From left: Melanie Goldfiner Goldberg, Tamara Rahaminov Goldfiner, and Nicol Goldfiner Barlev
For Tamara Rahaminov Goldfiner
and her daughters Nicol Goldfiner
Barlev and Melanie Goldfiner
Goldberg, making jewelry dreams a
reality is a family affair.
WORDS BY RAQUEL LANERI
IMAGES BY MCABE GREGG
Tamara Rahaminov Goldfiner grew up surrounded by gems. Her father started Rahaminov Diamonds in the 1940s with his brothers, and her mother came from a line of Italian jewelry manufacturers.
“I played with diamonds instead of sand when I was a child,” the jewelry designer recalls. “I always knew I would be in this business.” She has now passed this love on to her two daughters: Nicol Goldfiner Barlev (who helps bring Tamara’s dazzling visions to life) and Melanie Goldfiner Goldberg (who assists dad, Amir, on the business side).
Nicol and Melanie, what drew you to the family business?
Nicol: Jewelry has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I dressed myself up with my mother’s jewelry as a child, curiously made jewelry as a teenager, and then dove into the world of diamonds and stones as a young adult.
Melanie: Every piece of jewelry has a story. It’s that narrative that makes diamonds so captivating—they’re a symbol of love, power, and personal achievement.
How do you come up with your designs?
Tamara: I dream about jewelry—literally. I envision what I want to create, and it comes to life in my dreams. My ideas aren’t always easy to bring to reality, but I hand them over to Nicol and her team and say, “Figure it out.”
What inspires you?
Nicol: The unexpected beauty of everyday life. For instance, our Branch and Flower collections are based on beautiful elements I see in my yard. They feature white and fancy colored diamonds, as well as colored gemstones. We let our creativity flow freely, embracing the mystery of the design process. Whether it’s a ring that swirls with asymmetry or earrings that evoke the delicate beauty of nature, our work captures the joy and wonder that whimsy brings.
How do you pursue the extraordinary in your life and designs?
Tamara: We use only the best diamonds and craftsmanship, and nothing passes through our hands that we’re not proud to put our name on. We live and breathe this level of luxury, and our jewelry is a testament to that. Extraordinary is evident in every piece we create.
Raquel Laneri is a New York–based journalist and editor whose work has appeared in various national publications.
THE ACHIEVERS