CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
IndependentsApr 03, 2018
Industry Legend Herb Bridge Dies at 93
He started working at Ben Bridge Jeweler as soon as he could see over the counter.
Herb Bridge, right, with his brother Bob at the Gem Awards in 1998. The industry icon died Tuesday at the age of 93. (Photo courtesy Jewelers of America)
Seattle--Herb Bridge, a leader in both the jewelry industry and the Seattle business community, died Tuesday surrounded by family at his home. He was 93.
Born in Seattle in 1925 to Ben and Sally Silverman Bridge, Bridge was “born into” the jewelry business and started working at Ben Bridge Jeweler as soon as he could see over the counter, he once told the Puget Sound Business Journal.
He joined the U.S. Navy shortly after the country entered World War II. It was the start of a 41-year career in the Navy and Naval Reserve in which he would rise to the rank of rear admiral.
After the war, he returned to working in his family’s jewelry store.
His father and company namesake, Ben Bridge, turned the business over to Herb and his brother Bob when they were 29 and 23, respectively. Together, they grew Ben Bridge Jeweler from one store on the corner of Fourth and Pike in Seattle into what is now one of the largest specialty jewelers in the United States.
When he turned 59, Herb Bridge passed his portion of the business onto his son, Jon. (Ben Bridge Jewelers was acquired by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway in 2000 but still is run by the Bridge family.)
Bridge earned a number of awards throughout the course of this career from both the city of Seattle and the jewelry industry. His honors include being inducted into the National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame in 1998, alongside Arnold Bockstruck and Esther Fortunoff.
He is survived by two sons, Dan Bridge (Sim Shtull) and Jon Bridge (Bobbe)—who recently retired as co-CEO and general counsel of Ben Bridge Jeweler—along with four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and his partner, Edie Hilliard.
On Tuesday his great-niece, current Ben Bridge President and Chief Operating Officer Lisa Bridge, remembered Herb on Instagram, writing, “Walking to Rotary, AGS, or a Ben Bridge event with Uncle Herb was a slow process, because as we moved, he talked with every single person on the way. He always remembered people and spoke with a unique care, humor, and twinkle in his eye.
“That was Herb, he taught us to invest time and energy in to our community and everyone we came in to contact with. I am thankful to have had such a loving, wonderful role model in my life and I will strive to live a life in his honor.”
A more detailed story on Herb
Bridge’s life and contributions to the jewelry industry will appear in a future edition of National Jeweler’s Daily newsletter. Those with memories they would like to share should contact Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff at 212-687-2758 or michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com.
More on Independents
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 11, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2026
The Edge Awards Scholarships to 2 Young Jewelry ProfessionalsThe recipients were recognized at the 24 Karat Club of the Southeastern United States’ annual banquet.
Weekly QuizSep 10, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsSep 10, 2026
Lagos Founder Steven Lagos Steps Down as CEO Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
CrimeSep 10, 2026
FBI Offers $50K Reward for ‘Most Wanted’ Fugitive in $1M Jewelry HeistAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Massive Matched Pair of Paraíba Tourmalines Head to Sotheby’sThe “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.
SourcingSep 10, 2026
AGTA Announces 4 Newly Elected DirectorsFour directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.
AuctionsSep 10, 2026
Former Sotheby’s, Christie’s Exec Appointed CEO of Julien’s Auctions Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
MajorsSep 09, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Catalog Includes Its New Demi-Fine CollectionFine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
