Industry Analyst And Journalist Chaim Even-Zohar Announces Retirement

(IDEX Online) – Diamond industry analyst and journalist Chaim Even-Zohar has announced his retirement after 45 years in the trade, saying the time has come to "rearrange his life priorities".

In a final announcement in his Diamond Intelligence Briefing (DIB) publication, which Even-Zohar announced he is selling, he said that "working around the clock, being subjected to considerable legal and physical threats, and constantly on the road all come at a price".

Even-Zohar wrote that he expects the DIB to be sold to an Asian buyer, which is appropriate since that is where the industry has shifted.

Even-Zohar established the Mazal U’Bracha magazine in 1984 which was taken over by Idex), as well as the Diamond Intelligence Briefs, later called Diamond Intelligence Briefing. His weekly articles in IDEX Online were eagerly awaited by the global diamond trade.

Even-Zohar wrote many industry-moving articles over the years, exposing the upgrade scandal at the GIA, mismanagement at the Diamond Dealers Club of New York and many other topics, as well as bringing to light the scale of undisclosed mixing of synthetic stones.

World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) President Ernie Blom expressed his appreciation for Even-Zohar's long-standing work. "I don't think it would be an exaggeration to say that Chaim Even-Zohar has had a huge impact on the diamond business for the past several decades. His breaking of big news and other work based on exceptional research and contacts made him a hugely important figure in our business right around the globe.

"I have known Chaim for many years, and always found him to be a person of integrity who was determined to get to the very root of stories. He would not be put off by threats, and declined to take advertisers so that he would not need to take commercial interests into account when reporting. The DIB, which so many of have looked forward to receiving every week, will be sorely missed, and Chaim will be missed even more, I am sure. On behalf of the WFDB, I send him best wishes for a long and enjoyable retirement."