Both slipped a few notches from last year.
With a net worth of $1 billion, Carolyn Rafaelian of Alex and Ani has landed at No. 21 on Forbes’ latest list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women.
Kendra Scott of Kendra Scott Design Inc., meanwhile, is No. 40. Her net worth is listed at $500 million.
Forbes describes Rafaelian, 51, as “America’s richest jeweler”
In addition to her majority stake in Cranston, RI-based Alex and Ani, Rafaelian “has bought up more than 30 properties, most of which are in her native Rhode Island including a castle and vineyard,” according to Forbes.
Last year her $1 billion net worth put her at No. 18 on the list.
Scott, 44, owns a maority share of the company she founded in 2002. It’s now a 79-store chain, and the brand “has expanded into home decor, making candles, boxes and trays,” Forbes notes.
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Last year, her $500 million net worth landed her at No. 36 on the list.
Forbes’ list includes 60 women. Their combined net worth is $71 billion.
Read more at Forbes
Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
