Berkshire Hathaway Putting Helzberg, Ben Bridge in Jewelry Group

By Rob Bates | August 11, 2025

Berkshire Hathaway, which has generally let its holdings stand on their own, is creating a jewelry group that will include retailers Helzberg and Ben Bridge Jeweler.

The BH Jewelry Group will be headed by Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton. It was not clear if Berkshire-owned jewelry manufacturer Richline or one-store retailer Borsheims will be part of the new entity.

Helzberg spokesperson Marti Greathouse tells JCK that Ben Bridge and Helzberg “will maintain [their] separate name, experience, and customer. We serve different market segments and regions—that doesn’t change. What is new is the opportunity for each organization to benefit from the shared knowledge and experience gained from more than two centuries combined.”

Lisa Bridge (pictured) announced in a LinkedIn post this weekend that she will step down as Ben Bridge’s president and CEO after six years in the role.

“There is now a different direction for the company, and it is time for me to step away,” Bridge said. “I am not yet sure what the next chapter of my career will be, but our people and Ben Bridge will always be part of me.”

Following Bridge’s departure, Ben Bridge chief financial officer Lynnette Frank will lead the 34-store chain’s operations as interim brand president, while continuing as CFO.

Lisa Bridge took over the 113-year-old retailer in 2019 from her father, Ed. She was the fifth generation of her family, and first woman, to lead the company.

In her post, Bridge noted that “growing up, the family business was omnipresent” and that she sold her first diamond at age 16. Since she became CEO, Ben Bridge has faced a series of curveballs, her post said.

“I had my first child as the world shut down amidst the pandemic, closing our stores and managing from my hospital bed,” Bridge wrote. “We consolidated our footprint by selling our Pandora division and retooling our stores to stronger positioning, upleveling our experience through our store design, messaging, and service.

“Most importantly, through it all we have stayed true to our values. I believe that is why we have been around for 113 years. We have known deeply who we are but have continued to evolve to meet our customers’ expectations.”

In July, Ben Bridge purchased Olympic Manufacturing, a local jewelry shop based in nearby Bellevue, Wash.

(Photo courtesy of Ben Bridge Jeweler)