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.
IndependentsApr 03, 2018
Industry Legend Herb Bridge Dies at 93
He started working at Ben Bridge Jeweler as soon as he could see over the counter.
Herb Bridge, right, with his brother Bob at the Gem Awards in 1998. The industry icon died Tuesday at the age of 93. (Photo courtesy Jewelers of America)
Seattle--Herb Bridge, a leader in both the jewelry industry and the Seattle business community, died Tuesday surrounded by family at his home. He was 93.
Born in Seattle in 1925 to Ben and Sally Silverman Bridge, Bridge was “born into” the jewelry business and started working at Ben Bridge Jeweler as soon as he could see over the counter, he once told the Puget Sound Business Journal.
He joined the U.S. Navy shortly after the country entered World War II. It was the start of a 41-year career in the Navy and Naval Reserve in which he would rise to the rank of rear admiral.
After the war, he returned to working in his family’s jewelry store.
His father and company namesake, Ben Bridge, turned the business over to Herb and his brother Bob when they were 29 and 23, respectively. Together, they grew Ben Bridge Jeweler from one store on the corner of Fourth and Pike in Seattle into what is now one of the largest specialty jewelers in the United States.
When he turned 59, Herb Bridge passed his portion of the business onto his son, Jon. (Ben Bridge Jewelers was acquired by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway in 2000 but still is run by the Bridge family.)
Bridge earned a number of awards throughout the course of this career from both the city of Seattle and the jewelry industry. His honors include being inducted into the National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame in 1998, alongside Arnold Bockstruck and Esther Fortunoff.
He is survived by two sons, Dan Bridge (Sim Shtull) and Jon Bridge (Bobbe)—who recently retired as co-CEO and general counsel of Ben Bridge Jeweler—along with four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and his partner, Edie Hilliard.
On Tuesday his great-niece, current Ben Bridge President and Chief Operating Officer Lisa Bridge, remembered Herb on Instagram, writing, “Walking to Rotary, AGS, or a Ben Bridge event with Uncle Herb was a slow process, because as we moved, he talked with every single person on the way. He always remembered people and spoke with a unique care, humor, and twinkle in his eye.
“That was Herb, he taught us to invest time and energy in to our community and everyone we came in to contact with. I am thankful to have had such a loving, wonderful role model in my life and I will strive to live a life in his honor.”
A more detailed story on Herb
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Bridge’s life and contributions to the jewelry industry will appear in a future edition of National Jeweler’s Daily newsletter. Those with memories they would like to share should contact Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff at 212-687-2758 or michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com.
More on Independents
The Latest
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
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
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.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
