Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
IndependentsFeb 23, 2018
Carlos Gandia, Founder of Greenwich Jewelers, Dies at 76
He started as a bench jeweler at the age of 17 and was “never happier than when he was creating a piece of jewelry.”
Carlos Gandia, seen her with his wife and business partner Milly, was a “master jeweler” who was “never happier than when he was creating a piece of jewelry,” his daughters wrote on Facebook. Gandia died Monday at the age of 76. (Photo courtesy Greenwich St. Jewelers Facebook page)
New York--Carlos Gandia, who owned and operated Greenwich Jewelers alongside his wife for 32 years, died Monday. He was 76.
Born Sept. 3 1941, Gandia started in the business at the age of 17 as a jeweler’s apprentice, then model-maker and bench jeweler before opening his own booth in an exchange in New York’s Diamond District.
One day in 1976, he came home to his wife Milly with an ad that read, “Jewelry Store for Sale.” The couple saw their opportunity and opened Greenwich Jewelers, named for its location on Greenwich Street in Lower Manhattan.
The couple built their business with Carlos on the bench and Milly behind the counter, operating per the central tenet passed on to them by the man who sold them the store and acted as a mentor: Treat everyone who comes in as you would a guest in your home.
Gandia, who was known to everyone as Carl, loved being on the bench making jewelry and his clients, whom he considered to be friends.
During the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the building housing the store sustained structural damage, and Carlos and Milly, along with daughters Jennifer and Christina, were forced to move to nearby Trinity Place.
“One of the greatest joys of our lives is when we all worked together in the store as a family,” Jennifer Gandia and Christina Gandia Gambale wrote in a tribute to their father posted on the store’s Facebook page Thursday. “We came together in the wake of 9/11 to do all we could to keep the business alive. And together we thrived.”
In 2008, Carlos and Milly retired, leaving the business to their daughters, who recently renamed it Greenwich St. Jewelers as a nod to its original location.
“Carl was a dreamer who had the audacity to believe a Puerto Rican from the humblest of beginnings could become a businessman, serve his community and make a better life for his family,” Jennifer and Christina wrote.
“He instilled in us the values of honesty, hard work, service and of having fun while doing it all. We are forever grateful for his example, his love and the gift of this business where we can carry on a legacy of jewelry, the most precious marker of memories and moments in time.”
Viewings took place at McLaughlin Funeral Home in Brooklyn on Thursday. Services were set for Friday
at the Church of St. Patrick, 9511 4th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11209
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gandia’s favorite charity, Operation Smile.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gandia’s favorite charity, Operation Smile.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
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.
WatchesJul 24, 2025
Breitling Drops Super Bowl Watch Honoring the Philadelphia Eagles The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeJul 23, 2025
JSA Warns of Violent String of Smash-and-Grabs in California JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.
CollectionsJul 23, 2025
Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Kashmir’ Collection Is a Tribute to Northern IndiaThe “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJul 22, 2025
Jewelry With a Rock ‘n’ Roll Aesthetic Heads to Sotheby’s LondonNext week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.
SourcingJul 22, 2025
Antwerp Diamond Heist Documentary Coming to Netflix“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.
ColumnistsJul 22, 2025
The Gifting Gap: How to Market Jewelry Beyond the HolidaysEmmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2025
NY Now’s Summer Market Returns in AugustThe wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.
MajorsJul 21, 2025
Rio Grande Expands Personalization OfferingsAs demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
NAJA’s 2025 ‘Ace It’ Conference To Go VirtualThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.
TrendsJul 21, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Graduated With Honors Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at DiavikProduction at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
