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
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
ColumnistsDec 09, 2025
Holiday Sales Happen in December, Most Decisions Don’tMost customers who walk into your store this month have made up their minds. Your job is to validate their choice, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsDec 09, 2025
‘Once Upon a Time,’ Guzema Debuted Its Holiday CollectionThe collection features characters and motifs from Ukrainian folklore, including an enchanted mirror and a magic egg.
TechnologyDec 09, 2025
Gemvision Releases Updated MatrixGoldMatrixGold 3.11, the newest version of the jewelry design program, offers more flexibility, precision, and creative control.
Events & AwardsDec 09, 2025
MJSA Showcase Pavilion Returning to JA New York The pavilion will be part of the 2026 JA New York Spring show, scheduled for March 15 to 17.
MajorsDec 08, 2025
Juell Kadet, a ‘Lifelong Pillar’ of Rogers & Hollands, Dies at 96Kadet, a 1994 National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame inductee, helped grow the family-owned retailer in the Chicago area and beyond.
