Jacob Arabo is a Bukharian American jewelry designer and entrepreneur with a net worth of $50 million. He is the founder of Jacob &Co and has built an empire catering to celebrities, athletes, and high-net-worth individuals. Over the years, Arabo has accumulated wealth, established a legendary career, and maintained a private, happy family life.
Jacob Arabo Career and Business Ventures
Jacob Arabo started as a trainee in the Diamond District, polishing and repairing jewelry. Recognizing his talent, he opened a small workshop in 1986 and began crafting custom pieces for local jewelers. By the 1990s, Arabo gained recognition in the hip-hop community. Rappers like Notorious B.I.G. popularized his name in lyrics as Jacob the Jeweler. His jewelry aesthetic was bold designs and large diamonds. Arabo expanded into luxury watches in the early 2000s and launched Jacob & Co. His brand is known for extravagant designs, including the famous Five Time Zone watch and the Billionaire watch, priced at $18 million. Arabo has designed custom pieces for stars like Jay-Z, Diddy, Madonna, Floyd Mayweather, and Elton John.
Today, Jacob & Co. is a globally recognized luxury brand, with boutiques in New York, Dubai, Moscow, and Geneva. His watches are now displayed at prestigious events like Baselworld and are sought after by collectors worldwide. He has invested in real estate and owns high-value properties in New York and Miami. Arabo purchased a $4.72 million luxury apartment for one of his sons in Midtown Manhattan, a building with architecture by Jean Nouvel and interiors by Thierry Despont. He lives in his $16 million mansion in New York City with his family.
As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be between $50 million-$200 million. His wealth primarily comes from his jewelry business, Jacob & Co., which produces high-end watches, diamond-encrusted pieces, and bespoke creations for elite clients. Arabo has partnered with brands like Bugatti and Rolls-Royce for exclusive timepieces, contributing to his financial success. The brand, Jacob & Co., continues to push boundaries with avant-garde designs, ensuring its legacy as an influential jewelry brand of the 21st century, accumulating a net worth of $50 million.
Jacob Arabo’s Early Life and Beginnings
Jacob Arabo was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in 1965, into a Jewish family. At 14, he moved to Israel, where he learned jewelry craftsmanship, and in 1979, the family relocated to New York City. He was charged with involvement in money laundering with a Black Mafia Family criminal organization, and for not declaring his income to the IRS. He was jailed for two years and released in 2010 after paying a fine of $50,000 and forfeiting $2 million worth of assets to the government.
Despite his public life, he has kept his family life private. Arabo is married to Angela Arabo, with whom he has three children, David, Benjamin, and Joey. His son, Benjamin Arabo, has followed in his footsteps in the jewelry business, potentially being groomed to take over the brand. His journey from an immigrant to an iconic jeweler of the rich and famous has been about artistry, strategy, and reinvention.
