Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
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
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
