Hearts On Fire promoted Gilly Strauss to vice president of international business, a move that will bring the diamond branding and marketing company “a step closer to becoming the world leader in the diamond jewelry industry,” the company said in a statement.

Strauss, who has been with the company since its founding in 1996, has led the worldwide growth of Hearts On Fire as director of international business for the past five years.

“Gilly has been a key player in turning Hearts On Fire into a leading global brand with rapid growth in the United Kingdom, the Caribbean, Latin America and Taiwan,” Glenn Rothman, Hearts On Fire CEO. “Our goal is to continue to achieve double digit growth each year and to make inroads in Hong Kong, China, and key European markets in the near future.”

The Hearts On Fire brand presentation is in more than 500 doors in eighteen countries and represents 20% of the company’s overall business, the company said. International sales expected to grow by 35% for 2004.

The Hearts On Fire brand is distributed to several global markets, including Australia, Argentina, Dubai, UAE, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Mexico, Canada, and several Caribbean islands.

Hearts On Fire recently opened its first ever stand alone retail location in Taipei, Taiwan. The company expects to open several more stores throughout Asia and China during 2005-2006.

Established in 1996 by Rothman, Hearts On Fire specializes in the development, branding and marketing of “The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond” and luxury jewelry. It is headquartered in Boston with regional offices in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

JCK