Kaiser “Caesar” Abi Habib passed away peacefully at home on August 24th. The first on the dance floor, the one who made friends wherever he went, Caesar loved life and loved meeting people and exploring the world. Born in Roumieh, Lebanon, he spent an idyllic childhood surrounded by extended family. He spoke fondly of tending orchards with his grandmother, picking fruit from neighbor’s trees, and escapades with his sister, two brothers, and cousins. He took the extended course of study for university, finally graduating from St. Cloud State in Minnesota. A cousin who lived in Brazil brought him into the gemstone business and eventually Caesar went on his own, opening Kaiser Gems in Los Angeles in 1978. His brother Antoine joined him in the business, and another brother, Toufic, opened an office in Beirut. Caesar enjoyed traveling the US and to Brazil and Thailand, buying and selling stones. He opened a cutting factory in Bangkok in 1982 and began serving the wholesale trade globally with high-quality, colored gemstones.
A long-time member of both AGTA and ICA, Caesar retired from the business in 2018, spending more time with family, traveling, and puttering in his garden. He is survived by his life partner, Holly; two daughters, Giselle and Noelle; brothers Antoine and Toufic; and numerous family members and friends.