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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
‘Ocean Dream’ Makes Waves at Christie’s, Fetching $17MIt was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.
CrimeMay 14, 2026
Second Man Arrested in Florida Pawn Shop Shooting Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.
CrimeMay 13, 2026
JSA’s 2025 Crime Report Shows ‘Concerning’ Rise in ViolenceWhile the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.
