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.
MajorsMay 18, 2017
Forbes List of Wealthiest Women Includes 2 from Jewelry
Alex & Ani founder Carolyn Rafaelian and Kendra Scott both are new to the Forbes list of the richest self-made women in America.
Carolyn Rafaelian, the woman behind Alex & Ani, and Kendra Scott, who started her eponymous jewelry brand, made Forbes’ list of richest self-made women this year.
New York--Forbes has released its list of the richest self-made women in United States again, and this year’s list includes two women from the jewelry world.
Alex & Ani founder and CEO Carolyn Rafaelian is at No. 18 (with a net worth of $1 billion), while Kendra Scott, who started her eponymous brand in 2002, is listed at No. 36 (with a net worth of $500 million).
To compile the women’s net worth, Forbes said it valued private companies by talking to a variety of outside experts and comparing the companies with public competitors, and calculated the stakes in public companies using stock prices from April 28.
To be eligible for the list, women had to have “substantially made their own fortunes.”
In cases in which the women started businesses with, and still share with, their husbands, Forbes assigned them half of the combined wealth. For entertainers, the estimates are based on their net lifetime earnings. Real estate, art and other assets also were factored in where applicable.
The minimum net worth needed to make this year’s list was $260 million, an increase from $250 million in 2016.
Rafaelian was one of two billionaires added to the list in 2017 (the other was Eren Ozmen of aerospace and defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corp.) and was even featured on the cover of the Forbes issue featuring the list. The magazine’s story on the “bangle billionaire,” as they refer to her, also briefly touches on Rhode Island’s costume jewelry manufacturing history because Alex & Ani is based in Cranston.
Scott also was new to the list this year.
What’s interesting about the inclusion of Rafaelian and Scott on the list is that their brands were built on affordably priced jewelry.
The popular Alex and Ani sells bangles ranging from about $32 to $38 at retail, and while Kendra Scott does use real gemstones in some cases and also has a line of fine jewelry, her brand was built on her collection priced around $150 and below (and the popularity of its create-your-own-piece feature).
Overall, the list’s top five is (mostly) full of surprises.
At No. 1 is Marian
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Ilitch, who founded Little Caesars Pizza with her husband, Mike. After his death in February, Ilitch is now the richest self-made woman in America with a net worth of $5.1 billion.
She’s followed by Diane Hendricks, co-founder and chairman of ABC Supply, one of the largest wholesale distributors of roofing, siding and windows in America ($4.9 billion); Judy Love, who opened and ran a chain of gas stations with her husband ($2.9 billion); Oprah Winfrey ($2.9 billion); and Doris Fisher, co-founder of fashion retailer Gap ($2.7 billion).
There are some others with ties to jewelry on the list, such as Meg Whitman, best known for growing eBay in her role as CEO, and designer Vera Wang, as well as some not-so-surprising celebrity entries like Madonna, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.
There are 60 women on the list with a combined net worth of $61.5 billion, Forbes said, noting that 27 percent came from the fashion and retail space, while 18 percent are in tech and 17 percent in media.
The full list can be found on Forbes.com.
She’s followed by Diane Hendricks, co-founder and chairman of ABC Supply, one of the largest wholesale distributors of roofing, siding and windows in America ($4.9 billion); Judy Love, who opened and ran a chain of gas stations with her husband ($2.9 billion); Oprah Winfrey ($2.9 billion); and Doris Fisher, co-founder of fashion retailer Gap ($2.7 billion).
There are some others with ties to jewelry on the list, such as Meg Whitman, best known for growing eBay in her role as CEO, and designer Vera Wang, as well as some not-so-surprising celebrity entries like Madonna, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.
There are 60 women on the list with a combined net worth of $61.5 billion, Forbes said, noting that 27 percent came from the fashion and retail space, while 18 percent are in tech and 17 percent in media.
The full list can be found on Forbes.com.
More on Majors
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.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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.
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.
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.
IndependentsMar 20, 2025
Korman Fine Jewelry’s New Store Is Double the Size The Austin, Texas, jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot store is set to open this summer.
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.
