Benma Diamonds Ltd. is one of the world's leading diamond specialists, dealing exclusively in fancy color diamonds. We deal only in rare, ethically sourced diamonds that are exquisite in color, craftsmanship and quality. We have and continue to provide unique, one of a kind green, blue, red, white, gray, black, purple, pink, orange, brown and yellow gemstones.
Benma Diamond Ltd., recognized by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), was established in 1999 by Menahem Ben David, a well-respected international authority on diamonds and gemstones with more than 40 years of experience.
Menahem Ben David's journey began in 1965 as he set sail for New York City. The young Israeli had little idea of what to expect and even fewer plans when he got there, yet he was certain that he would make his name and reputation in the Big Apple. Like so many before him, the 21-year-old Menahem arrived with little more than the clothes on his back and a few dollars in his pocket. He passed the first few months flitting between the YMCA, train station benches and anywhere else that would have him. He often found himself dining and sleeping with soldiers based in the city.
After five long, hungry months, things were looking pretty grim. With just cents to his name and nothing to eat, Menahem was given some bread and cheese by a local grocer. The simply act of kindness would ultimately change his life forever.
Menahem soon found work as a busboy at a downtown bar, and every cent that he earned was stowed away for the future. Still unsure as to how he would make his name, Menahem kept his head down trusting that an opportunity would arise.
Wishing to express his gratitude to the grocer that had helped him, Menahem feverishly tracked down the man, and after two long weeks he finally found him in Brooklyn. It was here that he was introduced to the world of diamonds.
For several months he would live with a pair of diamond dealers. Realizing the potential gain, he decided to invest all of his savings in an expedition to find these precious gems and sell them on, and he made his first trip to Colombia in 1966.
Having hired a guide and Jeep, he made the dangerous 380km roundtrip through treacherous terrains to a mine known to house precious stones. There he purchased a selection of emeralds and returned to New York unaware whether what he had would be worth anything. His initial haul sold for $15,000 making that first expedition extremely profitable. Menahem didn't stop there. He repeated the journey several more times, only ceasing when he had accumulated the capital to open his own dealership, Ben David International.
Operating from his dealership in New York, Menahem would spend the next 20 years building a reputation as an expert in the diamond and precious stones industry. His keen eye was noted for its ability to differentiate between the seemingly endless array of color shades and tones. In the diamond business you have to know what the "right" color is, and Menahem had the rare talent to identify and categorize any stone he came across. He could discern between multitudes of color variations, picking out those that were purest. He would become the undisputed authority for customers and dealers alike.
After more than 20 years in New York, Menahem finally returned home to Israel in 1987 alongside his wife and two sons. In Israel, he decided to take a break from the diamond business and try his hand at something different. He bought real estate, established a public company and worked as a businessman. Still, having fallen in love with gems so many years before, he continued to buy and deal in his own time, making frequent visits to the Bursa - the Israel Diamond Exchange.
It was during this time that Menahem purchased a green diamond. After returning home, he noted that its appearance had changed to grey. Later still, the diamond took on a hazy effect. It was unlike anything he'd seen before - he thought he was losing his mind...
As it turned out, this precious stone was found to be an extremely rare diamond. What was known later on as a "chameleon", these types of diamonds react with the surrounding environment and alter appearance when exposed to different lighting and heating conditions. So rare was the stone that Menahem allowed for it to be exhibited at the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., where it was displayed in an interactive case that demonstrated its color change.
With much encouragement from his two sons, Menahem established Benma Diamonds Ltd in 1999, making a return to the diamond industry. The company today is led by his sons, Shimon and Oren, who grew up in a house full of color, and naturally developed the impeccable talent to analyze a diamond's true color - and true worth. While Shimon and Oren have taken full reigns of the company, the elder Menahem can still be found in the background casting his eye over the operation.
At Benma Diamonds Ltd. we strive for perfection every step of the way. We deal with only the very best in fancy diamonds, ensuring that quality, authenticity and outright beauty is never compromised. We deliver an excellence to the industry and the customer that stems from more than 40 years in the business. We are proud to offer ultimate customer satisfaction, every single time.