Lab-GrownAug 16, 2022
Pandora’s Lab-Grown Diamond Line Heads to the U.S.MajorsAug 25, 2022
Fresh Out of Bankruptcy, Alex + Ani Gets $17M Loan
Second Avenue Capital Partners announced the closing of a $17.5 million senior secured credit facility for the jewelry company.
The Alex and Ani “Armenian Flower” bangle. The jewelry company recently closed on a $17.5 million loan, which it will use to continue to rebuild after emerging from bankruptcy.
Boston—Alex and Ani LLC has secured a multimillion-dollar loan that will go toward working capital and business operations as it continues to rebuild after emerging from bankruptcy.
Second Avenue Capital Partners (SACP) announced the closing of the $17.5 million senior secured credit facility on Wednesday.
Scott Burger, the former Pandora executive who was named CEO of Alex and Ani in January, said the loan is an “affirmation of the resiliency” of the Alex and Ani brand.
“We create jewelry that connects with a customer’s emotions. It was essential for us to partner with a lender that could appreciate the intangible value of that emotional connection and recognize the benefit it will have on our continued evolution,” he said, noting SACP’s commitment to the company’s goals and its experience in jewelry.
The Boston-based lender closed on a $10 million loan to myGemma, an online resale site for luxury goods including jewelry and watches, in April.
In May, it provided a senior secured credit facility to Maria Tash, the brand founded by designer Maria Tashjian and known as an innovator in piercings. The amount of the loan was not disclosed.
Regarding the loan to Alex and Ani, SPAC President Chris O’Connor said: “Alex and Ani has embarked on a new journey this year. Expanded leadership has allowed the company to take a step back and focus on the foundation of the business. Alex and Ani cornered this market years ago and now they’re assembling the underlying structure to support the volume.
“They have an enormous opportunity for growth and we’re eager to help them achieve their objectives and execute on their strategy.”
Founded in Rhode Island in 2004 by Carolyn Rafaelian, who named the company after her daughters, Alex and Ani’s inexpensive, expandable wire charm bracelets became wildly popular in the early 2010s.
The bracelets were sold at Alex and Ani stores nationwide and via retail partners, including both chain stores and independent jewelers, with annual revenue totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Over time, the buzz around the bracelets faded and the company found itself saddled with debt related to its explosive growth, embroiled in legal battles, and grappling with constant turnover among its executive ranks.
Rafaelian left the company in 2020.
The pandemic hit the already struggling company particularly hard and Alex and Ani filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2021 with hopes of finding a buyer.
None emerged and in September of that year a judge OK’ed a Chapter 11 reorganization plan under which private equity firm Lion Capital LLP purchased debt Alex and Ani owed to various banks and upped its stake in the company to 65 percent from 59 percent.
A company called the Bathing Club LLC bought the remaining 35 percent of the company.
MajorsAug 09, 2022
Signet to Buy Blue Nile in $360M Deal
MajorsJun 11, 2021
Alex and Ani Files for Bankruptcy More on Majors
The Latest
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
