戈德堡家族

Few people embody quiet strength, unwavering devotion, and effortless elegance quite like Lili Goldberg. As mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and creative muse, she has shaped a family whose name is synonymous with beauty and integrity.

This Mother’s Day we honor Lili, not only as the Goldberg matriarch, but as the living soul of the brand.

A Life of Grace, Resilience, and Love

Born in Brooklyn at the height of the Great Depression, Lili Goldberg’s story is one of perseverance and passion. The daughter of Russian immigrants, Lili grew up speaking Yiddish in a bustling household of eight siblings. Life may have been modest, but it was rich with values that shaped her extraordinary journey: integrity, kindness, and an unshakeable work ethic.

It was at a dance that she met her lifelong partner, William “Mambo Willie” Goldberg, whose charisma and energy matched her steady elegance. Their marriage in 1955 marked the beginning of a partnership that would span decades, both in life and in business.

While Bill’s vision transformed the diamond world, Lili was the quiet force that kept everything and everyone grounded. As the company comptroller, she balanced the books with precision and upheld the family’s famously high standards.

As Barry Berg remembers with a smile, Lili made sure no detail was overlooked, especially when it came to receipts. “One of her pet peeves were the Mobile gas receipts,” he said. “She would personally come into our offices and ask us for them. If we didn’t have them, she gave us a stern warning.” Her mantra was simple: pay with cash, be responsible, and respect the details. It was a small lesson, but one that left a lasting mark on the way the family conducted business and life.

Through it all, she raised three children, Saul, Deborah, and Eve, with the same devotion and care. Always, she led by example, teaching the family to respect others, to honor commitments, and to value hard work and honesty.

“She is the heart of our family,” Eve Goldberg reflects. “Her love, her strength, her values, they inspire everything we do.”

The Muse Behind the Masterpieces

Lili’s influence at William Goldberg extends far beyond business. She inspired not just the work ethic, but the very artistry that defines the brand. Her personal jewelry collection mirrors her refined, effortless style. Among her treasures are a D Internally Flawless ASHOKA_® Jamie Ring, a delicate Fancy Color Diamond Line Bracelet crafted from stones collected by Bill over many years, and the now-iconic Lili Chain, a design inspired by her timeless spirit.

Perhaps the greatest tribute to her enduring elegance is the Blue Lili, a breathtaking 30-carat vivid blue diamond that Bill named in her honor. For a man who spent his life in pursuit of the extraordinary, only something truly spectacular could capture what Lili meant to him.

As Saul Goldberg reflects, his mother’s style and influence reached far beyond the family.

“Lili has always had a beautiful eye for jewelry and for life,” he says. “Jewelers around the world, from JAR to Hemmerle, admired her taste and found inspiration in her. Even though she did not wear extravagant pieces, even though my father wanted her to, her collection of fancy color diamonds is unsurpassed.”

A Legacy That Shines Through Generations

Today, Lili’s spirit continues to fill the halls of the William Goldberg atelier. She remains a steady presence, offering wisdom, laughter, and quiet encouragement to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her values of kindness and authenticity are woven into the very fabric of the family business.

Ben Goldberg treasures this daily connection reflecting, “Very few grandsons can say they get to work every day with their grandma, but that has been my reality for the past fifteen years. I love sitting with my Bubbie, talking with her, and hearing stories about traveling and working with my grandfather. Her eyes light up whenever I bring her a beautiful fancy color stone or a new piece of jewelry. She is truly one of a kind, a rare gem.”

Her legacy lives not only in the breathtaking diamonds and extraordinary jewelry the family creates, but in every relationship built with care and every standard of excellence upheld with integrity. It shines in the beauty of the ASHOKA_® diamond, in the joyful hues of fancy color designs, and in the simple elegance of the beloved Lili Chain.

A Mother’s Day Tribute

This Mother’s Day, we honor Lili Goldberg, the woman whose wisdom and devotion continues to shape a family and a brand that inspires generations.

Her life reminds us that true beauty is not found only in what we create, but in the love, the spirit, and the legacy we leave behind.

Happy Mother’s Day, Lili.

Click here to watch "Lili's Dance Through Life."