Jacob Arabo, widely known as “Jacob The Jeweler,” changed the trajectory of his love for jewelry into an internationally known luxury brand of jewelry, Jacob & Co. Arabo’s career emerges from very humble beginnings in Uzbekistan and is a tale of ambition, creativity, and resilience, with very hip-guy clientele. Currently, in 2025, his net worth competes at $50 million, thanks to decades of innovative ideas and strategic growth in the luxury market.
We will examine and assess the story and rise of Jacob Arabo from his beginnings to the building of Jacob & Co., his relationship with the hip-hop community, the introduction to luxurious watches, and all the revenue streams that made up his mammoth net worth. Beyond these topics, we will touch upon some other tastes of his: high-profile clientele, brushes with the law, philanthropic endeavors, purchases of real estate, his social media presence, and his ongoing legacy in the jewelry world.
So if you love the finer things in life or entrepreneurship success stories or just want to know who exactly is behind the bling, then this detailed article has something for everyone looking to gain insights into the breathtaking journey of Jacob Arabo.
Early Life and Immigration
Jacob Arabo, originally Yakov Arabov, was born on June 3, 1965, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He was the youngest of five children in a Bukharian Jewish family. When Jacob was 14 years old, his family immigrated to New York City and eventually settled in Forest Hills, Queens. Arabo became enthralled with timepieces after he received a world-time watch from his father.
By the age of 16, he dropped out of school to take a jewelry-making course, which he completed in four months. He worked at a regional jewelry factory making $125 a week, but at night started to design and make his jewelry. This combination of passion and hard work formed the basis for his future success in the luxury jewelry trade.
Founding Jacob & Co.
Jacob & Co. was founded by Jacob Arabo in 1986. It started with one brick-and-mortar store located in the famed Diamond District in New York City, where the early designs of Jacob were conceived. Aside from working in the traditional jewelry field, Arabo made his modifications to one-of-a-kind pieces.
Such a way of looking at finishing details can separate the piece from mass production and win a loyal following who truly appreciates the style.
Gradually, Arabo’s designs grew in favor of celebrities and trendsetters, catapulting the brand into the first glitter in the industry. Thus began the transition of Jacob & Co. into an American-based global luxury brand, renowned for its exceptional jewelry and watches.
Rise to Fame in Hip-Hop Culture
Jacob Arabo’s rise in the hip-hop world dates back to the late 1980s when rapper Biz Markie came to him to create a standout piece of diamond-encrusted four-finger ring with his name spelled out “Biz.” It became popularized by Markie, who made the boldest choice an artist could make for a ring and even featured it on the cover of his “Just a Friend” single, finally placing Arabo in the hip-hop world.
Once Arabo had made his initial strides into the hip-hop world, his designs quickly attracted the attention of other artists. The Notorious B.I.G. and others began to call him “Jacob the Jeweler.” This designation put Arabo in a greater network of entertainers. His custom-made pieces, often large, colorful, and sparkly, came to signify success in the hip-hop scene.
Jacob & Co.’s designs were more than just accessories; they were statuary symbols. Artists from Jay-Z to 50 Cent have specifically worn Arabo’s designs like badges of pride, even mentioning him in their lyrics. Arabo’s substance of infusing luxury with self-expression resonated deeply; it firmly established him the preferred jeweler of the hip-hop culture.
Expansion into Luxury Watches
Jacob Arabo began his foray into luxury watchmaking in 2002 with the Five Time Zone watch, a watch with a bold design that featured multiple time zones as well as various bright colors. The watch quickly attracted the attention of celebrities and fashionistas alike and established Jacob & Co as a legitimate stronghold in the watchmaking space.
Following this, Jacob Arabo released the Quentin in 2007, which featured a vertical tourbillon and a jaw-dropping 31-day power reserve, indicating the strength of the brand when it came to technical credibility. Shortly after, in 2014, Jacob and Co released the Astronomia Tourbillon, well-known for its exuberant complexity and visual brilliance that offered exciting opportunities for watch collectors in the higher complication segment of horology.
In turn, the company’s introductions into higher complication watches added variety to the company’s catalog, as well as positively affected its financial position. By 2020, the company’s watch sales represented roughly 75% of Jacob & Co’s overall revenue. All of these examples illustrate a successful amalgamation of horological innovation and luxury products by one brand.
Revenue Streams and Business Model
The following table outlines the primary revenue streams that contribute to Jacob & Co.’s thriving business model:
| Revenue Stream | Description |
| High-End Jewelry | Custom pieces featuring diamonds and precious stones, catering to elite clientele. |
| Luxury Watches | Innovative timepieces combining technical complexity with artistic design. |
| Celebrity Collaborations | Limited-edition collections co-designed with celebrities, enhancing brand visibility. |
| Real Estate Investments | Strategic property acquisitions contributing to personal wealth and brand prestige. |
| Brand Licensing | Partnerships allowing the brand to extend into new markets and product categories. |
Celebrity Clientele
Jacob Arabo, also known as “Jacob the Jeweler,” has embellished the wrists, necks, and more of some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports. His clientele is a who’s who across the globe in some of the most prestigious offices, and we are able to see what level Jacob puts himself at across luxury and exclusivity.
Big-name musicians such as Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Drake, Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams have all been photographed wearing Jacob & Co. for many years. Jay-Z’s very own Jacob & Co. Caviar Tourbillon World Timer watch went for $1.5 million at a charity auction. Drake was photographed wearing two Five Time Zone watches at the same time, which goes back to the idea of watching sales be incremental but still iconic.
Outside the music realm, Jacob & Co has captured the attention of athletes, particularly Cristiano Ronaldo, who worked with Jacob & Co on the “Flight of CR7” and “Heart of CR7” timepieces. Other notable clients include Madonna, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rihanna, David Beckham, and Floyd Mayweather, who holds the $18 million value timepiece, called “Billionaire.”
Legal Challenges and Comeback
In 2006, Arabo was caught up in a money-laundering scandal and was sentenced to prison. Despite this setback, he staged an incredible comeback, re-establishing the relevance of his brand in the luxury marketplace. His focus, hard work, and commitment to excellence were the foundations of Jacob & Co.’s success and proved the competitive vision and sturdiness of his leadership.
Real Estate Investments
Jacob Arabo has entered the world of luxury real estate, signifying his ongoing dedication to exclusivity and innovation. He has partnered with Ohana Development to develop the $1.3 billion Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living in Al Jurf, United Arab Emirates which will produce 457 residences (villas, penthouses, sky mansions) imbued with coastal elegance along with a seafront cigar lounge, residents’ club and other amenities.
He is also involved with the Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co. Residences in Dubai, which is a 104-story high-rise that will be the world’s tallest residential skyscraper upon completion. These luxury estates will combine luxury living with the stylish vision of Arabo’s brand, providing residents with unrivaled lifestyles and experiences in prime locations.
Conclusion
The story of Jacob Arabo’s transformation from an immigrant child to a leader in the luxury industry is one of vision, imagination, and persistence. By combining cultural inspirations, skills, and craftsmanship, Arabo built a brand of global recognition. As Jacob & Co. expands, Arabo’s place as an innovator within luxury jewelry and watches has been established.
For a different perspective on wealth in entertainment and the sports industry, we encourage you to read our articles on Cristiano Ronaldo net worth 2025 and jay z net worth 2025. These profiles chronicle the greatness of the financial success of two iconic figures in their professions and allow for comparisons to Arabo’s success.
