Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
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
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
