DIAMOND CUTTERS AND IMPORTERS
Toll-Free: (800) 942-1800 a
Local: (312) 236-9133
Email: sales@idj.com

History of the IDJ Corporation

Diamonds

1964 - David Navon, age 8, immigrates with his family to Chicago from Tel-Aviv, Israel. His father Benny, a diamond cutter by trade, opens up a Midwest sales office for a large Israeli diamond manufacturer.

1976 - David Navon graduates with BS degrees in Business Economics & Finance from Southern Illinois University. He then joins his father's diamond business, National Gems, which has since relocated to Los Angeles. David travels the West extensively for the company and gains tremendous experience during the roller-coaster days of the late 70's diamond investment boom.

1980 - Mike Davidov, a family member and respected veteran in the diamond industry takes on David and, together as partners, re-open a Midwest diamond office. As the market suffers a disastrous decline, Navon and his company thrive on their ability to quickly adapt to the changes taking place in the overseas markets and sell very competitively here at home.

1983 - IDJ is founded by Iris Navon, David's wife, as a finished jewelry company to the trade. Iris brings with her a wealth of jewelry experience derived from her family's retail businesses in Las Vegas, and manufacturing businesses in New York. IDJ complements the diamond business Mr. Navon currently owns.

1986 - David Navon sells his interest in the diamond company and moves to IDJ full time. Although the jewelry line has proven to be profitable and shows a tremendous potential for growth, it requires vast resources. Many more employees would be needed to manage the many departments, including service, which a successful jewelry manufacturer must have. "We decided to concentrate on what we know best, diamonds." James Liacone joins IDJ and steadily learns all aspects of running a successful diamond house. Barb Salberg, David's sister joins as well.

1990 - David's father, Benny Hahamy rejoins his son and side-by-side take the company into the next millennium.

1995 - Todd Epstein joins the firm after traveling extensively in the Midwest with a jewelry line. Leslie Vore and later, Clorresa Carlson also join the IDJ family. The young, hungry and energy driven style of the company matches their endless stamina.

2006 - After serving the Southeast US for nearly 15 years, Ron Hahamy, David's youngest sibling, merges his existing diamond firm with IDJ adding even more diversity of clientele as well as a fresh perspective on diamond marketing and sales.

2008 to Present – With the devastating economic downturn, the term "change or die" becomes highly relevant. In this new environment, lackluster sales and fierce competition coupled with slim margins pose a challenge not seen for over 20 years. But with this challenge comes an opportunity to operate smarter and much more efficiently. The effort and high level of energy needed to sustain a successful diamond company continues at IDJ. This trait, present in all of our personnel, is by far our greatest strength. The fortitude, intensity and spirit that built this company continues today as we tackle the new challenges and opportunities our ever changing industry presents. WE CONSTANTLY STRIVE TO FOSTER THE SAME CLOSE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT THAT DEFINES IDJ WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR VALUED CLIENTS.