CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
IndependentsSep 07, 2016
Jeweler Alvin Goldfarb Dies at 84
The Seattle retailer got into the business in the late 1950s and opened his own store, Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler, in 1980.
Alvin Goldfarb opened his eponymous jewelry store in 1980 and “immediately established a reputation for unparalleled integrity, quality and privacy.” The jeweler died earlier this week at the age of 84.
Seattle--Alvin Goldfarb, a fixture in the jewelry industry since the late 1950s, died Sunday in his hometown of Seattle. He was 84.
Born to Sylvia and Samuel Goldfarb, Alvin Goldfarb grew up in Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood and attended Garfield High School, where he played basketball and performed in a well-known local quartet called the Debonaires.
He went on to attend the University of Washington. There, he enrolled in ROTC and continued to sing with the Debonaires, which eventually became a duo called The Two-Tones.
After graduation, Goldfarb served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and earned his graduate gemology diploma from the Gemological Institute of America.
He married Jackie Friedlander, the woman who would be by his side for the next 59 years, in 1957 and decided to join Friedlander & Sons Jewelers.
There, his caring and attention to clients laid the foundation for a long career in the jewelry industry and friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Goldfarb opened Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue in 1980, a bold move in the days when the neighborhood was strictly suburbia.
But the shop survived and today it is run by his son Steven, who is store president.
Outside the jewelry industry, Goldfarb taught Hebrew school at Temple de Hirsch Sinai, was president of the Pacific Northwest Jewelers Association and the Mercer Island Country Club, and was vice president of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of King County. He also served on the boards of directors of the Corporate Council for the Arts and Temple de Hirsch Sinai.
He was a member of the downtown Seattle Rotary Club, Tamarisk Country Club and the Central Park Tennis Club.
Goldfarb was a man who loved a good chocolate milkshake, taking in a Seattle Mariners game, the TV show Two and a Half Men and playing poker with the guys.
Above all, though, he loved his wife, his children and his grandchildren.
Goldfarb is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; his three children, Susan Goldfarb Wolfe of Palo Alto, Calif.; Steven (Fredda) Goldfarb of Bellevue; and David Goldfarb of Los Angeles; grandsons Jack and Sam Wolfe; and one brother, Royal (Kris) Goldfarb.
He was preceded in death by his other brother, Michael Goldfarb of Medina.
Services took place Tuesday at Temple de Hirsch Sinai in Seattle and the store was closed that day in his honor.
Memorial contributions may be sent
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
to the temple, 1511 East Pike St., Seattle, WA, 98115.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.
SourcingMar 21, 2025
BrankoGems To Hold Conference in MontanaThe event, set for June 13-15, will feature educational presentations and guided visits to the state’s sapphire mines.
TrendsMar 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marrow Fine’s ‘Til Death’ RingAfter the black enamel band became a best-seller for the brand, it has now launched an enamel ring personalization program.
Events & AwardsMar 20, 2025
JCK Rocks to Feature Snoop Dogg, Jason DeruloThe rapper and singer-songwriter will perform at Tao Beach on June 8.
TechnologyMar 20, 2025
Chris Ploof, Severine Ferrari Launch YouTube Video Series“Conversations with Chris Ploof” covers tips for men buying wedding bands, behind-the-scenes footage of Ploof in his studio, and more.
Lab-GrownMar 20, 2025
Beyond Jewelry: Possibilities in the Lab-Grown Diamond SectorAs lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.
FinancialsMar 19, 2025
Signet Jewelers to Close Stores, Cut Staff Amid Declining SalesThe moves are part of the retailer’s new turnaround plan, “Grow Brand Love,” which also includes emphasizing brand loyalty over store banners.
CollectionsMar 19, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s New Collection Elevates Office WearThe “Rush Hour” campaign stars Zoë Kravitz in bold, wearable pieces designed to make a statement in the workplace.
WatchesMar 19, 2025
Breitling Acquires Another Watch Brand From the 1800sBreitling is reviving Gallet, which was founded in 1826 and is known for making watches used in the early days of long-distance travel.
