A new editor-in-chief at Rapaport
As Sonia Esther Soltani steps down from the role after seven years with the diamond magazine, I carry her legacy onwards.
By Rachael Taylor
This week, I can share that I have taken on a temporary role at Rapaport magazine as editor-in-chief. I will be replacing Sonia Esther Soltani, who has held the role for seven years and is now moving on to new projects as an independent editor and consultant.
This is not my first time in the Rapaport hot seat. I have been a contributing writer to Rapaport since 2017, and while Sonia was on maternity leave in 2022 and 2023, I covered her role.
I look forward to working once again with the brilliant team she has built there, and to crafting and commissioning many more stories that speak to the interests of the US jewellery market and the global diamond industry.
Former Rapaport editor in chief Sonia Esther Soltani, wearing a Laura Lombardi necklace.
Setting the agenda
My responsibilities at Rapaport will extend to the print magazine, which is currently being published bi-monthly. The first issue that I will work on will be the September-October issue, due out in early October.
The agenda will be to deliver our readers in-depth analysis on the diamond and jewellery markets, as well as trend-led stories. I will continue to work with some of our industry’s best writers to curate stories that matter.
I am glad to share that Sonia will still be working with Rapaport. She will continue to run the magazine’s popular Instagram account, and will also work across digital publishing projects, while launching her freelance career.
Join the conversation about what stories Rapaport should cover over on Instagram.
Coming full circle
As Sonia shares in her upcoming final editor’s letter in the July-August issue, this transition marks a wonderful full-circle moment for us.
“In August 2017, we featured a spectacular De Beers high jewellery ring on the magazine cover,” writes Sonia. “I had seen renowned journalist Rachael Taylor wear it during Paris Couture week on Instagram, and I felt it was the ideal illustration for the first issue we were producing with an entirely new team.
“Now we have come full circle. This magazine is my last one as editor in chief, and Rachael takes the helm of the publication next month.”
Sonia’s first Rapaport cover, and the Instagram image Rachael posted of the De Beers diamond ring.
Top image: Cover of the Rapaport June-July 2023 issue
