SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
IndependentsMar 16, 2021
Tivol Matriarch Ruthie Tivol Dies at 91
She is remembered as a force of nature with an impeccable sense of style and a keen eye for up-and-coming designers.
Ruthie Tivol was a titan of the jewelry industry, running Kansas City independent Tivol for decades alongside husband Harold. She died last week at the age of 91. (Photo courtesy of Tivol Facebook page)
Kansas City, Mo.—Ruthie Tivol, the longstanding matriarch of Kansas City jeweler Tivol, died March 10.
She was 91.
According to her obituary in The Kansas City Star, Ruth Abend Krigel Tivol, better known as Ruthie, was born July 10, 1929 in Dubienka, Poland.
In December 1938, when she was 9, she moved with her mother and older sister to Kansas City, reuniting with her father, who had moved to the United States several years prior.
She always understood how fortunate her family was to escape the Nazis and never forgot those who were left behind.
Tivol graduated from Kansas City’s Central High School in 1946 and attended the University of Missouri for one year before leaving to work for George K. Baum & Co., an investment banking firm.
Shortly after, she met an attorney named Herbert Mayer Krigel. They married in 1950, relocating briefly to California but returning to Kansas City shortly before their first child was born.
The couple went on to have two more children together before Krigel died in 1974.
A widow at the age of 45, Tivol went to work for J.C. Nichols for a few years before marrying legendary retailer Harold Tivol in 1978 and joining him to work at his family’s jewelry store.
Her style and charm enhanced the business, and the couple worked side-by-side for decades, traveling the world to find the best work from up-and-coming designers and becoming a well-known, and well-loved, pair in the jewelry industry.
Harold died in 2016 at the age of 92.
Outside of the jewelry industry, Tivol was president of the PTA at the Border Star School, president of the Women’s Auxiliary at Menorah Medical Center and, for many years, worked as a docent at Kansas City’s Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
She belonged to the New Reform Temple, The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, Oakwood Country Club, Tamarisk Country Club and volunteered for the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.
Tivol also chaired numerous fundraisers for area organizations, including the Barstow School, the Anne Frank Exhibit at Union Station, the U.S. Holocaust Museum, and the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
She was 91.
According to her obituary in The Kansas City Star, Ruth Abend Krigel Tivol, better known as Ruthie, was born July 10, 1929 in Dubienka, Poland.
In December 1938, when she was 9, she moved with her mother and older sister to Kansas City, reuniting with her father, who had moved to the United States several years prior.
She always understood how fortunate her family was to escape the Nazis and never forgot those who were left behind.
Tivol graduated from Kansas City’s Central High School in 1946 and attended the University of Missouri for one year before leaving to work for George K. Baum & Co., an investment banking firm.
Shortly after, she met an attorney named Herbert Mayer Krigel. They married in 1950, relocating briefly to California but returning to Kansas City shortly before their first child was born.
The couple went on to have two more children together before Krigel died in 1974.
A widow at the age of 45, Tivol went to work for J.C. Nichols for a few years before marrying legendary retailer Harold Tivol in 1978 and joining him to work at his family’s jewelry store.
Her style and charm enhanced the business, and the couple worked side-by-side for decades, traveling the world to find the best work from up-and-coming designers and becoming a well-known, and well-loved, pair in the jewelry industry.
Harold died in 2016 at the age of 92.
Outside of the jewelry industry, Tivol was president of the PTA at the Border Star School, president of the Women’s Auxiliary at Menorah Medical Center and, for many years, worked as a docent at Kansas City’s Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.
She belonged to the New Reform Temple, The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, Oakwood Country Club, Tamarisk Country Club and volunteered for the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.
Tivol also chaired numerous fundraisers for area organizations, including the Barstow School, the Anne Frank Exhibit at Union Station, the U.S. Holocaust Museum, and the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
Her hobbies included golf, tennis, and bridge, and she was part of a women’s study group that got together regularly for more than 50 years.
The store announced her passing via social media last week, paying homage to a woman the retailer described as a force of nature who inspired the staff at Tivol both personally and professionally.
“She and Harold were the titans of the industry for years,” the post reads. “It is truly the end of an era. May her memory be a blessing.”
The store announced her passing via social media last week, paying homage to a woman the retailer described as a force of nature who inspired the staff at Tivol both personally and professionally.
“She and Harold were the titans of the industry for years,” the post reads. “It is truly the end of an era. May her memory be a blessing.”
Tivol was preceded in death by her first husband, Herbert; her second husband, Harold; and her granddaughter, Brooke Tivol McGrath.
She is survived by five children, Merilyn Berenbom (Loren), Kathy Hawley (Scott), James Krigel (Felicia), Tom Tivol (Susan) and Cathy Maslan (Mark); 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one brother, Mel Abend; and many loving nieces and nephews.
A Zoom memorial service is scheduled for this coming Sunday, March 21 at 11 a.m. Central time. Anyone interested in attending should email zoom1@louismemorial.com for more information.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruth Krigel Tivol Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, Kansas 66211, or to a charity of one’s choosing.
She is survived by five children, Merilyn Berenbom (Loren), Kathy Hawley (Scott), James Krigel (Felicia), Tom Tivol (Susan) and Cathy Maslan (Mark); 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one brother, Mel Abend; and many loving nieces and nephews.
A Zoom memorial service is scheduled for this coming Sunday, March 21 at 11 a.m. Central time. Anyone interested in attending should email zoom1@louismemorial.com for more information.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruth Krigel Tivol Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, Kansas 66211, or to a charity of one’s choosing.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
