Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
IndependentsJan 31, 2025
Harvey Rovinsky, Longtime Owner of Bernie Robbins Jewelers, Dies at 77
Rovinsky is remembered as a great mentor who made the employees of his stores feel like family.
Harvey Rovinsky with his wife of 50-plus years, Maddy Rovinsky, in a picture submitted to National Jeweler when they were inducted into the Retailer Hall of Fame in 2022. Rovinsky died suddenly on Tuesday at age 77.
Mays Landing, N.J.—Former Bernie Robbins Jewelers owner and President Harvey Rovinsky, a jewelry industry leader who also was a husband, father, uncle, and “incredible” friend, died Tuesday following a cardiac event.
He was 77.
Born March 8, 1947, the Philadelphia native started working in his father’s watchmaking business when he was a child.
In 1966, Rovinsky was hired by a man named Bernie Rosenberg (better known as Bernie Robbins) who owned an appliance store in downtown Philadelphia that sold a little bit of jewelry.
Rosenberg was looking to change his business and brought a then 19-year-old Rovinsky on board to help with the transition.
A few years later, Rovinsky became family when he married Rosenberg’s daughter, Madalyn.
Over time, Harvey and Maddy Rovinsky turned what was once an appliance store that sold Timex watches into a luxury jeweler that carried brands like Rolex, Cartier, and David Yurman, and had as many as nine stores across New Jersey and Pennsylvania at one point.
Longtime store employee Steve Jaffe said Harvey could be tough but always was fair.
He said Harvey looked for the best in everyone, and he and Maddy made the employees of Bernie Robbins Jewelry feel like family.
“They don’t make people like this anymore,” Jaffe said.
In 2022, Harvey and Maddy were inducted into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame in the Multi-Store Independent category. At the time, there were four Bernie Robbins Jewelers stores.
They retired in 2024 and gave the business, debt-free, to five longtime employees.
Today, Bernie Robbins Jewelers has two locations, one in Somers Point, New Jersey, and the other in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Jaffe is one of the five employees who is now a co-owner of the business.
Speaking behalf of all five partners, he said, “There is a not a finer mentor, teacher, businessperson, friend and, just simply, great person than Harvey Rovinsky. He will be sorely missed.”
Outside of work, Harvey and Maddy supported Chabad at the Shore, the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University, Friends of the Israeli Defense Force, The Albert Einstein Society at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
He served on the executive board of the Holocaust Resource Center.
Harvey is survived by his wife of 56 years, Madalyn; daughter Julia Rovinsky Rosenzweig (Adam Rosenzweig); granddaughters Sophia and Emma; sister-in-law Susan Stupine; and nieces and nephews Erika (Seth Yablonovitz), Jeffrey Stupine (Farah), Bailey and Jay Yablonovitz, and Lilly Stupine.
Services are scheduled to take place 2 p.m. Sunday at Joseph Levine & Sons Memorial Chapel, 4737 E. Street Road, Trevose, Pennsylvania.
For those unable to attend in person, the services will be livestreamed via the J.S. Goldstein Funeral Home website.
Burial will be private.
Contributions in Harvey’s memory may be made to Chabad at the Shore, the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University, the Friends of the Israeli Defense Force, or to the Albert Einstein Society at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital.
He was 77.
Born March 8, 1947, the Philadelphia native started working in his father’s watchmaking business when he was a child.
In 1966, Rovinsky was hired by a man named Bernie Rosenberg (better known as Bernie Robbins) who owned an appliance store in downtown Philadelphia that sold a little bit of jewelry.
Rosenberg was looking to change his business and brought a then 19-year-old Rovinsky on board to help with the transition.
A few years later, Rovinsky became family when he married Rosenberg’s daughter, Madalyn.
Over time, Harvey and Maddy Rovinsky turned what was once an appliance store that sold Timex watches into a luxury jeweler that carried brands like Rolex, Cartier, and David Yurman, and had as many as nine stores across New Jersey and Pennsylvania at one point.
Longtime store employee Steve Jaffe said Harvey could be tough but always was fair.
He said Harvey looked for the best in everyone, and he and Maddy made the employees of Bernie Robbins Jewelry feel like family.
“They don’t make people like this anymore,” Jaffe said.
In 2022, Harvey and Maddy were inducted into National Jeweler’s Retailer Hall of Fame in the Multi-Store Independent category. At the time, there were four Bernie Robbins Jewelers stores.
They retired in 2024 and gave the business, debt-free, to five longtime employees.
Today, Bernie Robbins Jewelers has two locations, one in Somers Point, New Jersey, and the other in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Jaffe is one of the five employees who is now a co-owner of the business.
Speaking behalf of all five partners, he said, “There is a not a finer mentor, teacher, businessperson, friend and, just simply, great person than Harvey Rovinsky. He will be sorely missed.”
Outside of work, Harvey and Maddy supported Chabad at the Shore, the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University, Friends of the Israeli Defense Force, The Albert Einstein Society at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital, and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
He served on the executive board of the Holocaust Resource Center.
Harvey is survived by his wife of 56 years, Madalyn; daughter Julia Rovinsky Rosenzweig (Adam Rosenzweig); granddaughters Sophia and Emma; sister-in-law Susan Stupine; and nieces and nephews Erika (Seth Yablonovitz), Jeffrey Stupine (Farah), Bailey and Jay Yablonovitz, and Lilly Stupine.
Services are scheduled to take place 2 p.m. Sunday at Joseph Levine & Sons Memorial Chapel, 4737 E. Street Road, Trevose, Pennsylvania.
For those unable to attend in person, the services will be livestreamed via the J.S. Goldstein Funeral Home website.
Burial will be private.
Contributions in Harvey’s memory may be made to Chabad at the Shore, the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University, the Friends of the Israeli Defense Force, or to the Albert Einstein Society at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ PendantThe Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day CampaignThe “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired CollectionInterior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.
Weekly QuizApr 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs ImpactDuring a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning CenterThe free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from MembersThe feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.
TechnologyApr 17, 2025
Technology Therapy Group Expands AI Training for Jewelry RetailersThe online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.
CollectionsApr 16, 2025
Foundrae’s First Commitment Jewelry Collection Unites Through LoveThe “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
IndependentsApr 16, 2025
Indiana Jeweler to Host Black Jewelry Designer Pop-UpRobert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.
MajorsApr 16, 2025
WJA Announces Board Members, New Chicago Chapter PresidentThe announcements follow a tumultuous start to 2025 for WJA, which saw a wave of resignations following controversial statements about DEI.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Tariffs: What We Know Right Now Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff answers questions about how the new taxes levied on countries like India and China will impact the industry.
EditorsApr 15, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Making Deals, Marketing DiamondsKenewendo, Botswana’s minster of minerals and energy, discusses closing the deal with De Beers and the work that was missed along the way.
AuctionsApr 15, 2025
23-Carat ‘Golconda Blue’ Heads to AuctionThe historic fancy vivid blue diamond set to headline Christie’s Geneva sale next month could sell for up to $50 million.
FinancialsApr 15, 2025
LVMH’s Q1 Sales Slip 2 PercentLVMH CFO Cécile Cabanis also discussed the effects of tariffs so far.
CrimeApr 15, 2025
Jon Hamm Plays a Jewel Thief on Apple TV+The “Mad Men” and “The Morning Show” star steals jewelry, art, and handbags from his wealthy neighbors in “Your Friends & Neighbors.”
SourcingApr 15, 2025
Diamond Club West Coast Names 2025 BoardThe organization has reelected Kalpesh Jhaveri as president.
FinancialsApr 14, 2025
Movado to Restate Years of Financials Due to ‘Misconduct’ in Dubai An investigation found that the former managing director of Movado’s Dubai branch overstated and prematurely recorded sales.
CollectionsApr 14, 2025
Sauer Embraces Emptiness Through ‘Ma’ CollectionThe collection pays tribute to the Japanese philosophy of Ma, studying balance, stillness, and the interplay between presence and absence.
IndependentsApr 14, 2025
Illinois Jeweler Closing After 45 YearsMari Lou’s Fine Jewelry in Orland Park, a suburb of Chicago, is closing its doors.
GradingApr 14, 2025
GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick InGIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.
AuctionsApr 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Replica of Princess Grace’s Wedding EarringsThese earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, featuring the same design as a pair worn by Princess Grace, are up for auction at Woolley & Wallis.
Recorded WebinarsApr 11, 2025
Watch: Top Tips for Saving Time With AITwo experts share how artificial intelligence tools can help retailers run a more efficient business.
SourcingApr 11, 2025
Mikimoto Names New President, CEO for U.S. DivisionKentaro Nishimura, who has been with the pearl company since 1997, has been promoted to president and CEO of Mikimoto America.
WatchesApr 11, 2025
Bulova Documentary Now on Amazon Prime“America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova” explores the storied history of the American watchmaker.
