Solomon Brothers Jewelers Acquires Washington, DC-Area Retailer Mervis Diamond Importers

Atlanta-based Solomon Brothers Jewelers has acquired Mervis Diamond Importers, an independent diamond retailer with three showrooms in the Washington, DC, area, the Moco Show reported. The company announced the deal Oct. 26 and did not disclose terms.

Mervis will keep its name, staff and showrooms in Tysons, VA, Rockville, MD, and downtown Washington. Co-founders Ronnie and Zed Mervis will remain active in the business. Zed will continue to lead diamond buying, and Ronnie will stay on as the company’s voice on Washington radio. Warranties, lifetime care and upgrade programs will continue.

Solomon Brothers, founded in Atlanta in 1982, plans to invest in diamond sourcing and inventory, e-commerce, marketing measurement and technology support. The deal is its first outside its home market and is intended as a template for acquiring other independent jewelers while preserving their local brands.

“Succession is the quiet crisis in our industry,” said Solomon Brothers President Jaron Solomon.

Brothers Zed and Ronnie Mervis began importing South African diamonds in the Washington area in 1981 before opening their first retail store in Rockville. The two companies now operate six showrooms combined.