SourcingNov 01, 2024
Reena Ahluwalia Donates Diamond Painting to Benefit CJAThe artwork, titled “Pristine,” was raffled off at the Canadian Jewellers Association’s recent summit.
MajorsNov 07, 2017
Warren Buffett Picks a Woman to Head Ben Bridge
Lisa Bridge is now the company’s president and chief operating officer.
Lisa Bridge was Ben Bridge Jeweler’s vice president of education and creator of the Lisa Bridge Collection before being promoted to president and chief operating officer. She officially moved into her new post on Nov. 1.
Seattle--Lisa Bridge is now president and chief operating officer of Ben Bridge Jeweler, the Berkshire Hathaway-owned, family-run chain announced Monday.
She is the first female president in company history and, at 32, its youngest top executive in more than 60 years.
Current co-CEO and General Counsel Jon Bridge is retiring while President and co-CEO Ed Bridge will become the company’s chairman and CEO.
Marc Bridge, Lisa’s brother and Ben Bridge’s vice president of marketing, has left the company.
“With the challenges facing retailing, I am excited to have someone passionate for the jewelry business with creative ideas and an understanding of today’s consumer at the helm. Lisa has retailing in her blood,” Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett said in a news release announcing the changes.
A fifth-generation jeweler, Lisa Bridge is a certified gemologist and jewelry designer who grew up in the family business.
She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and attended the Gemological Institute of America, where she received her graduate gemologist degree in residence.
She spent time in the company’s buying department, developing both her passion for gemstones and her understanding of the sourcing and design process, before launching her namesake collection in 2015. The Lisa Bridge Collection has become one of the fastest-growing lines for the company, the retailer said.
For the last seven years, Lisa Bridge worked as the company’s vice president of education, overseeing the education and professional development of 1,200 associates.
As president, she will oversee merchandising, operations, marketing, sales and human resources.
“I love the relationships that are built over a beautiful piece of jewelry, and I am eager to provide amazing experiences for each of our customers,” she said.
In addition to Ben Bridge Jeweler Inc., Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway owns Helzberg Diamonds and Borsheims in Omaha, Nebraska.
The billionaire investor is known for appointing women to leadership positions--Beryl Raff is chairwoman and CEO at Helzberg while Karen Goracke succeeded Susan Jacques at Borsheims. And there is, in fact, a book on the subject, “The Women of Berkshire Hathaway: Lessons from Warren Buffett’s Female CEOs.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated post-publication to include information about Marc Bridge.
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsNov 01, 2024
Gunderson’s Jewelers Opens New Location in NebraskaThe new store features a custom design studio and a bridal salon.
CollectionsNov 01, 2024
Piece of the Week: Sydney Evan Gets ‘Wicked’Designer Rosanne Karmes has created a collection to coincide with the release of the movie musical, which is expected to be a blockbuster.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
FinancialsOct 31, 2024
Charles & Colvard Faces Possible Nasdaq DelistingThe retailer said it will file the necessary paperwork to regain compliance as soon as it is able.
Weekly QuizOct 31, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsOct 31, 2024
Peter Smith: Nervous Flyers and Emotional SellingWhether you’re calming the jittery gentleman in seat 13B or selling a diamond ring to a hesitant customer, an empathetic approach is best.
Events & AwardsOct 31, 2024
WJA Will Celebrate 4 Award Winners at ‘Future of Forty’ GalaThe gala includes a red carpet, music from DJ Renata, an awards program, and “mystery boxes.”
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
Events & AwardsOct 31, 2024
The Instore Show Returns To Chicago AreaThe trade show, in its third year, will take place in late September at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Lab-GrownOct 31, 2024
Q&A: Constance Polamalu on Selling Natural and Lab-Grown DiamondsThe jeweler shared her change of heart on lab-grown diamonds and why she keeps them separate from natural diamonds in her business ventures.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2024
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award The 2025 Gem Awards are scheduled to take place March 14 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
CollectionsOct 30, 2024
CD Peacock Honors Its Hometown of Chicago in First Bridal Collection“Love and Celebration” is the jeweler’s first in-house collection featuring engagement rings, wedding bands, and celebration rings.
SurveysOct 30, 2024
Consumer Confidence Rebounds in OctoberA more positive view of the labor market contributed to the strongest monthly gain since March 2021.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2024
Mejuri to Award $50K in Scholarships to Jewelry Design StudentsThe funds will be distributed to schools in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2024
The Can’t-Miss Events of 2024 New York City Jewelry WeekThis year’s festivities include more than 100 experiences, such as designer showcases, panel discussions, and even a treasure hunt.
AuctionsOct 29, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Sells for More Than $2MThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” that belonged to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is one of two Apollo-flown Rolex watches ever sold at auction.
MajorsOct 29, 2024
Pandora’s Holiday Campaign, New Jewelry Celebrate Light and LoveThe ads star brand ambassadors Chloe and Halle Bailey and Pamela Anderson.
SourcingOct 29, 2024
De Beers’ Production Drops 25% as Demand Remains SluggishThe company combined two sights in Q3 due to the slowdown in demand, and said it is moving up the dates for sights 9 and 10 in Q4.
EditorsOct 28, 2024
Q&A: Monica Rich Kosann Looks Back on 20 Years The jewelry designer discussed how she got into the jewelry industry, what she keeps in her favorite locket, and the future of her brand.
MajorsOct 28, 2024
Jewelers for Children’s Halloween Costume Contest RocksParticipants can buy five votes for $5 to decide which jeweler will dress up as an ‘80s rockstar for Halloween.
TrendsOct 28, 2024
Amanda’s Spooky Style FileThese 15 pieces of jewelry hand-picked ahead of Halloween appeal to the costume- and candy-loving child in all of us.
MajorsOct 25, 2024
This New Bulgari Boutique Is on a YachtStarboard Luxury is bringing the Italian brand aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s newest yacht.
CollectionsOct 25, 2024
Piece of the Week: A Haunting Piece of Mourning Jewelry The pendant, circa the late 1700s, likely was commissioned to remember a loved one who died young.
MajorsOct 25, 2024
Artistry Releases Its 2025 CatalogIt features the brand’s products in the precious color, semi-precious color, pearl, diamond, gold, and sterling silver categories.
EditorsOct 24, 2024
From a Witch to Wednesday: The Best Jewelry to Wear With Your Halloween CostumeFor her annual Halloween story, Associate Editor Lenore Fedow pairs fine jewelry with classic and contemporary Halloween costumes.
FinancialsOct 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands ‘More Resilient’ Than Other Luxury Goods in Q3 Sales fell 15 percent for the luxury conglomerate in the third quarter, led by a 26 percent drop in sales for flagship brand Gucci.
Events & AwardsOct 24, 2024
JA New York Fall Show Announces Education LineupThe education offerings include a diamond cutting demonstration, a session with JVC President Sara Yood, and a seminar on AI.
