Guy Benhamou (pictured), who headed both the Charles Garnier Paris and OroAmerica jewelry brands, died on June 9 of cancer. He was 69.
In 1977, Benhamou founded OroAmerica with Gianfranco Proia, whose shares Benhamou eventually bought out. The gold chain company was known for attention-getting gimmicks such as having Mr. T advertise “Rope Chain…for the Toughest Customers.” It also acquired a number of companies, including Eclipse Design and Jerry Prince.
In 2001, Benhamou sold OroAmerica to Aurafin, making the combined company among the largest jewelry manufacturers in the United States. It became part of Richline in 2007.
In 2002, Benhamou bought the Charles Garnier Paris brand and moved its operations to California. In 2018, that brand merged with Elle Jewelry to form Paris 1901, owned by PAJ.
Benhamou also served as a member of the board of directors of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
Andrew Concool, who worked with Benhamou for decades, remembered him as a “dynamic” leader who challenged conventions in the industry.
“He loved a good plate of food, he loved people, he loved his family,” he says. “He especially loved the jewelry industry and made the people he worked with in jewelry his family.”
Benhamou is survived by a daughter, Jordana; a son, David; and sisters Lynda and Danielle.
(Photo courtesy of Andrew Concool)
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