Majors

Helene Fortunoff, a True Leader in the Industry, Dies at 88

MajorsNov 09, 2021

Helene Fortunoff, a True Leader in the Industry, Dies at 88

She got her start in the business in 1957, when she established Fortunoff’s fine jewelry division.

20211109_Helene Fortunoff.jpg
Helene Fortunoff, past president of Fortunoff Fine Jewelry and Silverware Inc. and a legend in the jewelry industry, died Monday of a respiratory illness not related to COVID-19. She was 88 years old.
Miami Beach, Fla.—Helene Fortunoff, a legendary retailer who blazed trails for both women and the industry at large, died Monday at her home in Miami Beach of a non-COVID-related respiratory illness.

She was 88.

Born in 1933 to Samuel and Tillie Finke in Paterson, New Jersey, Fortunoff graduated from New York University cum laude with a degree in business administration.

It was in a real estate class at NYU that she met her first husband, Alan Fortunoff, whose family owned and operated a housewares store in Brooklyn.

Helene joined the family business, establishing the fine jewelry division of Fortunoff’s in 1957.

As the business grew from a single store on Livonia Avenue to a network of stores across the New York metro area, Helene became respected as a leader in the merchandising and design of fine jewelry.

She hired, trained and developed a team of jewelry buyers who traveled the world together to “the source”—which eventually became the retailer’s slogan—to find new and unique products for their customers, making Fortunoff’s a nationally recognized leader in jewelry retail.

Along the way, Helene blazed trails for women in the fine jewelry world and set standards for the industry at large.

At a time when few women ran big jewelry companies and there was little, if any, conversation about gender and racial diversity, Fortunoff’s had both at all levels, daughter Esther Fortunoff said Monday.

The company also carried jewelry by women designers whenever possible and offered split shifts and flex time to women who had families to take care of, something Helene understood as a mother of six.

“Those things, really, I do credit her,” Esther said.

Helene was a founding member of the Women’s Jewelry Association and later became WJA president; the first woman member of the now-defunct U.S. Carat Club; and the first woman inducted into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame (class of 1990).

She was knighted in Italy for her work promoting Italian jewelry, served as chair of the GIA’s Board of Governors, received the American Gem Society’s Triple Zero Award, and in January 2006, was honored with the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Jewelry Information Center, which has since merged with Jewelers of America.

“She broke the glass ceiling in many, many ways,” Esther said. “She really promoted women in the industry.”

Helene also led an effort to establish standards for full and accurate disclosure of gemstone weights and enhancements, Esther said.

Fortunoff’s bought a metal tester for its stores, something few retailers had at the time, and started breaking out diamonds and gems and checking their weights.

“It’s something she started and the whole industry sort of had to follow,” Esther said.

20211109_Helene at GEM.jpg
Helene Fortunoff, right, with actress Lauren Bacall at the 2006 Gem Awards, where Helene received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Bacall, a longtime spokesperson for Fortunoff’s, introduced Helene at the gala.

At its peak, Fortunoff’s had stores in Westbury and White Plains, New York; a flagship location on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan; and stores in Paramus, Wayne and Woodbridge, New Jersey.

In 2005, the Fortunoff family sold a majority stake in the company to private investors, though family members bought back the company’s intellectual property in 2009 and have since relaunched the outdoor furniture and fine jewelry sectors of the business.

Helene retired when the company was sold, married her second husband, Robert Grossman, in 2006 (Alan Fortunoff died in 2000), and moved to Florida.

There, they assembled a world-class collection of 19th century British ceramics, many of which they donated to museums, and Helene enjoyed playing mahjong and canasta with a large circle of friends.

“She was truly my mentor,” longtime friend Phyllis Bergman said Monday. “She was amazing.

“She just set a wonderful example of how a woman could handle a family, run a business and do it all with grace and a wonderful personality.”

Helene is survived by her husband, Robert Grossman; five children, Esther, Andrea, Rhonda, Ruth, and David; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Alan Fortunoff; her brother, Leon Finke; and her son, Louis.

Services are scheduled to take place Wednesday, Nov. 10, in Long Island, New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies at Yale University, The North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, or the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Astrid & Miyu 2025 12-Day, 24-Day, Solid Gold Advent Calendars
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent Calendars

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Front of Marla Aaron porcelain Nymphenburg Lock
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

Feriel Zerouki, De Beers Chief Trade and Industry Officer
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

ja_fall_2024_by_headshot_stories_6824.jpg
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the Corner

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Fabergé Imperial Winter Egg
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

Weekly QuizOct 09, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Katkim Men’s Collection Shadow Pendant Necklace and Anerise Signet Band
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s Collection

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.

Gemfields Rough Rubies
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11M

The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

gia-edu main image.png
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Online education from GIA experts.

“Storied Diamond Desert Sands of Eternity” engagement ring and wedding band
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

Emily P. Wheeler Ombré Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ Collection

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

MRK x MFA Tsuba Charm Necklace Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New Charms

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.

Stock image of a gavel and law books
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s Murder

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.

Zoë Kravitz Wearing Jessica McCormack Tempest Sapphire Pendant and Tempest Diamond Necklace
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ Collection

The brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.

Lightning Ridge Rural Fire Brigade
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ Fundraiser

Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.

Stuller 2025 S.E.R.V.E. Star Awards winners
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025

Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.

All four models of Citizen’s new Rainell watch
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for Rain

Citizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.

Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster 1926
AuctionsOct 06, 2025
The ‘Rolex That Made Rolex’ Heads to Auction at Sotheby’s

The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.

Amit Pratihari GIA India
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing Director

Amit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.

DCWC 2025 Board of Directors
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West Coast

Members of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Wedding, Jacob & Co. Watch
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White Metals

Gomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.

HRD Antwerp CEO Paul De Wachter
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEO

Diamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.

Taylor Swift Kallati sapphire ring
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: Kallati’s Pink Sapphire Ring

Taylor Swift flaunts an Elizabeth Taylor-esque gemstone in promo for her new album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

Boucheron Quatre Sand Collection
CollectionsOct 02, 2025
Boucheron Debuts Cuffs Crafted With 3D-Printed Sand

Its “Quantre Sand” capsule was made using a 3D sand printing technique borrowed from the automotive and aeronautics industries.

Stock image of crime scene tape
CrimeOct 02, 2025
$1M in Jewelry Stolen in Northern California Smash and Grab

Four individuals have been charged in the “takeover-style” robbery of Heller Jewelers last month, and additional charges are expected.

Neil Lane and Boucheron bow tie brooch
MajorsOct 02, 2025
Neil Lane Jewelry Exhibition Coming to Toledo Museum of Art

“Radiance and Reverie” will showcase more than 150 jewels from Lane’s personal collection by Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and more.

Just Jules opal necklace
TrendsOct 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Colorful Show

The month’s birthstones, tourmaline and opal, complement the palette of autumn.

Peter Smith National Jeweler columnist
ColumnistsOct 01, 2025
Peter Smith: Why Vendor Success Starts With Self-Reflection

Smith shares the importance of looking at your company with openness and honesty to identify opportunities you may be missing.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy