CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
IndependentsJul 07, 2016
Longtime Retailer Harold Tivol Dies at 92
The jeweler, who served for many years as the president of Kansas City-based Tivol Jewelers and is credited with building its international reputation, died at home Wednesday.
Harold Tivol, chairman emeritus of Tivol Jewelers, died Wednesday at his home.
Kansas City, Mo.--Harold Tivol, credited with building Kansas City-based Tivol Jeweler’s international reputation, died at home Wednesday morning. He was 92 years old.
Tivol was born in Kansas City, Mo. in 1923, and attended Southwest High School and the University of Illinois.
His father, Charles, started the family business in Kansas City in 1910. After three years with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Tivol studied at the Gemological Institute of America and joined the business in 1946.
Five years later, it was Harold who encouraged his father to relocate the store to the city’s Country Club Plaza, a location that would help build the retailer’s business greatly and where the flagship remains today.
He also was responsible for opening the company’s second store inside the Hawthorne Plaza shopping center in Overland Park, Kan. decades later.
Tivol was married to Ruth Krigel Tivol for 38 years, and the two traveled the world together and worked together, scouring the globe to find the best work from both established and up-and-coming designers.
“Harold Tivol set the standard of success both professionally and personally,” jewelry designer Penny Preville was quoted as saying in a company release. “He paved the way for designer fine jewelry by being one of the first to welcome collections like mine into his stores.
“He also had a way of making each and every person feel special; his smile could light up a room. I feel honored to have known him, worked with him and to have called him my friend. He will be missed. He was the rarest of gems. May he rest in peace.”
In 1986, he was named to National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame. Two years later, Modern Jeweler honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2002 the American Gem Society recognized him with a Triple Zero award.
He served as president of Tivol Jewelers for the majority of his professional career, eventually naming his daughter, Cathy, his successor in the mid-2000s as he maintained an advisory role as chairman emeritus.
He also was very active in his community, serving as president of the Country Club Plaza Association for more than a decade as well as holding the role of president of Oakwood Country Club.
In 2002, he and his wife were honored with the Alfred Benjamin Friend of the Family Award from Jewish Family Services.
Tivol was born in Kansas City, Mo. in 1923, and attended Southwest High School and the University of Illinois.
His father, Charles, started the family business in Kansas City in 1910. After three years with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Tivol studied at the Gemological Institute of America and joined the business in 1946.
Five years later, it was Harold who encouraged his father to relocate the store to the city’s Country Club Plaza, a location that would help build the retailer’s business greatly and where the flagship remains today.
He also was responsible for opening the company’s second store inside the Hawthorne Plaza shopping center in Overland Park, Kan. decades later.
Tivol was married to Ruth Krigel Tivol for 38 years, and the two traveled the world together and worked together, scouring the globe to find the best work from both established and up-and-coming designers.
“Harold Tivol set the standard of success both professionally and personally,” jewelry designer Penny Preville was quoted as saying in a company release. “He paved the way for designer fine jewelry by being one of the first to welcome collections like mine into his stores.
“He also had a way of making each and every person feel special; his smile could light up a room. I feel honored to have known him, worked with him and to have called him my friend. He will be missed. He was the rarest of gems. May he rest in peace.”
In 1986, he was named to National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame. Two years later, Modern Jeweler honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2002 the American Gem Society recognized him with a Triple Zero award.
He served as president of Tivol Jewelers for the majority of his professional career, eventually naming his daughter, Cathy, his successor in the mid-2000s as he maintained an advisory role as chairman emeritus.
He also was very active in his community, serving as president of the Country Club Plaza Association for more than a decade as well as holding the role of president of Oakwood Country Club.
In 2002, he and his wife were honored with the Alfred Benjamin Friend of the Family Award from Jewish Family Services.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Tivol was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Brooke Tivol McGrath, who died of a rare blood infection in 2011 and in whose honor the WJA-Carelle grant was established.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his children and their spouses; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. today (Thursday, July 7) at Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making contributions to the Brooke Tivol McGrath Legacy Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation, the Jewish Federation or another charity of choice.
Memories also may be shared on an online memorial page on Louis Memorial Chapel’s website.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingMay 13, 2026
Smithsonian Acquires ‘Winston Red’ Diamond PaintingReena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.
TrendsMay 13, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
ColumnistsMay 12, 2026
It’s Official: We’re Getting ‘Brain Rot’ From Watching Short-Form Videos Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.
Weekly QuizMay 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMay 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Debuts Antique Coin-Inspired Medallions for SummerThe 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2026
The Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award Is BackThe partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
IndependentsMay 11, 2026
Kansas Jeweler Closing After 70 YearsThe owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Former Macy’s CEO Joins Signet Jewelers BoardJeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.
TrendsMay 11, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Lucky May May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.
TechnologyMay 11, 2026
Clientbook’s New Tool Helps Jewelers Plan In-Store EventsThe new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.
Lab-GrownMay 08, 2026
NDC Publicly Criticizes Pandora Over ‘Misleading’ Natural Diamond ClaimsNDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
SourcingMay 08, 2026
Ronnie VanderLinden Takes Over as WDC President The diamantaire and industry leader succeeds Feriel Zerouki and said he will focus on being a “champion” for natural diamonds.
TrendsMay 08, 2026
Rihanna Chooses ‘Desert Diamonds’ for 2026 Met GalaShe wore our Piece of the Week, Glenn Spiro’s “Old Moghul Golconda” earrings, featuring fancy brown-yellow diamonds totaling 51.90 carats.
Events & AwardsMay 08, 2026
JA Announces 2026 CASE Award WinnersTwo pieces were named “Best in Show,” one from the retail category and one from the supplier category.
FinancialsMay 07, 2026
Brilliant Earth Appeals to Higher-Income Shoppers in Q1The jewelry retailer noted resilience among its higher-end customers while demand softened for its lower-priced offerings.
AuctionsMay 07, 2026
‘Spectacular’ Kashmir Sapphire Headlines Heritage Spring Jewelry SaleLed by the 6.59-carat sapphire, the sale garnered $9.7 million, a record total for a Heritage jewelry auction.
MajorsMay 07, 2026
Gannon & Scott Names New Regional Account ExecutiveIn his new role, sales specialist Billy Welshoff will focus on the eastern United States.
WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOJosé Gaztelu has been promoted to the role, which has been vacant since last year.
Events & AwardsMay 07, 2026
JA Accepting Applications for 2026 Scholarship ProgramIt has also opened the application period for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship through June 30.
SourcingMay 06, 2026
Canada’s Oldest Diamond Mine Faces Uncertain FutureThe owner of the Ekati mine, which opened in 1998, has filed for insolvency protection amid the significant decline in diamond prices.
FinancialsMay 06, 2026
Pandora to Add Carbon Footprint Info to Lab-Grown DiamondsThe company announced the change alongside its Q1 results, which showed that the jewelry brand’s year is off to a shaky start.
MajorsMay 06, 2026
Saks Global Begins Layoffs, Reorganization Plans Closer to ApprovalThe retailer will cut 16 percent of its corporate workforce as part of its plan to exit bankruptcy.
AuctionsMay 06, 2026
Steve McQueen’s Heuer Monaco Watch Heads to Sotheby'sOf the many examples used in the filming of “Le Mans,” this one is believed to have spent the most time on Steve McQueen’s wrist.
EditorsMay 05, 2026
This Ohio Designer’s Jewelry Made It to the Met GalaMegan Piccione dressed Lauren Wasser in layers of diamond jewelry, making her stand out in a crowd that included celebrities like Beyoncé.
SourcingMay 05, 2026
Doug Hucker Returns to His RootsFollowing decades of association leadership, the “semi-retired” colored gemstone expert is turning his focus to gemstone education.
