Remembering Sylvain Ringer

I was away so I did not hear the news until now. Sylvain was a friend of mine for many years--since 1982. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. We often lunched together at the club, along with Marty Hochbaum, sharing ideas and laughs. In both Antwerp and New York, he worked hard to bring diamantaires together for constructive projects. We will all miss him.

I only met him briefly but my recollection was of a charming, sincere, and elegant man of great education and discernment. My condolences to his family on their very personal loss, as well as the diamond community's overall loss.

I first met Sylvain in the mid 1970s in Antwerp, when he was one of the leading buyers of Russian goods. His company also provided administrative services for a number of foreign wholesalers, and he was a staunch supporter of the Antwerp magazine, Diamant. After the market shakeout in the early 1980s, he migrated to New York, where he rebuilt his business. He celebrated America as a land of opportunity and eventually became an American citizen. He had a sharp mind and was always convivial and generous to his many friends. As Rob indicates, he had an impish sense of humour. He will be greatly missed.