As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.
Philadelphia Jeweler Robert Wolf Dies at 91
Wolf is remembered for his fierce devotion to his family and his love of all things fun.

Born March 6, 1930 to Henrietta and Jacob Wolf, he grew up in the Logan section of Philadelphia, as per his online obituary.
At the age of 11, he got his start on the city’s historic Jewelers’ Row, working as an errand boy. He worked his way up to being a salesman and then manager of Perloff’s fine jewelry store.
In 1961, he opened Wolf Jewelers on 8th and Walnut streets. The store remained there until the Wolf family sold the building in 2019.
His son, Lon, joined the family business after graduating from college and worked there for nearly 40 years.
Wolf had a number of famous customers come through his store over the years, including entertainers Sammy Davis Jr. and Eddie Fisher, daredevil Evel Knievel, and local celebrities Jack Kelly and Emma Chappell, according to his obituary in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
In his youth, Wolf played tennis and was a member of the Raleigh Beach Bums, a volleyball team based in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
He and his wife Erma later bought a home on the Jersey shore, riding bikes along the water together into their 80s.
The couple traveled the world together, visiting Europe, South America, Northern Africa, Mexico, Greece, and other far-flung locales.
“Bob was an exceptionally friendly, gregarious guy who loved to tell stories and jokes and just adored people, who adored him back. He loved life, and lived it to the fullest,” said his online obituary.
In a comment on his obituary, his niece, Allison Better Folkart, remembered how her uncle would sculpt airplanes and automobiles out of sand, to the delight of his nieces and nephews.
He was “full of humor to bolster his family and friends and cutting-edge cool, even into his 90s. He was a man who truly deserved the admiration and love he garnered,” she commented.
Wolf loved staying active, traveling, throwing parties, and fine dining, but his greatest love was his family, according to his obituary.
“He was a fiercely loyal supporter and protector of them, and was their rock through thick and thin. He was the best husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, father-in-law and friend to ever grace this planet.”
Wolf is survived by his wife Erma, daughter Alissa, son Lon, granddaughter Mazie Katherine, sister Marcia Better and her husband Ken, nephew Alan Butchin, former daughter-in-law Boni Wolf, and his nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Latest

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

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


He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

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

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.