Following in his father's footsteps, Leo Schachter started in the diamond business in 1952. In 1980, he set up a partnership with his sons-in-law, Eric Austein and Elliot Tannenbaum, and in 1981, the company formed a partnership with the Namdar family of Milan, Italy and opened the Schachter & Namdar Polishing Works, Ltd. in Israel.

Today the company manufactures diamonds in New York, Bangkok, Tel Aviv, Botswana, China and South Africa.  Details for contacting them are below, or you may email now: diamonds@lsdny.com

Achieving sightholder status from De Beers, in London, Leo Schachter already had a global vision as early as 1966 when he took his family business on a course that would take him worldwide - from New York to Israel, Milan, Botswana, Antwerp, China, Thailand, and South Africa.

Schachter, today, is a triple DTC sightholder.

For the year 2000, export figures for Israel's Schachter-Namdar Polishing Works Ltd. were USD$ 475,000,000.00

In 1991 a factory was established, situated in Molepolole - "the gateway to the Kalahari" - and was officially opened in June of 1993 by the then President of Botswana, His Excellency, Sir Ketumile Masire.

In partnership with the Government of Botswana, long years of experience were brought to Molepolole to create ideal cut diamonds. Since opening, the staff has grown to its present day level of over 500 people. The workers, recruited locally in the village of Molepolole, are specifically trained in the craft of diamond manufacture.

Their particular site is www.source.bw

Their offices, in Ramat Gan Diamond Bourse's complex of buildings, are on the 14th floor of the Maccabi Building.

Schachter & Namdar splits its production into different categories for its different markets.

• The Tel Aviv factory, with around 300 workers, manufactures diamonds ranging from 20 points to 5.00 carats.
• The New York factory manufactures rounds and fancy cuts of 1.00 and up.
• The Bangkok plant, which employs approximately 250 workers polishing diamonds under 30 points. The diamonds polished in Bangkok are sent to Israel for sorting and sales.
• The factory in China was opened 2 years ago. The small rounds that are polished there are sent to Israel for sorting and sales.
• The factory in Botswana cuts and polishes ideal cut diamonds.

Much of the company's success is due to a strong emphasis on customer service.

Another secret of the firm's growth is the staff that has been put in place.

The development of a company by two families - both well established in the diamond and jewelry business - from two different consumer markets (Italy and the United States), seems an ideal recipe for success. "obviously, we brought with us our respective understandings of the clientele and the consumer in Italy and the United States. This has helped us to better serve their needs," said Tannenbaum.

The Leo, with its patented 66 facet cut, is recognized as a breakthrough in the technique and craft of diamond cutting.

The result? A fire, sparkle and brilliance that will simply take your breath away.

Schachter & Namdar Botswana maintains a jewelry division for high quality diamond jewelry using Ideal cut small diamonds set in designs of 18-karat gold. The range of pieces caters for all tastes, from handcrafted ethnic pieces incorporating Ndebele beads and giraffe hair to traditional eternity and engagement rings.

The ultimate fashion accessory, 10.00 carat diamond evening shoes. Making their debut at the Spring 2001 Halston Signature Collection Fashion Show in New York, the shoes featured a 5.00 carat diamond bracelet for each foot.

The Halston Diamond Collection is manufactured and distributed by Leo Schachter Diamonds LLC.