IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
MajorsMay 18, 2017
Forbes List of Wealthiest Women Includes 2 from Jewelry
Alex & Ani founder Carolyn Rafaelian and Kendra Scott both are new to the Forbes list of the richest self-made women in America.
Carolyn Rafaelian, the woman behind Alex & Ani, and Kendra Scott, who started her eponymous jewelry brand, made Forbes’ list of richest self-made women this year.
New York--Forbes has released its list of the richest self-made women in United States again, and this year’s list includes two women from the jewelry world.
Alex & Ani founder and CEO Carolyn Rafaelian is at No. 18 (with a net worth of $1 billion), while Kendra Scott, who started her eponymous brand in 2002, is listed at No. 36 (with a net worth of $500 million).
To compile the women’s net worth, Forbes said it valued private companies by talking to a variety of outside experts and comparing the companies with public competitors, and calculated the stakes in public companies using stock prices from April 28.
To be eligible for the list, women had to have “substantially made their own fortunes.”
In cases in which the women started businesses with, and still share with, their husbands, Forbes assigned them half of the combined wealth. For entertainers, the estimates are based on their net lifetime earnings. Real estate, art and other assets also were factored in where applicable.
The minimum net worth needed to make this year’s list was $260 million, an increase from $250 million in 2016.
Rafaelian was one of two billionaires added to the list in 2017 (the other was Eren Ozmen of aerospace and defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corp.) and was even featured on the cover of the Forbes issue featuring the list. The magazine’s story on the “bangle billionaire,” as they refer to her, also briefly touches on Rhode Island’s costume jewelry manufacturing history because Alex & Ani is based in Cranston.
Scott also was new to the list this year.
What’s interesting about the inclusion of Rafaelian and Scott on the list is that their brands were built on affordably priced jewelry.
The popular Alex and Ani sells bangles ranging from about $32 to $38 at retail, and while Kendra Scott does use real gemstones in some cases and also has a line of fine jewelry, her brand was built on her collection priced around $150 and below (and the popularity of its create-your-own-piece feature).
Overall, the list’s top five is (mostly) full of surprises.
At No. 1 is Marian
Ilitch, who founded Little Caesars Pizza with her husband, Mike. After his death in February, Ilitch is now the richest self-made woman in America with a net worth of $5.1 billion.
She’s followed by Diane Hendricks, co-founder and chairman of ABC Supply, one of the largest wholesale distributors of roofing, siding and windows in America ($4.9 billion); Judy Love, who opened and ran a chain of gas stations with her husband ($2.9 billion); Oprah Winfrey ($2.9 billion); and Doris Fisher, co-founder of fashion retailer Gap ($2.7 billion).
There are some others with ties to jewelry on the list, such as Meg Whitman, best known for growing eBay in her role as CEO, and designer Vera Wang, as well as some not-so-surprising celebrity entries like Madonna, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.
There are 60 women on the list with a combined net worth of $61.5 billion, Forbes said, noting that 27 percent came from the fashion and retail space, while 18 percent are in tech and 17 percent in media.
The full list can be found on Forbes.com.
She’s followed by Diane Hendricks, co-founder and chairman of ABC Supply, one of the largest wholesale distributors of roofing, siding and windows in America ($4.9 billion); Judy Love, who opened and ran a chain of gas stations with her husband ($2.9 billion); Oprah Winfrey ($2.9 billion); and Doris Fisher, co-founder of fashion retailer Gap ($2.7 billion).
There are some others with ties to jewelry on the list, such as Meg Whitman, best known for growing eBay in her role as CEO, and designer Vera Wang, as well as some not-so-surprising celebrity entries like Madonna, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.
There are 60 women on the list with a combined net worth of $61.5 billion, Forbes said, noting that 27 percent came from the fashion and retail space, while 18 percent are in tech and 17 percent in media.
The full list can be found on Forbes.com.
The Latest
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
