CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
MajorsMar 19, 2018
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Now Tops Forbes’ Billionaires List
Other people who made the list: the Bulgaris, Laurence Graff and Alex and Ani founder Carolyn Rafaelian.
Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos topped Forbes’ annual list of the world’s billionaires in 2018, with a net worth of more than $110 billion.
New York--The richest person in the world is in retail and, not surprisingly, it is online retail.
Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos ranked No. 1 on Forbes’ annual list of billionaires, with a net worth of $112 billion.
It’s the first time Bezos has come in at No. 1. According to Forbes, his fortune increased more than $39 billion, helping him to leapfrog Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who has a net worth of $90 billion. It was the biggest one-year gain for the list ever, Forbes said, and it has created the largest wealth gap between No. 1 and No. 2 since 2001.
Warren Buffett, whose holding company Berkshire Hathaway owns Ben Bridge Jeweler, Helzberg Diamond, Richline and Borsheims, came in at No. 3.
Forbes released its 2018 billionaires list earlier this month. It has a record 2,208 individuals from 72 countries, including the first billionaires on the list from Hungary and Zimbabwe.
Prominent names in the jewelry and watch industry who made the list include the heads of the world’s largest luxury conglomerates.
Bernard Arnault and family, chairman and CEO of LVMH (Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Hublot, etc.), came in at No. 4 with a net worth of $72 billion. Francois Pinault and family, ranked No. 30 with a net worth of $28 billion. Pinault is the founder of PPR (now Kering, brands include Boucheron and Ulysse Nardin) and he and his family also own Christie’s.
Coming in at No. 202 was former De Beers Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer with a net worth of $7.7 billion.
Johann Rupert and family, chairman of Richemont (Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Jaeger-LeCoultre, etc.), was No. 228 billion with a net worth of $7 billion.
Diamantaire Laurence Graff (no relation to the author) ranked No. 321 with a net worth of $5.6 billion. Graff is a self-made billionaire, dropping out of school at the age of 14 to start working (scrubbing toilets, according to Forbes) as a jeweler’s apprentice in Hatton Garden in London.
At No. 1103 was Chopard owner Karl Scheufele III with a net worth of $2.2 billion.
Tied along with a few other billionaires at No. 1394 are Nicola and Paolo Bulgari with a net worth of $1.7 billion each.
Three well-known figures in the jewelry industry came in, with a number of other billionaires, at No. 2124 with a net worth of $1 billion: Beny Steinmetz, Lev Leviev and Carolyn Rafaelian, founder of Alex + Ani.
Like Graff, Rafaelian is
a self-made billionaire; she made Forbes’ list of the richest self-made women in the U.S. last year.
Kendra Scott, who was on that list with Rafaelian, was not on Forbes’ 2018 billionaires list; she was among the 121 people who dropped off the list, according to Forbes.
Also dropping off the list was Nirav Modi, the Indian diamantaire and retailer accused of cheating Punjab National Bank out of billions.
To see the full list, go to Forbes.com.
Kendra Scott, who was on that list with Rafaelian, was not on Forbes’ 2018 billionaires list; she was among the 121 people who dropped off the list, according to Forbes.
Also dropping off the list was Nirav Modi, the Indian diamantaire and retailer accused of cheating Punjab National Bank out of billions.
To see the full list, go to Forbes.com.
More on Majors
The Latest
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
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.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
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.
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.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
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.
