The top diamondjewelrybrand in America, Harry Winston, had descended into chaos after its founder died in 1978 and sons Ronald and Bruce engaged in a nasty legal battle that crippled the business.
Since 2006, the company operated as two segments: a luxury retail jewelry and watch division under the iconic Harry Winston brand name and a diamond mining business.
De Beers has been selling its diamonds and diamondjewelry through indirect methods to the U.S. For example, through a separate entity with luxury retail conglomerate, LVMH, it sells diamondjewelry on the retail level in the U.S. through the De Beers Diamond Jewellers brand.