MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersIndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge Jeweler
The retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge, the fifth-generation leader of the family-run chain, is exiting the company as it moves in a new direction.
Seattle—Ben Bridge Jeweler CEO Lisa Bridge is stepping down from her position as the retailer moves in a new direction.
The Seattle-based jewelry store chain, which was sold to Berkshire Hathaway 25 years ago, will now be part of a newly created united Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group alongside Helzberg, also owned by the Buffet conglomerate.
Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton will lead both Helzberg and the new jewelry group as Group CEO, according to a Helzberg spokesperson.
During the transition, Lynnette Frank will lead all Ben Bridge operations as chief financial officer and interim brand president.
Notably, Helzberg President Julie Yoakum recently joined Signet Jewelers as the new president of Kay Jewelers and Peoples Jewellers, its Canadian jewelry store chain.
Ben Bridge and Helzberg will maintain their distinct identities.
“What is new is the opportunity for each organization to benefit from the shared knowledge and experience gained from more than two centuries combined,” said Helzberg.
“Our priority, as always, is to ensure both brands continue delivering the exceptional quality and care on which our respective customers have relied for generations.”
Bridge announced her departure in an emailed letter shared with National Jeweler and later via a LinkedIn post.
“For five generations, our family has built and created, invested and dreamed, and has been part of the lives of our associates and customers,” she said.
“There is now a different direction for the company, and it is time for me to step away.”
Related stories will be right here …
The Seattle-based jewelry store chain, which was sold to Berkshire Hathaway 25 years ago, will now be part of a newly created united Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group alongside Helzberg, also owned by the Buffet conglomerate.
Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton will lead both Helzberg and the new jewelry group as Group CEO, according to a Helzberg spokesperson.
During the transition, Lynnette Frank will lead all Ben Bridge operations as chief financial officer and interim brand president.
Notably, Helzberg President Julie Yoakum recently joined Signet Jewelers as the new president of Kay Jewelers and Peoples Jewellers, its Canadian jewelry store chain.
Ben Bridge and Helzberg will maintain their distinct identities.
“What is new is the opportunity for each organization to benefit from the shared knowledge and experience gained from more than two centuries combined,” said Helzberg.
“Our priority, as always, is to ensure both brands continue delivering the exceptional quality and care on which our respective customers have relied for generations.”
Bridge announced her departure in an emailed letter shared with National Jeweler and later via a LinkedIn post.
“For five generations, our family has built and created, invested and dreamed, and has been part of the lives of our associates and customers,” she said.
“There is now a different direction for the company, and it is time for me to step away.”
The 113-year-old business was “omnipresent” in Bridge’s life as she grew up, she said, and when she sold her first diamond at 16 years old, she felt connected to the heart of the business.
Even after selling the business, it still felt like it was family-owned, she said.
In 2019, Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffet appointed Bridge as CEO, which she called “the most extraordinary of opportunities.”
The following year, Bridge would have her first child in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, managing store closures from her hospital bed.
“We weathered each new curveball, and came out as a stronger, more nimble business on the other side,” she said.
The retailer sold its Pandora division to downsize its footprint and revamped the shopping experience in its Ben Bridge stores.
Bridge, a certified gemologist, also served as board president of the American Gem Society for the 2022-2023 period.
Under Bridge’s leadership, the retailer also recently acquired Olympic Manufacturing, a full-service jewelry repair and manufacturing company based in Bellevue, Washington, as a step toward greater vertical integration.
The jeweler has been around as long as it has by staying true to its values while continuing to evolve, said Bridge.
“I am not yet sure what the next chapter of my career will be, but our people and Ben Bridge will always be part of me,” she said.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
