Israel Beck

Israel Beck (1891–1972) was a founding member of the Antwerpsche Diamantkring,[1][2] the world's largest and first-ever diamond bourse to be dedicated to rough diamonds trade. He was President of the Board from 1961 until his death in 1972.[1] By that time, he had served benevolently 43 years as a member of the Board, promoting diamond trade internationally and the Antwerp diamond industry in particular, and representing the Antwerpsche Diamantkring at the World Diamond Congress.[2]

Israel Beck

Knight of the Order of Leopold II
Born1891 (1891)
Sanok, Galicia (southern Poland)
Died1972 (aged 80–81)
Antwerp, Belgium
Resting placePutte, Netherlands
NationalityPolish, Belgian
OccupationDiamond trader
Years active1907-1972
EmployerBeck Diamonds
OrganizationAntwerpsche Diamantkring
TitlePresident of the Board
Term1961-1972
PredecessorFrans Beukelaar
SuccessorMichel Fraenkel
Board member ofAntwerpsche Diamantkring
SpouseHelena Beck-Blitz
Children
  • Isaac Beck
  • Edith Beck
  • Leopold Beck
Parents
  • Dayan (Rabbinical Judge) Kalman Wolf Beck
  • Ethel Beck
Relatives
  • Axel Beck (grandson)
  • Raoul Beck (grandson)
Websitebeck-diamonds.com

Early life

Beck was born in 1891 in Sanok, southern Poland (a region which was known as Galicia). He married Helena Blitz, with whom he had three children (Isaac, Edith, and Leopold). In 1907 he joined his future father in law, Louis (Levie) Blitz, to become the third generation of family members in the diamond trade.

Between World War I and World War II

Beck co-founded the Antwerpsche Diamantkring,[2] and became in 1929 a member of its first Board of Directors immediately upon its establishment as the first diamond bourse worldwide for rough diamond trade. By 1932 he opened a new diamond factory with his brother, in the center of the diamond district in Antwerp.

During World War II

Beck and his family fled Belgium during World War II, crossing France and finding shelter during the final years of the war as refugees in Geneva, Switzerland.

After World War II

The diamond industry in Antwerp had to recover from the many human losses that were suffered during the Second World War. After the war, Beck returned to Antwerp and benevolently dedicated much of his time and attention to the rebuilding of Antwerp's diamond trade and the industry.[3] In 1957 he became Vice-president of the Board of the Antwerpsche Diamantkring, and in 1961 he was elected President of the Board.

Memberships to other Boards of directors

Honors and awards
  • Knight of the Order of Leopold II, appointed by his Majesty King Baudouin of Belgium on January 4, 1955, in recognition of the services rendered to the Kingdom of Belgium and in particular for the development of the diamonds trade in Antwerp.
  • Honorary distinction granted on 19 November 1968 by the Diamantexpo for his contributions to the industry as Board member[4]

Subsequent family members to enter the diamond business

Israel Beck's two sons Isaac and Leopold Beck joined the family business,[5] becoming the fourth generation of diamond traders. Leopold Beck has been heading Beck Diamonds in Antwerp since 1972. Leopold Beck's two sons became the fifth generation of diamond traders in the family: Axel Beck joined Beck Diamonds in 1995,[6][7] whereas Raoul Beck joined in 1997 and heads DiamAlps in Switzerland,[8][9][10] and Hauthentic Jewellery in Switzerland.[11]

References
  1. "History | The Rough Diamond Bourse". Antwerpsche Diamantkring.
  2. "Overlijden" [In memoriam]. De Belgische Diamantnijverheid (Statutory publication) (in Dutch). Antwerp, Belgium: Syndikaat der Belgische Diamantnijverheid. 46 (1): 3. January 1973.
  3. "Jewelers' Circular/Keystone". Jewelers Circular Keystone. Vol. 133, no. 1–8. Chilton Company. 1970. p. 96.
  4. "DIAMANTEXPO huldigt verdienstelijke Medewerkers" [DIAMOND EXPO honors meritorious Contributors], nl:Volksgazet (Newspaper) (in Dutch), Antwerp, Belgium: nl:Uitgeverij Ontwikkeling, p. 16, November 20, 1968
  5. Paula Luttringer (1994). DIAMONDS! DIAMONDS! (Television production). Directed by Patricia Desmortiers and Hélène Weigand. Antwerp, Belgium: National Geographic Channel. 24 minutes in. Leopold, an expert
  6. de Chalvron, Marc (November 7, 2015). "Le marché du diamant en plein bouleversement" [The diamond market in turmoil]. Le JT de 20 Heures de France 2 [The 8pm TV News] (Television News) (in French). Paris, France: France 2. 14 minutes in.
  7. "Beck Diamonds". Official site.
  8. Sacco, Francesca (October 20, 2015). "Diamants: distinguer le vrai du faux" [Diamonds: distinguishing real from fake]. Science&Medecine. Le Monde (in French). No. 188. Paris. p. 2.
  9. Sacco, Francesca (October 3, 2015). "Les diamants synthétiques minent le secteur de la joaillerie" [Synthetic diamonds undermine the jewellery sector]. Sciences. Le Temps (in French). No. 5323. Geneva. p. 28.
  10. "Diamond traders". DiamAlps, official site.
  11. "Un diamantaire belgo-suisse étend la traçabilité des diamants jusqu'au bijou avec Hauthentic" [Diamond Traceability Extended up to Jewellery by Belgo-Swiss Diamantaire with Hauthentic] (Press release) (in French). Geneva: Business Wire. Agence France-Presse. June 23, 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
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