Helene Fortunoff, who built a multimillion-dollar jewelry empire with outlets across the New York region and a flagship store on Fifth Avenue, died Nov. 8 in Miami Beach. She was 88.

Mrs. Fortunoff started her career in 1953 working at her husband Alan Fortunoff’s family business, which at the time was a small mom-and-pop enterprise selling housewares in Brooklyn. In 1957, she proposed adding a jewelry line, and she spearheaded the family’s entry into that sector. Fortunoff would become one of the largest retailers in the region. By 2003, it had six stores that specialized in fine jewelry, crystal and silver giftware.

Mrs. Fortunoff received numerous awards. She was the first recipient of the National Jeweler Award for retailing excellence. She was also the first female member of the United States Carat Club, a private group organized by De Beers. In 2006, she received the Jewelers of America Gem Award for lifetime achievement.