History and Heritage

Ben Bridge Jeweler - family-operated since 1912.

In 1912, we started with the simple premise that we could offer the finest in jewelry values with special attention to personal service. Today, we operate over 70 retail stores in 12 states including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Alaska, Minnesota and Hawaii.

Over ninety years ago, Samuel Silverman, fine guild watchmaker, opened a store in downtown Seattle. After marriage to Silverman's daughter Sally in 1922, Ben Bridge joined the firm as a partner. When his father-in-law moved to California in 1927, Ben purchased Sam's interest and renamed the store Ben Bridge Jeweler. Under the leadership of Ben's sons; Herb and Bob, the company opened a second store in the early fifties, and in 1968, Ben Bridge Jeweler expanded into Seattle's Southcenter Mall, opening the first of its mall stores. The late seventies and early eighties showed tremendous growth for the company.
Ben Bridge Jeweler, Downtown Seattle, 1960 Herb, Sally & Bob Bridge, 1961


The Washington market expanded to include nine stores, and in 1980 the company opened its first out-of-state store in Portland, Oregon. The 1982 calendar marked the entry of Ben Bridge Jeweler into the vast California market with the opening of the Hillsdale store in San Mateo. The remainder of the 80's and 90s reflected a steady, planned growth with an average of 3-4 stores per year opening in such diverse markets as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Honolulu, Anchorage, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Tucson, Spokane and Denver.

Today, the company is managed by Ben's own grandsons, Ed (President) and Jon (Vice Chairman and General Counsel) together with Co-Chairmen Herb and Bob Bridge (Ben's sons). They are assisted by a team of corporate officers including Orley Solomon, Doug Newton, Mary Todd-McGinnis, Cathy Hall, Peter Luplow, Steve Wilson, Jerry Gronfein, Steve Davolt, Shari Schindler and Bev Hori.

In May of 2000, Ben Bridge Jeweler merged with Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Ed Bridge stated "We're pleased to have the opportunity to become a part of what we believe to be the finest family of companies ever assembled under one corporate name. Warren Buffett, Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway has demonstrated a legendary record of protecting the unique characteristics of individual businesses in a diverse portfolio of companies. We're excited to be a part of it."

Ben Bridge Jeweler has an over 96 year tradition of commitment to our customers. That's why we have more Registered Jewelers and Certified Gemologists of the American Gem Society (AGS) than any other jeweler in the country.

We invite you to treat yourself to our outstanding collection of fine jewelry in platinum, 14 and 18 karat gold. 

Examine our fabulous selection of quality timepieces that includes some of the world's most recognizable brands of watches. 

And what better time than now to purchase that diamond of a lifetime... after all, Ben Bridge has experience being a personal jeweler for over four generations. 

Please stop by and see us soon or contact us online.

We look forward to assisting you with making your next special and important purchase of fine quality jewelry.