The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) mourned the loss of Harry Levy, a revered figure in the industry, who passed away on 15th May, 2023, at the age of 83 in London. Harry Levy’s remarkable career spanned various roles in CIBJO and other industry organisations, both in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Levy spent the majority of his life as a respected gemstone dealer, owning and managing a highly regarded company in London’s Hatton Garden district. However, he maintained his scholarly pursuits and became a globally recognised authority in gemmology. Simultaneously, he dedicated a significant portion of his time to public service in the industry. At CIBJO, he held alternating positions as President and Vice President of the Coloured Stone Commission. He also served on the Gemmological Commission and presided over the Diamond Commission for a decade before continuing as its Vice President until his passing.

Harry’s commitment to public service extended beyond CIBJO. He served as President of the International Diamond Council, the supreme gemmological authority of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA). In his home country, he held two terms as President of the London Diamond Bourse, the prominent diamond trade organisation in the United Kingdom. Additionally, he served as President of Gem-A, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, and as President of the British Jewellers Association.

One of Harry Levy’s most significant achievements occurred in July 2015 when the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published the ground-breaking International Standard 18323, titled “Jewellery — Consumer confidence in the diamond industry.” Levy served as the Chairman of the Working Group responsible for formulating the standard. The final version aligned with the definitions outlined in CIBJO’s Diamond Blue Book, which were also endorsed by the International Diamond Council (IDC).

“Harry embodied the finest qualities of CIBJO,” remarked Gaetano Cavalieri, President of the World Jewellery Confederation. “He was a true gentleman, soft-spoken, gentle, polite, and possessed an unwavering moral compass. He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the mission of establishing harmonised standards for our industry, blending the intellectual excellence of an academic with the pragmatism of a gem trader.”