Serge Fradkoff – The Man Who Sublimated Diamonds

Serge Fradkoff, a Renaissance man who established himself as a respected figure in several noteworthy fields and has dedicated a significant part of his career to building a reputation as a preeminent and trusted jeweler. He held in his hands the most extraordinary and rarest stones on the planet, including his favorite, the Dona Vivid Pink, a pink diamond weighing 18.18 carats whose current value is around 30 million dollars.

In the realm of jewelry and gems, Mr. Fradkoff is renowned for the 20 years he spent alongside jeweler Harry Winston, nicknamed “the Napoleon of precious stones”, and the largest seller of rough diamonds in the world. During the 20 years spent alongside Harry Winston, Mr. Fradkoff spent the first five years of his time learning the trade, and the next 14 years as the right-hand man of Harry Winston, and the last as working under the mandatory instructions and close supervision of the latter’s eldest son, Ronald Winston. During all those years, Mr. Fradkoff demonstrated unparalleled expertise in the acquisition and sale of magnificent gems.

In 1980’s, Mr. Fradkoff’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Serge Fradkoff SA Precious Stones, further cementing his status as a connoisseur and professional in the gemstone industry. Mr. Fradkoff’s financial acumen is evident in his substantial stake (33%) and advisory role in Unigestion, a private bank, in Geneva, where he was the de facto advisor to the Chairman and CEO. Alone and without any help whatsoever (investment banker or lawyer), he navigated major financial transactions, including the acquisition of 50% in Banca della Svizzera Italiana, at the time the fourth largest bank in Switzerland, for an amount of $390 million (the equivalent of $1 billion today).

In the book: “King of Diamonds: Harry Winston, the Definitive Biography of an American” written by his son, Ronald Winston, Mr. Winston without providing any factual evidence made a multitude of false statements about Mr. Fradkoff accusing him of wrongdoing. Mr. Ronald Winston’s long-time jealousy of Mr. Fradkoff and perhaps the sensationalism to sell books, defamed Mr. Fradkoff without basis, throughout the book. These statements have caused significant harm to Mr. Fradkoff’s finances, reputation, and character. These false statements have also resulted in substantial mental anguish to Mr. Fradkoff, who has been struggling to repair his reputation following the maliciously false accusations made by Mr. Winston.

Serge Fradkoff, a Franco-Russian, born in Tunisia, lit up the eyes and turned the heads of thousands of people in his capacity as a diamond dealer. At 16, Serge played poker with notable people and won the Tunisian pairs championship. Sent by his father to Geneva after his baccalaureate, in order to get to know his Swiss family before entering university in Paris, he finally settled there.

After obtaining his diploma, during a game of bridge, Serge met Jacques Timey , player at the Harry Winston house. On a bluff, he offered his services. This is how he entered the fascinating world of diamonds, about which he knew nothing, but in which he very quickly made a name. After a few months of training in Geneva, he joined the parent company in New York where he spent a year. Returning to the City of Calvin, he quickly took control of the firm’s operations worldwide, with the exception of North America. Serge Fradkoff naturally have the qualities required to make an excellent diamond dealer: presence of mind, intuition, instinct, empathy.

Mr. Fradkoff is well known in private circles among high-net-worth individuals for his work as an exquisite jeweler, champion bridge player, art collector, horse-racing enthusiast, finance executive, and film producer. His life, characterized by diverse interests and accomplishments, reflects a deep dedication to excellence, innovation, and meaningful influence in a range of industries.