Moneca Kaufmann is a Swiss jeweler’s daughter.  The youngest child of Emil Pius Kaufmann, founder of Kaufmann de Suisse jewelers in Montreal, Canada, heredity bestowed her with the gift of creativity with an eye for opulent jewelry design. Since 1954, Kaufmann de Suisse is a five time winner of the coveted Diamond International Award for excellence in jewelry design, so it would seem an obvious choice to follow in her father’s footsteps.

Yet her individuality and left-brain aptitude drove her in another direction.  Schooled in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, with an MBA and a background in wealth/financial management, Moneca took a position as a financial analyst and portfolio manager at Credit Suisse in Zurich, prior to joining her family business in 2001.  Further studies in gemology lead to her GIA gemologist designation, which rounded out an already impressive resume and gave her the technical skills to jump in and manage the family business, first on Crescent Street in Montreal and now on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida.

With an enviable Worth Avenue address, an on-site workshop, and a master jeweler at hand, Kaufmann de Suisse is small but mighty, able to provide world-class quality along with family business nimbleness that allows for attractive pricing that larger corporate jewelry houses cannot offer.  Bringing her analytical investor’s perspective to the business, Moneca’s high profile clients rely upon her market knowledge and negotiating skills to acquire world-class gems.  She loves the art of the deal, but she also loves to switch gears to the design phase of the piece – that is what brings a sparkle to her eyes.

A true dichotomy, Moneca is professionally unflappable, yet deeply passionate and sincere.  She imbues her father’s values of hard work, old-world European master craftsmanship into her jewelry while bringing her romantic and artistic vision to life.  Her father’s acclaimed Flowing Lines design epitomizes the bold presence and delicate curves of masterfully created jewelry that bring an immutable elegance to every woman.


A serious business woman, Moneca is equally, and deeply, committed to her family, her clients and to supporting charitable organizations that resonate with her.  An avid supporter of the Arts and a lifelong animal lover, Moneca collaborates with select charities on auctions, galas and in-store cocktail parties, offering a Palm Beach mixture of philanthropy and indulgence.

After the party is over however, leading a family business into the next generation is no small endeavor.  Luckily, challenges fuel Moneca’s determination and focus.
In addition to her own unique exceptional-quality jewels, Moneca wanted to offer Palm Beach clients an exclusive and luxurious brand of timepieces.  Attending Baselworld  in Zurich, an intriguing and complex handmade watch line caught her attention and after negotiations to bring the Christiaan van der Klaauw Astronomical watch brand to Palm Beach, they are now available exclusively at Kaufmann de Suisse.

Ying and yang, analytical and creative, professional and passionate, these constructs are not mutually exclusive, and in fact, they complement each other and create a luscious depth of character.

When you stop by 210 Worth Avenue, remember that you are a purchase away from becoming a forever friend.  Oh, and don’t worry, if you speak French, German, Swiss-German, or Spanish, you will still feel at home in the showroom, as Moneca also speaks those languages.