As the intensity of the N.B.A. finals and Stanley Cup finals grips sports enthusiasts across the globe, Jason Arasheben is immersed in research akin to a college student preparing for exams.
Arasheben, a renowned celebrity jeweler with a clientele that includes A-listers like Drake and ASAP Rocky, delves into the history of the contending teams, delving into the connections to their cities, and uncovering any fascinating facts that could inspire the creation of resplendent rings. He also taps into his network to secure meetings with the affluent owners of the victorious franchises.
“You just have to start connecting the dots,” remarked Arasheben, the CEO of Jason of Beverly Hills, which is nestled near Los Angeles. “Billionaires talk to other billionaires.”
In recent years, Arasheben has carved out a niche for himself as the go-to jeweler for championship rings, competing against stalwarts like Jostens. His innovative designs, featuring reversible faces and detachable compartments, have earned acclaim.
“He’s reimagined what the championship ring is all about,” lauded Eric Tosi, the CMO of the Vegas Golden Knights, the Stanley Cup champions from the previous year. “Every team that wins a title no matter the sport is going to get a ring,” Tosi continued. “But how can you stand out? How can you do something that’s never been done before? He’s done that.”
Arasheben leverages both word-of-mouth referrals and cold outreach to expand his client base, resulting in exponential growth in his reputation. Over the past five years, he has designed championship rings for nine professional teams, including the reigning champions in the N.B.A., M.L.B., and N.H.L.
Arasheben’s journey began at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he honed his craft in making and selling jewelry. His breakthrough came when he designed rings for the Los Angeles Lakers during their back-to-back N.B.A. triumphs with Kobe Bryant in 2009 and 2010. An introduction by a close acquaintance led him to Jesse Buss, a scion of Jerry Buss, the Lakers’ owner at the time.
Fast forward to today, Jason of Beverly Hills boasts over 100 employees, challenging established players like Tiffany & Company and Baron in the jewelry arena. However, in the nascent stages, the company only comprised about six employees with limited resources. Arasheben reminisces about sleeping in the factory and a nail-biting finish to the last ring before the 2009 unveiling ceremony. Since then, he has crafted championship rings for various teams, including the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Denver Nuggets.
Just before the Milwaukee Bucks clinched their victory in the N.B.A. finals in 2021, Arasheben was introduced to Alex Lasry by a mutual contact. However, it was Arasheben’s hands-on approach that won over the team’s president, Peter Feigin, as he displayed a keen interest in every aspect of the ring’s creation.
Collaborating with executives and players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, Arasheben’s innovative spirit shone through. His suggestion of a removable top that could double as a pendant reflected his penchant for pushing boundaries in design.
“Athletes are naturally competitive, but owners are also competitive,” Arasheben mused. “They want to outdo each previous ring, so the rings are getting bigger every year. I’m not sure how much larger they can get, otherwise they’ll be plates.”
The morning after the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl victory in 2022, Arasheben’s persistence paid off as he secured a partnership with Tony Pastoors, the team’s VP of football and business administration. Pastoors, already familiar with Arasheben’s work and his ties to star players like Jalen Ramsey and Odell Beckham Jr., was impressed by Arasheben’s pitch for a local collaboration.
The Rams ownership, particularly E. Stanley Kroenke and Josh Kroenke, favored a local jeweler, according to Pastoors. A showcase of his previous designs left the Rams’ executives spellbound.
“It was a very ‘wow’ moment,” recalled Pastoors. “As always with Jason, he found a way to bring some flash.”
Effortlessly integrating player feedback and insights from team executives, Arasheben wowed the Los Angeles Rams with his detachable top design, which allowed for more intricate detailing on the base. His bold approach and commitment to innovation resonated with the team, leaving a lasting impact.
