AuctionsSep 30, 2022
Red Diamond Earns $1.8M at AuctionThe final hammer price blew the pre-sale estimate out of the water.
IndependentsAug 23, 2022
Rhoda Denaburg Link, Matriarch of Levy’s Fine Jewelry, Dies at 86
She was an icon, both in the way she led and as the voice of “Miss Rhoda” in the store’s radio commercials.
Rhoda Denaburg Link, who helped grow Alabama retailer Levy’s Fine Jewelry into the well-known store it is today, died Aug. 19 after a brief illness. (Image from Levy’s Facebook page)
Birmingham, Alabama—Rhoda Denaburg Link, owner and matriarch of well-known Alabama retailer Levy’s Fine Jewelry, died Aug. 19 after a brief illness. She was 86.
It was her vision, along with her brother Charles, that took what started as a small pawn shop and grew it into one of the top jewelry stores in the U.S. today, Levy’s said in an Instagram post about her death.
According to Levy’s website, Joe Denaburg started the shop in 1919, acquiring one of the first pawn licenses in the state of Alabama.
He died in 1972, but his wife, Ethel, and son, Charles, continued to manage the store.
Rhoda, Joe and Ethel’s daughter, moved from Chicago to Birmingham in the 1980s to be more active with the store.
She married Marvin Link, a prominent jeweler from New York; he helped train staff and transition the business to a more jewelry-focused model.
It was her vision, along with her brother Charles, that took what started as a small pawn shop and grew it into one of the top jewelry stores in the U.S. today, Levy’s said in an Instagram post about her death.
According to Levy’s website, Joe Denaburg started the shop in 1919, acquiring one of the first pawn licenses in the state of Alabama.
He died in 1972, but his wife, Ethel, and son, Charles, continued to manage the store.
Rhoda, Joe and Ethel’s daughter, moved from Chicago to Birmingham in the 1980s to be more active with the store.
She married Marvin Link, a prominent jeweler from New York; he helped train staff and transition the business to a more jewelry-focused model.
Rhoda, or Rho Rho as she was known to her kids and grandkids, may have won many awards for her leadership, but she was known for staying humble amid the success, and emphasized the importance of hard work, education, and accountability.
“Most of all, she taught us the importance of family, and that it isn’t always blood that makes someone family,” Levy’s said.
She was a local icon, gaining fame as the voice of “Miss Rhoda” in the “Ask Rhoda” radio commercials.
“Most of all, she taught us the importance of family, and that it isn’t always blood that makes someone family,” Levy’s said.
She was a local icon, gaining fame as the voice of “Miss Rhoda” in the “Ask Rhoda” radio commercials.
She was also a lover of art and adventure, traveling the world with her husband so often they made it to all seven continents.
“She never hesitated to encourage us to embrace our passions and chase after our dreams, no matter how crazy they may appear to others,” the Instagram post said.
Denaburg Link is survived by her brother, Charles (Jan) Denaburg; children Nan Nadler, Keith and Natalie Nadler, Jimmy and Alisa Nadler, Tracy Diamond, Jared and Celia Nadler, and April and Brian Harrison; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Link; grandson, Brett Nadler; and sister, Iris Denaburg Rosemore.
Graveside services were held Monday, Aug. 22, at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, followed by shiva and visitation at her home in Mountain Brook.
The family is also receiving visitors today, Aug. 23, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Donations can be made in her name to the Stanley and Maxine Lapidus Special Projects Fund at Temple Beth El in Birmingham or to Jewelers for Children.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
EditorsSep 30, 2022
The Best of Betty White’s Jewelry Sold at AuctionMichelle Graff recaps the cats, fortune cookies, and charm bracelets that caught her eye while covering the late actress’ estate sale.
Policies & IssuesSep 30, 2022
Voting Is Open for the Fairmined 100 Challenge’s Best CollectionThe winners, picked by a group of judges and voted as the public’s favorite, will be announced in a webinar on Oct. 11.
Brought to you by
6 Steps to Start a Dynamic Company CultureLearn how to better serve your employees, customers and community by having a dynamic and supportive company culture.
CollectionsSep 30, 2022
Piece of the Week: Fewer Finer’s ‘Family Bracelet’The engravable piece is a perfect family heirloom.
Weekly QuizSep 29, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
GradingSep 30, 2022
GSI India Names Ramit Kapur Managing DirectorKapur has spent nearly two decades working in the gemological labs sector of the jewelry industry.
Supplier BulletinSep 29, 2022
How to Create an Engaging Experience and a Sparkling ReputationSponsored by Synchrony
Brought to you by
Committing to an Ethical Diamond BusinessWhile ethical mining is essential to a diamond business, they represent only a fraction of the responsibility bestowed on jewelers.
SourcingSep 29, 2022
Q&A: Constantin Wild Celebrates 175 Years in the Colored Stone Business The family business’ fourth-generation eponymous owner reflects on the milestone and the market today.
AuctionsSep 29, 2022
See the Top Lots in Christie’s Upcoming Rare Watch SaleAccording to Christie’s, the auction is its most important single-owner watch collection ever.
CollectionsSep 29, 2022
Trove Has a New Proposal: Ring BoxesThe jewelry box brand is expanding with both single and double ring boxes in red, mint green, and white.
SourcingSep 29, 2022
AGTA Names Jennifer Heebner Editor-in-Chief of its PublicationsThe association has also hired a new marketing manager and announced two staff transitions.
Policies & IssuesSep 29, 2022
JA Members Return to Capitol Hill to Voice Jewelers’ ConcernsThe topics up for discussion with lawmakers included inflation, rising interest rates, hiring challenges, and crime.
AuctionsSep 28, 2022
The 18-Carat ‘Fortune Pink’ Diamond Could Sell for $35M The pear-shaped fancy vivid pink diamond will lead the Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction on Nov. 8.
SurveysSep 28, 2022
Consumer Confidence Rises in SeptemberU.S. consumer confidence rose for the second consecutive month as gas prices fell.
MajorsSep 28, 2022
Artistry’s 2023 Catalog Is Out NowThe jewelry catalog features an updated layout and 160 pages of product.
MajorsSep 28, 2022
JFC’s 2022 ‘Hope for the Holidays’ Program Is an Adorable Menagerie There are three designs to choose from this year, all featuring animals drawn by kids who have had wishes granted through Make-A-Wish.
AuctionsSep 27, 2022
In Betty White’s Blockbuster Estate Sale, Jewelry Held Its Own Fine jewelry comprised three of the auction’s top 10 lots, though it could not top her director’s chair or scripts from “The Golden Girls.”
CrimeSep 27, 2022
3 Suspects in Beverly Hills Smash-and-Grab Robbery ArrestedA total of four suspects are now in custody with police still on the lookout for the remaining two.
ColumnistsSep 27, 2022
Creative Connecting: Fun Ideas for Holiday 2022 In-Store EventsFrom a “whodunnit” murder mystery to a permanent jewelry party, Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share a wealth of suggestions.
MajorsSep 27, 2022
Stuller Releases 2 Updated Catalogs Ahead of the Holiday Season “Mountings 2023-2024” and “Diamonds & Gemstones 2023-2024” offer a vast selection of options to create custom pieces.
Events & AwardsSep 27, 2022
ICA’s 2023 Congress Will Be Held in Dubai The event will be hosted by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre from Feb. 15-17.
CollectionsSep 26, 2022
Go ‘Inside the Dream’ of Bulgari Via a New Documentary on Amazon Prime It follows Creative Director Lucia Silvestri as she crafts the brand’s high jewelry collections.
Recorded WebinarsSep 26, 2022
Watch: What Jewelers Should Know About InsuranceFrom safeguarding showcases to appraisal liability, insurance experts Mark Devereaux and Andrew Chipman share insurance tips for jewelers.
TrendsSep 26, 2022
Vahan Collabs With Wolf on a Jewelry BoxIt’s the first time in 50 years the brand has made something other than jewelry.
Events & AwardsSep 26, 2022
Texas Jewelers Association Rolls Out New Format for Design CompetitionThe competition takes place in tandem with TJA’s annual convention, known as the Texas Jewelers Roundup.
CollectionsSep 23, 2022
Pandora Reimagines Keith Haring’s Art in New CollectionThe limited-run collection features figures from Haring’s iconic street art on charms, bracelets, rings, and more.
