PodcastsJul 22, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
MajorsJul 12, 2018
Kendra Scott, Carolyn Rafaelian Made This Forbes List Again
It also includes Kylie Jenner, who’s on track to become the youngest-ever self-made billionaire.
Carolyn Rafaelian (left) and Kendra Scott made Forbes’ list of the richest self-made women in America, ranking at Nos. 21 and 40, respectively.
New York—Forbes, that frequent publisher of lists of people who’ve made a lot of money, just released its latest, the 2018 ranking of America’s Richest Self-Made Women.
Once again, the list includes two women well-known in the jewelry world: Carolyn Rafaelian, whose Alex and Ani bangle bracelets are carried by fine jewelers nationwide, and Kendra Scott, who started her eponymous costume jewelry company with $500 in her spare bedroom.
Rafaelian ranks No. 21 out of 60 with a net worth of $1 billion.
A Rhode Island native who is the daughter of Armenian immigrants, Rafaelian started bangle brand Alex and Ani in 2004. The company is named after her two daughters, and its bangles are made in the same factory where Rafaelian’s father manufactured American flag pins and costume jewelry.
She remains the company’s CEO and chief creative officer and holds a majority stake in Alex and Ani.
Scott, meanwhile, ranks No. 40 with an estimated net worth of $500 million. She has 79 of her own stores, and her jewelry is carried by department stores and other retailers nationwide.
Both women made the list last year as well.
Insta-Fortunes
If there was a lesson to be taken away from the 2018 list of the U.S.’s richest self-made women, it’s this: There is a lot of money to be made in cosmetics, and the best way to make it is to have a huge Instagram following and showcase the products there.
Kylie Jenner (No. 27) started her cosmetics business two years ago selling a $29 kit consisting of lipstick and a matching liner. She leveraged her 110 million Instagram followers to turn Kylie Cosmetics into an $800 million company, Forbes estimates, and personally is worth $900 million.
At only 20, she’s on track to become the youngest-ever self-made billionaire and is the youngest woman on the 2018 list (Taylor Swift is second at age 28.)
Joining her on the list are several other women who’ve made a fortune in cosmetics thanks in large part to the power of social media.
According to Forbes, Anastasia Soare’s (No. 21, $1 billion) Anastasia Beverly Hills brand took off after her daughter opened an Instagram account for the company that now has more than 17 million followers.
Huda Kattan (No. 37, $550 million) used her status as an Instagram influencer to help launch Huda Beauty after she couldn’t find any false eyelashes that she liked.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The company now has 26 million followers.
Also making the cosmetics/social media mogul cut is Jenner’s half-sister, Kim Kardashian West (No. 54), who can attribute some of her $350 million fortune to her contouring kit and perfume company, KKW Beauty.
Other women on the list include:
--Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, No. 6 ($3.1 billion);
--Clothing designer Vera Wang, whose brand is licensed by Zales, No. 34 ($630 million);
--Madonna, No. 36 ($590 million);
--Judy Sheindlin (aka Judge Judy), No. 48 ($400 million);
--Beyoncé Knowles, No. 53 ($355 million); and
--Taylor Swift, No. 60 ($320 million).
The entire list can be viewed on Forbes.com.
Also making the cosmetics/social media mogul cut is Jenner’s half-sister, Kim Kardashian West (No. 54), who can attribute some of her $350 million fortune to her contouring kit and perfume company, KKW Beauty.
Other women on the list include:
--Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, No. 6 ($3.1 billion);
--Clothing designer Vera Wang, whose brand is licensed by Zales, No. 34 ($630 million);
--Madonna, No. 36 ($590 million);
--Judy Sheindlin (aka Judge Judy), No. 48 ($400 million);
--Beyoncé Knowles, No. 53 ($355 million); and
--Taylor Swift, No. 60 ($320 million).
The entire list can be viewed on Forbes.com.
More on Majors
The Latest
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
