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.
More on Independents
The Latest
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
