GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
MajorsMay 03, 2021
Tiffany’s Debbie Kaufman Remembered as a Bright Light With a Big Smile
The 30-year Tiffany & Co. veteran died unexpectedly in late March.
New York—Deborah Ann Kaufman, a longtime Tiffany executive known for her big smile and positive attitude, died unexpectedly March 26.
A lifelong resident of New York state, Kaufman was raised as an only child in Scarsdale.
She fell in love with the industry at a young age after traveling to Miami to visit her family’s jewelry business.
Despite having family in the business, Kaufman made her own way in the trade.
She waited on tables to pay for a degree from Baruch College in New York City, then enrolled in the Gemological Institute of America’s Graduate Gemologist program to earn her G.G. and begin her journey in the world of gems and jewelry.
After earning her G.G., Kaufman did a short stint at the GIA laboratory before moving over to Tiffany & Co., where she would stay for 30 years.
Kaufman started in Tiffany’s jewelry crafting operation.
Eventually, her passion for diamonds drew her to the storied jeweler’s diamond acquisition team, where she performed multiple roles in the grading lab and buying office, eventually ascending to the position of director of diamond acquisition.
In a memorial penned by colleagues, Kaufman was described as a “bright light” with a big smile. She was approachable, open, kind, and fair.
She always found the best in others, said her colleagues, and everyone who knew Kaufman remembers her having a positive attitude that was infectious.
“Debbie loved Tiffany and she loved diamonds,” her memorial reads.
“But, most of all, she loved people and the relationships she formed. We will always remember Debbie for her brilliance, sparkle, and shine. She was truly one of a kind.”
Kaufman is survived by her mother, Jacqui Goldman; her father, Stuart Kaufman; and her son, K-Marcus Cruz-Kaufman.
To honor her memory, a scholarship fund is being established in Kaufman’s name at GIA. Those interested in donating to the fund can email debbiesGiafund@gmail.com.
A lifelong resident of New York state, Kaufman was raised as an only child in Scarsdale.
She fell in love with the industry at a young age after traveling to Miami to visit her family’s jewelry business.
Deborah Ann Kaufman
Despite having family in the business, Kaufman made her own way in the trade.
She waited on tables to pay for a degree from Baruch College in New York City, then enrolled in the Gemological Institute of America’s Graduate Gemologist program to earn her G.G. and begin her journey in the world of gems and jewelry.
After earning her G.G., Kaufman did a short stint at the GIA laboratory before moving over to Tiffany & Co., where she would stay for 30 years.
Kaufman started in Tiffany’s jewelry crafting operation.
Eventually, her passion for diamonds drew her to the storied jeweler’s diamond acquisition team, where she performed multiple roles in the grading lab and buying office, eventually ascending to the position of director of diamond acquisition.
In a memorial penned by colleagues, Kaufman was described as a “bright light” with a big smile. She was approachable, open, kind, and fair.
She always found the best in others, said her colleagues, and everyone who knew Kaufman remembers her having a positive attitude that was infectious.
“Debbie loved Tiffany and she loved diamonds,” her memorial reads.
“But, most of all, she loved people and the relationships she formed. We will always remember Debbie for her brilliance, sparkle, and shine. She was truly one of a kind.”
Kaufman is survived by her mother, Jacqui Goldman; her father, Stuart Kaufman; and her son, K-Marcus Cruz-Kaufman.
To honor her memory, a scholarship fund is being established in Kaufman’s name at GIA. Those interested in donating to the fund can email debbiesGiafund@gmail.com.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2025
Take the Jewelers for Children ‘Trinity of Purpose’ ChallengeParticipants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
