Illustrated Guide

to the natural beauty and value of coloured diamonds

Internationally Acclaimed Experts

Stephen Hershoff

The senior executive and Managing Director of Pastor-Genève b.v.b.a., Stephen Hershoff, has devoted over 40 years to the world of precious stones. Beginning in London, England in the 1960s, Mr. Hershoff was a dealer in diamonds, opals and other coloured gems. Throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s he concentrated on servicing a private client base of international collectors and connoisseurs at the dealer level. In the early 1980s he moved to North America to assume responsibility for a company that became one of the four most important gem dealers recommended by the Dow Jones-Irwin Guide to fine gems and jewelry. Mr. Hershoff is a past author of articles published in many industry and consumer publications, including Modern Jeweller, Financial Services Times, and Wealth magazine. He is an accomplished speaker and has been invited to appear at many trade functions over the years, including the prestigious Investment Seminars Incorporated Symposium.

At Pastor-Genève, Mr. Hershoff is at the nerve centre of an international network of relationships, founded on many years of mutual trust, with independent dealers, brokers and consultants. He is senior liaison with the firm’s Advisory Committee and oversees production of the “coloured Diamond Chronicle,” a Pastor-Genève publication considered required reading for coloured diamond connoisseurs and collectors worldwide.

Mr. Hershoff will direct a full schedule of client education seminars in cities in Europe and North America, many featuring Mr. Stephen C. Hofer.

Mr. Hofer has published numerous technical papers and is a former columnist for “New York Diamonds” magazine. He lectures extensively and will embark on a series of international appearances, sponsored by Pastor- Genève.

“... The market for fancy colour diamonds is truly an arena in which collectors do battle to possess these ultimately rare and spectacular objects...the number of these stones available at any one time is so small, that statistics cannot be applied, and the price of every stone is as unique as the object in question... ” J.E. Arem 1982

Stephen C. Hofer

Stephen C. Hofer is considered to be the world’s ranking technical and scientific authority on colour measurement in coloured diamonds.

In a business that is thousands of years old, Mr. Hofer is a modern pioneer. He has developed new ways of measuring colour and colour saturation, developing a unique grading system for coloured diamonds which is now universally recognized. An accomplished cutter himself, he encouraged and advanced the art and science of diamond-cutting for optimum colour and has been an advisor to many owners of priceless rough coloured diamonds.

It is because of Mr. Hofer’s influence that many skilled diamond cutters now strive to accentuate colour even more than size and clarity. He is the author of “Collecting and Classifying Coloured Diamonds,” the 800-page standard reference book for industry professionals and consumers alike, a book known for its scientific and technical insights. At Pastor-Genève, Mr. Hofer personally advises the firm and its suppliers prior to the purchase of each and every coloured diamond sourced on behalf of our clients. He is an advisor to Christie’s and Sotheby’s New York as well as to many of the industry’s most important dealers.

What the experts said about Stephen C. Hofer’s book on coloured diamonds:

“May I congratulate you on the production of this important work.”
Nicholas Oppenheimer, Chairman, De Beers

“The book is an extensive and carefully thought out work which is immediately a necessary reference tool for anyone who is professionally involved with coloured diamonds.”
John Block, Vice Chairman Sotheby’s

“This book is without question the benchmark for the extraordinary world of coloured diamonds. Any other publications, past, present or future, will be measured against this.”
Simon Teakle, Senior Vice-President, Christie’s