Jacob the Jeweler Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Jacob the Jeweler Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Title: Jacob the Jeweler Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: February 5, 2025
 


 

What Is Jacob the Jeweler’s Net Worth?

Known as Jacob Arabo, Jacob the Jeweler is a Bukharian-American jeweler boasting a net worth of $50 million, accumulated as the founder and owner of Jacob & Co., a luxury watch and jewelry brand. His creations, particularly watches and accessories, have garnered fame among hip-hop artists, athletes, and numerous high-profile celebrities. Notable clients he has served include Floyd Mayweather, Sir Elton John, Bono, and David Beckham.

In 2006, Jacob received the Travel and Leisure Design Award for his Five Time Zone “The World is Yours” Timepiece. His moniker, “Jacob the Jeweler,” gained traction after his name was mentioned in rap songs by artists such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Big Sean, and Nas. He notably sold Floyd Mayweather a watch called “Billionaire” for $18 million, while a less ostentatious version, named “Millionaire,” retails for $6 million.

Regrettably, Jacob spent two and a half years in prison after he pled guilty to involvement in a money-laundering operation tied to the Detroit-based Black Mafia Family criminal organization. His charges included assisting the gang in laundering $270 million in drug profits and failing to report income to the IRS. He was fined $50,000 and ordered to forfeit $2 million in assets to the U.S. government, serving his prison sentence from 2008 until his release in April 2010.

Early Life

Born Yakov Arabov on December 26, 1965, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jacob the Jeweler was the youngest of five children and the sole son. From an early age, he demonstrated a natural talent for artistic endeavors and craftsmanship. His childhood curiosity about the intricate designs of jewelry pieces sparked a fascination that only grew. His passion for watches ignited when he turned 13 and received a world time watch as a gift from his father.

At the age of 14, Jacob, along with his family, moved from Uzbekistan to the United States.

Facing financial struggles, his family sought better prospects in the U.S., ultimately settling in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. Jacob attended Forest Hills High School, where his father worked multiple jobs but struggled to support the family. This led Jacob to enroll in a six-month jewelry-making course, which he completed in just four months, subsequently leaving high school. He began working at a local jewelry wholesale factory that produced market jewelry pieces. This role allowed him to polish his skills and gain a deeper understanding of jewelry craftsmanship. By 17, he was designing his pieces at night while working at the factory by day.

Jacob Arabo

Photo provided by Jacob Arabo

Career

Arabo’s natural talent and skill caught the attention of many as more individuals showed interest in the jewelry he crafted from his evening workshop. At that time, he primarily focused on gold jewelry. A pivotal moment in Arabo’s career was the establishment of his own jewelry brand, Jacob & Co., in 1986 when he was just 21. With a vision to create unique and extraordinary pieces, he quickly earned acclaim for his bold designs and exceptional craftsmanship.

His creations drew the attention of a celebrity clientele, with designs that embodied the spirit of extravagance. Notably, he found favor in the hip-hop and rap scene of New York, capturing the notice of artists such as Notorious B.I.G. It was Biggie who bestowed upon Arabo the nickname “Jacob the Jeweler,” and he further facilitated introductions to friends like Jay-Z, who also became a patron.

In the 1990s, Arabo expanded his work to include custom designs for entertainers. He became one of the pioneers in crafting large diamond jewelry pieces for men, a trend that persists in popularity today. Among his clientele during this era were Sean “Puffy” Combs, Biz Markie, 50 Cent, Big Sean, Madonna, Pharrell, Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, Sofia Vergara, Michael Jordan, Mariah Carey, and Canelo Álvarez.

In 2002, Arabo launched a quartz watch collection known as Five Time Zone. This collection boasted bold primary colors, incorporated multiple time zone technology, and was designed for both genders. Notable figures such as Naomi Campbell, Bono, Angela Bassett, and Derek Jeter were seen wearing these watches. The watches also offered extensive customization options, with some star clients, like Leonardo DiCaprio, requesting unique pieces.

In 2004, Arabo relocated from New York’s Diamond District to a flagship boutique situated at 57th and Park Avenue. Three years later, he established Jacob & Co. SA in Geneva, Switzerland, introducing his inaugural high-watchmaking timepiece, the Quenttin. This watch featured several remarkable luxury attributes, including being the first timepiece to incorporate a vertical tourbillon and a 31-day power reserve, which was the longest power reserve in the world at that time.

Arabo’s creation of the Epic SF24 in 2013 marked another milestone. This watch, featuring a two-time zone function, displayed the time in 24 different cities across the globe. Its design drew inspiration from the old split-flip boards seen at train and airport terminals in bygone days. Notably, this was the first instance of such a system being utilized in a mechanical watch. Additionally, the same year, the company unveiled the celestial-themed Astronomia Tourbillon at Baselworld 2013, a prominent annual convention for watch and jewelry. By 2016, 99 versions of the Astronomia Tourbillon had been created. In 2019, Jacob was chosen to design the crown for the Miss World American 2019 pageant, crafting a crown from 18k white gold embellished with 164 carats of Colombian emeralds and 95 carats of diamonds. He was also invited to serve as a judge for the event.

Personal Life

At 24, Arabo married Angela, who shares his Bukharian Jewish heritage. Together, they have three sons: David, Benjamin, and Joey. Benjamin currently collaborates with his father in the jewelry industry. The family resides in a brick Colonial house located in Forest Hills, Queens.

Over the years, Arabo has faced various legal challenges. In 2006, he was arrested on allegations that he and others were involved in laundering approximately $270 million in drug profits linked to the Black Mafia Family. Ultimately, the charges were dropped. However, by June 2008, Arabo confessed to a lesser accusation of falsifying records and providing false statements in a plea deal with federal prosecutors. As a result, he received a sentence of 2.5 years in federal prison, along with a $50,000 fine and an additional forfeiture of $2,000,000 to the US government. He completed his sentence and was released in April 2010.

Real Estate

In March 2016, Jacob and Angela acquired a 3,500-square-foot condominium in NYC for $16.68 million, located on Park Avenue.


Jacob the Jeweler Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Thank you for reading this article titled: Jacob the Jeweler Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Data is drawn from 2023 and 2024, with projected data extending to 2025 and 2026. We have also included expanded forecasts for 2027 and 2028.

 



* This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:

Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.

Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.

Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia (Hrvatska), Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic.

Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Metropolitan, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories.

Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy.

Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.

Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.

Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.

Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.

Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.

Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.

Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.


Post Title: Jacob the Jeweler Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Last Updated: February 5, 2025

Similar Posts