IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Co-Founder ‘Mama Ann’ Bailey Dies at 100Raised in an orphanage, Bailey was 18 when she met her husband, Clyde. They opened their North Carolina jewelry store in 1948.
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
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
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
IndependentsFeb 19, 2026
Material Good Opens Third Location Material Good is celebrating its 10th anniversary as it opens its new store in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
Events & AwardsFeb 19, 2026
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Returns in MarchThe show will be held March 26-30 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Weekly QuizFeb 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Head to AuctionThe estate of the model, philanthropist, and ex-wife of Johnny Carson has signed statement jewels up for sale at John Moran Auctioneers.
PodcastsFeb 18, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Looks for Executive DirectorThe organization is seeking a new executive director to lead it into its next phase of strategic growth and industry influence.
Events & AwardsFeb 18, 2026
DCA to Host Gemstone Selling Education Session at IJO EventThe nonprofit will present a live, two-hour introductory course on building confidence when selling colored gemstones.
TrendsFeb 17, 2026
A Bit of Jewelry for the Year of the HorseWestern wear continues to trend in the Year of the Fire Horse and along with it, horse and horseshoe motifs in jewelry.
SourcingFeb 17, 2026
Colored Gemstone Experts Talk Tariffs, Trends in TucsonAlthough the market is robust, tariffs and precious metal prices are impacting the industry, Stuart Robertson and Brecken Branstrator said.
GradingFeb 17, 2026
Dr. George Rossman, Former GIA Governor, Dies at 81Rossman, who advised GIA for more than 50 years, is remembered for his passion and dedication to the field of gemology.
CrimeFeb 13, 2026
JSA Offering $10K Reward in Nancy Guthrie Case Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was abducted just as the Tucson gem shows were starting.
IndependentsFeb 13, 2026
97-Year-Old New Mexico Jewelry Store To CloseButterfield Jewelers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is preparing to close as members of the Butterfield family head into retirement.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2026
A ‘Rosebud’ Necklace for Valentine’s DayPaul Morelli’s “Rosebud” necklace, our Piece of the Week, uses 18-karat rose, green, and white gold to turn the symbol of love into jewelry.
MajorsFeb 12, 2026
These 8 Saks Fifth Avenue Stores Are ClosingParent company Saks Global is also closing nearly all Saks Off 5th locations, a Neiman Marcus store, and 14 personal styling suites.
CollectionsFeb 12, 2026
British Museum Raises $5M to Keep Jewel Linked to Henry VIII, Katherine of AragonIt is believed the 24-karat heart-shaped enameled pendant was made for an event marking the betrothal of Princess Mary in 1518.
SourcingFeb 12, 2026
‘Cotton Candy’ Necklace, 35-Carat Kunzite Win 2025 ‘Buyer’s Choice’ AwardsThe AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge “Buyer’s Choice” award winners were announced at the Spectrum Awards Gala last week.
Events & AwardsFeb 12, 2026
Kering Opens Entries for 2026 Sustainability-Focused AwardThe “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” returns for its second year with “Second Chance, First Choice” as its theme.
TrendsFeb 11, 2026
Halle Berry’s Retro Engagement Ring Is a Sapphire-Set StunnerSourced by For Future Reference Vintage, the yellow gold ring has a round center stone surrounded by step-cut sapphires.
MajorsFeb 11, 2026
Francesca’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe clothing and accessories chain announced last month it would be closing all of its stores.
CollectionsFeb 11, 2026
Zales Turns Sweethearts Into Jewelry for Valentine’s Day CollectionThe “Zales x Sweethearts” collection features three mystery heart charms engraved with classic sayings seen on the Valentine’s Day candies.
TechnologyFeb 11, 2026
Gemvision Symposium 2026 Slated for AprilThe event will include panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations of new digital manufacturing tools, and a jewelry design contest.
Events & AwardsFeb 11, 2026
TJS Announces Roundtable, Launches New AppRegistration is now open for The Jewelry Symposium, set to take place in Detroit from May 16-19.
SourcingFeb 10, 2026
At Meeting in South Africa, Support for Natural Diamonds Picks Up Steam Namibia has formally signed the Luanda Accord, while two key industry organizations pledged to join the Natural Diamond Council.
TrendsFeb 10, 2026
Bad Bunny Wears Football-Shaped ‘Desert Diamond’ for Halftime PerformanceLady Gaga, Cardi B, and Karol G also went with diamond jewelry for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show honoring Puerto Rico.
