Sarine Names Ex-GIA Exec to Top US Role

RAPAPORT… Sarine Technologies has hired industry veteran Matthew Tratner as head of its North America operations, tasking him with driving the company’s retail business.

Tratner has almost 20 years of experience in the jewelry industry, most recently as director of global business development at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), where he was responsible for the grading organization’s Diamond Origin traceability program. He was previously director of membership and sales at the Diamond Council of America (DCA) and at Jewelers of America (JA), and held the position of publisher at National Jeweler magazine.

He will serve as general manager and vice president of Sarine North America, working out of the Israel-based group’s North American headquarters in the International Gem Tower on New York’s 47th Street.

Sarine CEO David Block said Tratner was the “perfect fit to propel” the equipment provider’s retail-oriented technologies in the US market. These products include Sarine Diamond Journey, a traceability program, and eGrading, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based service enabling companies to assess and certify stones in-house.

While Sarine’s core business is selling rough-scanning and manufacturing equipment to the diamond-cutting sector, the company has branched further into retail in recent years.

“Matthew is joining at the perfect [time],” Block added. “The US market is going through a transition as it appreciates the crucial part technological and digital solutions play in today’s rapidly changing retail environment.”

Image: Matthew Tratner. (Sarine Technologies)