Editor’s Note
This article explores how Israel’s diamond industry thrives not only through technology and startups, but also through traditional craftsmanship and savvy entrepreneurship—exemplified by veteran dealer Leibish Polnauer. It highlights the unique challenges and enduring allure of selling precious stones in the digital age.
Israel, known for its high-tech companies and a vibrant startup scene, is also one of the leading powers in the diamond industry. This is also due to Leibish Polnauer, who sells diamonds online. This comes with some hurdles.
Leibish Polnauer looks at the model’s fingers. “These hands!” The patriarch of the house is thrilled. But what delights the 68-year-old even more is what the model is wearing on her finger: “What a beautiful, what an incredibly beautiful stone!”
The Israeli diamond dealer was one of the first in his guild, if not the very first, to offer his goods directly via the internet. This presents a high hurdle: Because the customers not only have to pay in advance, often several tens or even hundreds of thousands of US dollars, before the treasures are shipped.
But ultimately, diamonds are a commodity like any other, and dealers can and do not want to close themselves off from the new era.