The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
Anil Dholakia, Gem Trader and Founding Member of AGTA, Dies
He also played a part in establishing the Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers show in Tucson in 1974.
Franklin, N.C.—Anil B. Dholakia, longtime wholesale gem merchant and a founding member of the American Gem Trade Association, died June 10.
He was 85 years old.
Dholakia was born Nov. 23, 1933, in Baroda, India to Balkrishna and Shanta Dholakia.
He started his jewelry career at the age of 16, cutting gemstones in Mumbai and specializing in garnet and star ruby.
In 1957, Dholakia moved to Japan, spending three years in the gemstone trade there while also traveling to Burman, Singapore and Thailand. He relocated to the United States in 1960, residing first in New York City with his wife, Savita Dholakia.
He started his business as Adris Oriental Gem & Art Corp. in the early ‘60s and began doing trade shows all over the country, traveling to as many as 90 a year.
Dholakia was one of 12 gem dealers dubbed the “Dirty Dozen” who helped establish a new satellite gem show in Tucson, Arizona in February 1974, the Gem & Lapidary Wholesalers show, or G&LW. He was the youngest and last living member of the group, according to an online obituary.
He also was one of the founding members of the AGTA when it formed in Tucson in 1981 and served as a director of the association.
In 1994 he moved to Franklin, North Carolina, where he worked in the wholesale gem and jewelry business as Anil B. Dholakia Inc.
Dholakia had a passion for traveling to source new gemstones, and enjoyed buying and selling as well as taking part in trade shows around the world. His work took him to Japan, Hong Kong, Brazil, India, China, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Korea, Ethiopia and many other locations.
He was actively involved in his business until early 2017. His daughter, Varshana Dholakia-McGaughey, will continue to run the company under its current name.
He was a leader in the trade and loved helping people get into the business, paving the way in the gemstone sector for the Indian community. He also received numerous awards from the industry, including the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association honoring him as a leader in 2005.
Outside of the jewelry industry, Dholakia enjoyed cooking and entertaining friends and family at his home. He was married to his late wife for 63 years.
He had a degree in economics and did graduate studies
AGTA CEO Doug Hucker said: “Anil was a gentle person and a gentleman and was always willing to help new people come into the organization. He will be greatly missed.”
Dholakia is survived by his daughter, Varshana (Earl McGaughey); son Ketan Dholakia; son Samrat Dholakia (Donna); grandsons Shawn, Raja and Andrew; granddaughters Isabel and Caroline; sister, Pramila Sullivan; and nephew, William.
The Latest
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
The selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.