The Importance of What’s Real in a World of Illusions

Pictured above: A rare and beautiful pear shape fancy red diamond.

A banana duct-taped to a wall sold for $6 million. Cryptocurrencies skyrocket and collapse overnight. AI-generated images and lab-grown stones mimic the authentic. Trends fade fast. In a world where so much is fleeting, what truly holds value?

William Goldberg knew the answer. He built a legacy not on passing trends, but on something real… Diamonds. Authentic, rare, irreplaceable. More than their intrinsic beauty, he understood the emotional significance they carried. A diamond is not just a possession; it’s a tangible link between past, present, and future.

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Our founder, William Goldberg.

Today, the legacy of the company is carried on by his son Saul Goldberg, daughter Eve, son-in-law Barry Berg, and grandson Ben Goldberg. Each brings their own perspective, but all are united by a belief that diamonds are more than objects—they’re heirlooms, symbols, and storytellers.

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A precious heirloom that William Goldberg created for his wife, Lili Goldberg. A fancy colored diamond bracelet, set with diamonds he had collected over many years.

For Barry Berg, who has spent decades helping clients celebrate life’s most meaningful milestones, the diamond represents something deeply emotional:

“A diamond to me has always been a sign of true love. A natural diamond is more than a GEM, it’s a piece of the earth’s soul, much like the love that it symbolizes. This symbol of love can never be achieved in a lab!” — Barry Berg
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The timeless ASHOKA® Diamond Reese Ring.

Barry’s words speak to the power of authenticity. Not just in the stone itself, but in the sentiment it represents. And as the business moves into its third generation, Ben Goldberg carries that same philosophy forward with pride and conviction.

“What is REAL is RARE. Never have I been more proud to be a part of the natural diamond business than I am today. We seek long-term lasting relationships with our clients—it’s not about a one-hit wonder to make a profit. That’s what lab-grown diamonds are predicated on: making an easy buck.” — Ben Goldberg

Ben’s passion reflects the next chapter of the Goldberg story—one grounded in legacy, but not stuck in the past. For him, being part of the natural diamond business isn’t just about maintaining tradition; it’s about deepening trust and building something that lasts.

Diamonds have always been more than objects of desire; they are symbols of permanence. 

“The substance that possesses the greatest value, not only among the precious stones, but of all human possessions, is the diamond.” — Pliny the Elder, 70 CE
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Willy Lopez, master cutter at William Goldberg, holding a breathtaking cushion cut diamond.

Formed over billions of years by nature’s immense pressure, refined by the hands of artisans who recognize their potential, true diamonds endure. Those who understand real value have always sought the rarity of a natural diamond.

“In a world where art installations sell for millions and cryptocurrencies gain and lose billions overnight, it’s the real things—diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires—that hold their value. These stones have been treasured for generations. Their beauty isn’t artificial; it’s the product of time and nature. That’s what makes them priceless.” — Saul Goldberg

Saul’s words echo the philosophy passed down through generations of the Goldberg family. His father, William Goldberg, had an eye for the extraordinary. He pursued not just size or clarity, but individuality, the rare, irreplicable character of each diamond. The Queen of Holland, the Premier Rose, the Red Shield. Each masterpiece told a story through its unique facets and subtle imperfections. It wasn’t just about rarity; it was about meaning.

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The Premier Rose: a 137.02 carat D-internally flawless diamond. The largest pear-shaped D-flawless diamond ever graded by the GIA at the time.

Eve Goldberg recalls her father’s approach:

“It wasn’t about the piece of paper certifying a diamond’s quality. It was about looking at it with your eyes. Isn’t it beautiful? Doesn’t it move you?” - Eve Goldberg

That is the essence of something real; it moves you. It withstands the test of time. It does not lose value because of market fluctuations or fads. It transcends hype and speculation. It exists to be treasured, worn, admired, and ultimately, passed down.

As technology advances, authenticity becomes more valuable than ever. A diamond is not just a reflection of wealth; it is a symbol of something deeper; a belief in quality, in history, in permanence.

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Bill Goldberg with a display of magnificent fancy shape diamonds and his signature pinky ring. Modern Jeweler, 1990. Photo by Peter Johnson. Courtesy of De Beers Consolidated Mines.

So, amid fleeting trends, embrace the eternal. Seek diamonds not just for their brilliance, but for their meaning. Because what is real will always be rare. And what is rare will always be treasured.