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Carolyn Rafaelian Joins Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women List
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YEREVAN, JUNE 6, ARMENPRESS. Forbes has included C. Rafaelian in the “Self-Made Richest Women” List.
Carolyn Rafaelianfounded fashion jewelry company Alex and Ani in 2004, taking over what had been her father’s Rhode Island jewelry factory to manufacture the new age, celestial-chic bangles that have become the brand’s staple.
To say growth has been explosive would be an understatement. In 2010, Alex and Ani — named after two of Rafaelian’s daughters — did an estimated $4.5 million in revenues. By 2015, sales had hit $500 million, catapulting the 49-year-old ontoForbes’ second annual list of America’s Richest Self-Made Womenthanks to her majority ownership.
Rafaelian joins the ranks at #22, with an estimated net worth of $700 million, making her thesecond richest newcomer to the list, afterGail Miller, billionaire owner of basketball’s Utah Jazz.
She’s the richest self-made woman in the nation to derive her wealth from jewelry, and joins an impressive group of fashion and retail moguls on Forbes’ ranking that includes Spanx founderSara Blakely, preppie-chic designerTory Burch, and bridal tycoon Vera Wang.
Rafaelian’s success can be partly attributed to her mastery of the supply chain. Alex and Ani’s pieces — like its bestselling $28 zodiac-themed charm bangles — are mainly made of recycled materials like scrap metal and vintage or surplus jewelry, keeping costs low and margins high. Everything is manufactured on-site at the company’s Cranston, R.I. base.
Alex and Ani now has 65 freestanding stores as well as concessions in hundreds of department stores and boutiques.
As her fortune has grown, Rafaelian has invested in her home state, buying (and renovating) 40,000-square foot Belcourt Castlenear Newport, R.I. and 163-acreSakonnet Vineyards.
The daughter of a jewelry factory owner, Carolyn Rafaelian started her New Age, celestial-chic bangle company, Alex and Ani -- named after two of her daughters -- in 2004. She remains its CEO and chief creative officer. To keep costs low, she uses mainly recycled materials, including scrap metals. Thanks to explosive growth, the company, known for its $28 zodiac-themed charm bracelets, now brings in an estimated $500 million in sales and has 65 stores.
