Endeavor Diversified
Dial
ond
Miner
Arnold Schiffman is not content to
sell gems — lie studies them, pursues
them around the globe, and tells the
world about them.
By GLENN
ПАИНЕК
There is an old superstition that
bad luck will come to anyone who
touches the Hope Diamond. Arnold
Schiffman has touched it. along with
a lot of other gems, and they have
brought him nothing but good luck,
a full life, and an intense love for
precious stones and the lore surround¬
ing them.
Long ago, this Greensboro jeweler
discovered that gems had a fascination
aside from their value as commodities
of trade. Perhaps that is why he is
not only the state’s leading authority
on precious stones, but also one of
its most successful gem merchants, and
its only diamond miner.
Schiffman's interest in gems has led
him to the diamond countries of F.urope
and South America, where he visits the
diamond and emerald-cutting centers
and personally imports his stock. In
his most recent visit to Brazil, he could
not resist the temptation to buy a
partnership in a diamond mine — one
of South America’s best — and so he
might be considered an “integrated in¬
dustrialist," as they say in textiles —
he handles the stuff from the ground
right to your bride's finger.
It was while on a trip to Europe
with the Rotary Club in 1924 that he
became convinced that another World
War was coming in his generation. His
store promptly dropped its stock of
continental china, and heavily pro-
Arnold Schiffman
moted Lennox china, and its interest
was instrumental to persuading Syra¬
cuse to re-enter the tableware business.
The move paid off later when it was
difficult to buy continental ware.
The passion for pretty stones prompt¬
ed Schiffman to complete a course in
mineralogy under Columbia's extension
program, and in 1942 he became the
1 1 5th person in the United States and
Canada to receive the Certified Gem-
ologist degree of the American Gem
Society and Gemological Institute of
America at Los Angeles.
The same deep interest has led him
into other departures. While most
jewelers were trying to sell rings, Schiff¬
man started a radio program “Stories
of the Stones," now heard weekly. The
program, nine years old, has main¬
tained its character as an educational
venture, staying clear of commercial¬
ization. When TV came to Greensboro,
Schiffman bought the weekly show,
“Let's Visit," starring beautiful Anne
Jeffries. This show, now 16 months
old. as well as the older radio pro¬
gram. is devoted to stories about spe¬
cific gems, the manufacture of china,
qualities of good crystal and precious
metals, silver design and other facets
of the jewelry’ business.
Schiffman grew up in the jewelry
business. The store was founded in
1893 by Simon Schiffman. who bought
out a bankrupt firm in that year. He
found a large stock of very poor, plated
silverware in the store and sold it,
telling customers: “It’s no good; take
it at your ow n price." Over-the-counter
honesty has been stock in trade ever
since.
Nineteen - year - old Arnold came
home from his studies at Chapel Hill in
1919 to take over the business when
his father became ill. He and his
brother. Harold, shared responsibility
until Harold’s death in 1948.
Now Mrs. Schiffman is secretary-
treasurer of the firm. She was Camille
Brinkley of Manteo, born in England,
educated at Woman’s College, and prior
to her marriage, instructor in physical
education.
The two of them have piled a lot
of living on top of their professional
activities. The Schiffmans are ardent
fishermen, and on their farm they main¬
tain a variety of livestock. This in¬
cludes a cow, a yearly litter of pigs, a
miniature Doberman, a cocker spaniel,
and Jerry the Cat. There is a bowl of
tropical fish and a pair of lovebirds. In
addition, they raise one or two Black
( Continued on page 17)
'v fiS ^
CAFETERIAS
CHARLOTTE ASHEVILLE RALEIGH CHATTANOOGA
KNOXVILLE ATLANTA ROANOKE WASHINGTON
440 NOW IN GREENSBORO
THE STATE. January 12. 1952
1 1
