Festive Opening For Tzoffey's 1818 New Rough Center

Black glass walls and huge screens behind them screening videos is part of a new Center that will certainly leave a strong impression on visitors entering the Diamond Tower.

The rough center owned by Tzoffey's 1818 owner Avner Tzofiov was opened last Thursday in a festive ceremony in the entrance to the Diamond Tower. Among the guests were Israel Diamond Exchange President Shmuel Schnitzer, Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association President Kobi Korn, IDE General Manager Moti Besser and members of the bourse's management and others.

Tzoffey's seemed to have spared no details prior to the event, with a large range of refreshments. But that was just the appetizer for the unveiling of the new Center display showing a new standard of rough goods.

Black glass walls and huge screens behind them screening videos is part of a new Center that will certainly leave a strong impression on visitors entering the Diamond Tower.

Behind one of the walls stood inside a small exhibition space on a rotating platform of rough stones weighing 100 carats. In the complex space, visitors are treated to a carefully designed, luxurious meeting room on the ground floor and sophisticated second floor viewing room. The success of this unique style was achieved with the help of the architect of the project, Limor Schori, who created a design which is aesthetic and refined yet modest and not ostentatious.

IDE President Schnitzer took part in the affixing of the mezuzah and congratulated Tzofiov, saying: "I take my hat off to the beauty, aesthetics and vision of the new rough center. The rough that will be sold here will definitely bring added value to the bourse. I don't know any exchange around the world operating such a rough center. I wish you much success."

Meanwhile, Kobi Korn said: "This center is beautiful. Congratulations on the idea, your daring and innovation. I believe that exactly at this challenging period in the industry we need to initiate such things. This center adds much beauty and charm and it is moving to see the new entrance."

Avner Tzofiov was, as usual, all smiles as he greeted the audience, saying: "I know that most of us are on vacation and I thank you for coming to this event at this time. We decided to open the center today so we can be on schedule for the summer edition of the international diamond week from August 30 to September 4. The space on which the new center was built, stood empty for years and now we will hold tenders of goods from Africa. Rather than going there and wasting precious resources, we will bring the raw materials here.