973. He became a De Beers sightholder and founded his own corporation.

The company thrived under his leadership and philosophy – to never maximize the weight of a stone at the expense of beauty. Goldberg became internationally known for his motto and for his company’s work with larger stones such as the 137.02-carat Premier Rose, the 89-carat Guinea Star and the 5.11-carat Red Shield, a.k.a., The Moussaieff Red – the largest red diamond graded by GIA to date.

His daughter, Eve Goldberg, said her father’s greatest legacy was his ability to pass on his love and appreciation of diamonds to others.

“My dad motivated many people in our business to better themselves,” she said. “His passion to cut only the most beautiful diamonds elevated our business and many people followed him in their pursuit of the most beautifully cut stone possible.”

Goldberg became known as one of the diamond industry’s most visible spokespersons when he was elected president of the New York Diamond Dealers Club in 1978. He served in that capacity through 1984 and instituted many changes, such as opening the club to the media and allowing women to become members.

He remained an active member of the Diamond Dealers Club throughout his life and was a strong philanthropic supporter of industry and non-industry organizations alike. A longtime friend of GIA, he was also a member of the League of Honor. 

“Bill Goldberg was larger-than-life, and he leaves an indelible mark on those he touched,” Boyajian said. “I, for one, will miss him greatly, as he was a true friend to me and to GIA.”

Goldberg is survived by his wife, Lili, a son, Saul, two daughters, Eve and Deborah, son-in-law, Barry, and eight grandchildren.