EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
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
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
