The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
Baubles and billionaires
The jewelry industry loves billionaires. After all, how many regular old millionaires can plunk down $250,000 for a new necklace or a fancy ring? Apparently, the jewelry industry breeds billionaires, too. A good chunk of the people on Forbes' recently...
The jewelry industry loves billionaires. After all, how many regular
old millionaires can plunk down $250,000 for a new necklace or a fancy
ring? Apparently, the jewelry industry breeds billionaires, too. A good chunk of the people on Forbes'
recently released list of the world's 947 billionaires in 2007 have some connection to the industry.
Ranked at No. 2 (behind Bill Gates) is Warren Buffett,
worth $52 billion, whose company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns several of the
country's top jewelry chains, including Helzberg Diamonds, Borsheim's
and Ben Bridge Jeweler. Of course, Buffett has his money in just about every industry out there. Fellow Berkshire Hathaway shareholder Franklin Booth Jr., worth $2.1 billion, comes in at No. 458 on the list. The company's vice chairman Charles Munger, worth $1.9 billion, is ranked at No 538.
With only half the fortune of Buffett, Bernard Arnault
ranks No. 7 on the list. Worth $26 billion, Arnault owns 51 percent of
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, and serves as
chairman of both companies. LVMH owns a bevy of luxury brands,
including TAG Heuer and Zenith.
At the other end of the retail spectrum, the country's largest
jeweler, Wal-Mart, appeared responsible for the most members of
the billionaire's club, including Jim Walton (No. 23, worth $16.8 billion), Christy Walton and family and S. Robson Walton (tied at No. 24, worth $16.7 billion each), Alice Walton (No. 26, worth $16.6 billion), Helen Walton (No. 29, worth $16.4 billion), Ann Walton Kroenke (No. 336, worth $2.7 billion) and Nancy Walton Laurie (No. 407, worth $2.3 billion).
Francois Pinault,
worth $14.5 billion, appears at No. 34 on the list. Pinault is the
majority shareholder of luxury goods group PPR, which owns Gucci,
Boucheron and Bedat & Co. He also owns Christie's auction house. A side note (because I'm a gossip junkie): Pinault's son Francois-Henri Pinault, who is chairman and chief executive officer of PPR, just announced his engagement to actress Salma Hayek, who is pregnant with his baby. Will keep you posted when I get details on the ring.
The Latest

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.


Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

The organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

Signatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.