Events & AwardsSep 16, 2021
Gem Legacy Is Having Another Benefit Auction to Celebrate 3 YearsPolicies & IssuesSep 30, 2021
Pure Earth’s 2021 Benefit Jewelry Auction Is Pure Gold
Dozens of designers and brands donated pieces to help raise funds for its work addressing mercury pollution.
Broadway dancer Brittany Conigatti wears a selection of jewels now available in Pure Earth’s Pure Gold benefit auction.
New York—Pure Earth has launched its annual Pure Gold benefit auction to raise funds for its programming.
The organization works to eliminate toxic pollution in low- and middle-income countries, in part through its global mercury program focusing on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities around the world.
It has trained more than 1,500 miners to go mercury-free so they can work safely, educated nearly 6,000 mining community members about the dangers of working with mercury and how they can protect themselves, and started the reforestation of more than eight hectares of rainforest polluted and stripped by gold mining activities in the Amazon, according to its website.
Pure Earth also connects the miners to jewelers who value mercury-free mining.
Dozens of designers and brands passionate about using responsibly sourced materials and Pure Earth’s work donated jewels to its Pure Gold auction this year, including Wwake, Bario Neal, Melissa Joy Manning, Toby Pomeroy, Tiffany, Delphine Leymarie, Hi June Parker, and many more.
There’s also a pendant from Dana Bronfman created with gold from Don Pedro, the first miner Pure Earth trained in the Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon, and cast in Lima, Peru by Peruvian jeweler Andrea Jose and Casa Collab.
Pure Earth enlisted actresses Kathrine Narducci and Gianna Palminteri, comedian Tara Cannistraci, and Broadway dancer Brittany Conigatti to showcase the auction collection in a photoshoot.
Proceeds from the auction will enable Pure Earth to continue working with the ASGM community to address mercury pollution, the organization said.
It is happening online now through Monday, Oct. 4, where it will culminate at the Pure Earth Benefit Bash at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.
The pieces will be featured in photos on screens at the event, as well as physically on display as they continue to be part of a silent auction component. The auction will conclude at the end of the event.
During the Benefit Bash, designer Bronfman will be given the Pure Gold Award, recognizing her commitment to responsible sourcing and to funding Pure Earth’s work in the Amazon rainforest.
A video telling the story of the piece she created for the auction, mentioned above, will be shown prior to Bronfman receiving her award.
The event will also feature actor/writer/producer Chazz Palminteri and performances by Broadway star Bobby Conte.
Tickets to attend in person or online are still available.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
