David Weisz & Sons began as a business in Satu Mare, Romania, which is very close to where the borders of Romania, Hungary, and Ukraine meet today. The business offered finished jewelry and diamonds. David was widely respected in the community as being an honest man who would always tell the true value of his jewels. Everyone in the community who needed an opinion regarding value knew that he was the person to ask.

The business was successful for two decades, until World War II. As the war grew in intensity, David realized that he was unlikely to be able to escape to safety. However, he knew a distant cousin, Martin Weisz, who was about to leave for New York. David Weisz gathered the diamonds from his shop, and gave them to Martin. He told Martin, “Please keep these diamonds safe for me and my family. If we make it out, you will have them for us. If none of us survive, they are yours to keep.”

In 1944, David, his wife and children were deported to the camps. David and every member of his family was killed, except for his son Herman.

By 1945 Herman was alone, and ...