Whitehall Jewelers Holdings, Inc., said Monday that it and its operating subsidiary, Whitehall Jewelers, Inc., have filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The filings were made Monday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Whitehall said in a statement that it plans to continue to conduct business as usual while it develops a reorganization plan.

Zale Corp. named Yuval Braverman to its board of directors. He is currently the chairman and chief executive officer of J. & J. Zaidman, Inc. a diamond wholesaler.

Chicago—Whitehall Jewelers Holdings Inc. has announced that it and its operating subsidiary Whitehall Jewelers Inc. have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

New York—The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has cut ties with billionaire diamantaire Lev Leviev due to his suspected involvement in building Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to a letter sent from the organization to activist group Adalah-NY.

San Francisco—De Beers has made a second entrance into the Golden State. With a store already in Beverly Hills, Calif., the retail venture of the De Beers Group opened its seventh North American store in San Francisco last week.

Antwerp, Belgium—Diamond industry leaders will gather in Antwerp, Belgium, at the end of June and take stock of the results of the Kimberley Certification Process, which was established five years ago.

Dallas—Zale Corp. has named Yuval Braverman to its board of directors, effective June 19.

Newark, N.J.—New Jersey jewelers are scrambling to have their voices heard by state lawmakers after belatedly learning of pending legislation that would require retail jewelers to maintain detailed records and photos of all jewelry they buy from consumers.

New York—A bankruptcy judge has authorized U.S. marshals to take all necessary steps to seize the assets of the ex-owners of M. Fabrikant and Sons, including, if need be, busting into their apartments on Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue in Manhattan.