Lawrence “Larry” LeVian, the longtime chairman of Le Vian Corp. and a revered philanthropist, passed away on January 23 at the age of 73 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.
As the eldest son of Abdulrahim LeVian, who established the U.S. branch of the family business in 1950, Larry took over as chairman after his father’s passing in 2000. Under his leadership, Le Vian became a powerhouse in the jewelry industry, renowned for its Red Carpet Revues in Las Vegas and its innovative promotion of Chocolate Diamonds.
Larry’s life took a profound turn after surviving a traumatic robbery, a moment that shaped his commitment to philanthropy. According to his nephew Jonathan, “The experience changed his life’s path, turning him into one of the most generous benefactors in the jewelry world. He led a life of resilience and gratitude.”
His commitment to giving back was woven into the very fabric of Le Vian Corp., where he mandated that 10% to 20% of the company’s pretax profits be donated to charity annually before dividends were distributed.
His younger brother, Eddie LeVian, CEO of Le Vian, paid tribute to Larry’s enduring influence: “He encouraged others through his compelling writings and mentored me from a young age with values of faith, resilience, hard work, integrity, and compassion. He introduced me to the beauty of natural color gems and diamonds by taking me on trips to mines and boutiques. He fought valiantly until his last breath, never once complaining about his illness.”
Larry LeVian is survived by his wife, Angela, four children, his siblings Eddie, Moossa, Liza, and Suzy—all of whom are involved in the family business—22 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
With his passing, the jewelry industry has lost not only a visionary leader but also a man whose generosity and influence extended far beyond the world of fine jewelry. How will Le Vian continue his legacy?