WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
MajorsMar 05, 2014
Who in jewelry is a billionaire?
The Oppenheimer family and diamantaire Laurence Graff still rank among the world’s richest while the founder of Firestar Diamond is a “new billionaire,” according to Forbes’ annual list of the world’s wealthiest people, which was released this week.
New York--The Oppenheimer family and diamantaire Laurence Graff still rank among the world’s richest while the founder of Firestar Diamond is a “new billionaire,” according to Forbes’ annual list of the world’s wealthiest people, which was released this week.
Nicky Oppenheimer and family are No. 205 on the list, worth an estimated $6.7 billion. After more than eight decades in the diamond business, the Oppenheimers sold their remaining stake in De Beers to Anglo American in 2012.
Graff ranks No. 305 on the Forbes’ list. The 75-year-old, a United Kingdom citizen whose residence is listed as Gstaad, Switzerland, has an estimated fortune of $4.8 billion. The source of his wealth is described by Forbes as “diamond jewelry, Self Made.”
Graff dropped out of school at age 14 and began his career in the jewelry industry as an apprentice in London’s Hatton Garden, where he scrubbed toilets as part of his job, according to Forbes.
Today, he is the modern-day equivalent of Harry Winston, buying some of the world’s most impressive diamonds, including the 35.56-carat blue Wittelsbach diamond, which he recut and renamed the Wittelsbach-Graff, and a 24.78-carat fancy intense pink diamond that he called the “Graff Pink.”
New to Forbes’ list this year is Nirav Modi, nephew of Gitanjali Gems’ Mehul Choksi and founder of diamond company Firestar International. Modi, a resident of Mumbai, came in at No. 1,372 with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion.
The heads of three of the world’s largest luxury conglomerates also made the list: Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, came in at No. 15 with an estimated fortune of $33.5 billion. François Pinault and family, head of Kering (formerly PPR), ranks as No. 58 with a fortune of $15.5 billion, while South African citizen Johann Rupert, the chairman of Richemont, is No. 173 with $7.6 billion.
Others with a jewelry (or watch) connection making the list include Esther Grether and family at No. 731 with an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion. A resident of Basel, Grether is the second-largest shareholder in the Swatch Group.
Brothers Nicola and Paolo Bulgari tied at No. 1,210 with an estimated net worth of $2.4 billion. Indian jeweler, T.S. Kalyanaraman, founder and chairman of Kalyan Jewellers, a chain of jewelry stores in Indian that advertises itself as a “gold supermarket,” is No. 1,565 with an estimated net worth of $1 billion.
Topping the list again was Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, 58, with an estimated net worth of $76 billion. Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim Helu and family came in second, with an estimated net worth of $72 billion.
Spain’s Amancio Ortega, the 77-year-old founder of the company that owns clothing retailer Zara, is the world’s third richest man, according to the list, with an estimated net worth of $64 billion. Business magnate and Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett is No. 4 and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison ranks as No. 5 with a $48 billion fortune.
View the entire list at Forbes.com.
More on Majors
The Latest
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
CrimeOct 28, 2026
Man In Florida Who Swallowed Tiffany & Co. Earrings ConvictedJaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Weekly QuizOct 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysOct 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Up in October as Gas Prices EaseConsumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.
MajorsOct 28, 2026
Stuller’s Holiday Campaign Lets the ‘Magic of the Moment’ ShineThe holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
SourcingOct 27, 2026
De Beers Celebrates the Holidays With New ‘Desert Diamonds’ CampaignThe “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Solomon Brothers Acquires Mervis Diamond ImportersSolomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.
IndependentsOct 27, 2026
Gabriel & Co. Supports Charity Partner DKMS With Gala, New JewelsThe fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2026
JFC Announces 2027 ‘Facets’ HonoreesThe annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.
CollectionsOct 26, 2026
Bliss Lau’s ‘Vantage’ Point Is the Hawaiian HorizonIn her “Vantage” collection, Lau explores heritage, identity, and inner strength through designs featuring blue-green Guatemalan jade.
MajorsOct 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Takes Consumers Behind the ScenesThe jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.
Events & AwardsOct 26, 2026
Support JFC’s ‘Monster Mash Challenge,’ If You DareVote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
