This article contains content that is written like an advertisement .(March 2023) |
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Jewelers, Luxury goods |
Founded | New York 1986 |
Founder | Jacob Arabo |
Headquarters | , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Jacob Arabo Founder and Chairman |
Products | Jewelry, Watches |
Website | jacobandco |
Jacob & Co. is an American privately held jewelry and wristwatch retailer founded in 1986 by diamond designer Jacob Arabo. [1] Its flagship boutique and corporate headquarters are located in Manhattan, New York City. [2]
After graduating early from a jewelry design course in 1981 in New York City, Jacob Arabo opened a small booth in New York City's Diamond District, where he began designing for jewelry labels and private clients. [3] [4] In 1986, Arabo opened his own company, called "Diamond Quasar," and began designing under his own label, named "Jacob & Co." [3] [4] The brand quickly gained popularity in New York and was able to expand its business to the luxury watchmaking industry in 2002. [5]
In 1986, Jacob Arabo founded the retail jewelry company, Diamond Quasar, doing business under the Jacob & Co. name. [6] By the early 1990s, he had established his own kiosk in New York's Diamond District and his innovative jewels caught the attention of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G., who gave him the moniker "Jacob the Jeweler," and introduced him to his entertainment friends. [7]
The jeweler started collaborating with entertainers on custom designs. In the 1990s he was one of the first jewelers to create big diamond jewels for men, a trend that is mainstream today. [7]
Hip-Hop stars who were Arabo's clients included Sean "Puffy" Combs, Biz, Jay-Z, Drake, 50 Cent, and Big Sean. [6] His clientele expanded to various well-known entertainers and athletes, including Madonna, Rihanna, Pharrell, Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek, Sofia Vergara, Michael Jordan, and Mariah Carey. [8]
With his success in the jewelry business, Arabo turned to watches. In 2002, he created a quartz watch collection called the Five Time Zone that combined bold primary colors and with multiple time zone technology that attracted men and women. It was inspired by his clients' jet-setting lifestyle and became both a fashion statement and a usable timepiece for those who travel. Naomi Campbell, Bono, Angela Bassett and Derek Jeter were among international celebrities wearing the watch. [9]
In 2006, the Jacob & Co “The World is Yours” watch won the Travel + Leisure Design Award. [47]
Jacob & Co. is known for providing watches and other jewelry to hip-hop artists, National Basketball Association players, boxers, [48] and other celebrities. [49]
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