Events & AwardsOct 19, 2021
Meet the Diamonds Do Good Scholarship WinnersPolicies & IssuesOct 20, 2021
This Jewelry Auction Will Benefit the Navajo Nation
MJSA and Columbia Gem House are using their design competition to raise funds for the community, which was badly hit by COVID-19.
The jewels submitted to MJSA’s Responsible Design Challenge this year are also being auctioned off to raise money for Navajo Nation, which has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York—MJSA and colored stone supplier Columbia Gem House are partnering on a jewelry auction to benefit the Navajo Nation community.
Held from Nov. 1-7, the event will feature the custom jewels entered in this year’s MJSA Responsible Design Challenge, sponsored by Columbia Gem House.
Held every year, the challenge asks participating designers to create a piece of custom jewelry based on a hypothetical scenario that also features gemstones provided by Columbia Gem House.
The 2021 entries are open to online voting now through Oct. 31. The winner will be announced in the MJSA Journal in December and online.
The story presented to this year’s designers focused on a wedding gift for a Native American woman dedicated to issues affecting indigenous peoples around the world.
Related stories will be right here …
Held from Nov. 1-7, the event will feature the custom jewels entered in this year’s MJSA Responsible Design Challenge, sponsored by Columbia Gem House.
Held every year, the challenge asks participating designers to create a piece of custom jewelry based on a hypothetical scenario that also features gemstones provided by Columbia Gem House.
The 2021 entries are open to online voting now through Oct. 31. The winner will be announced in the MJSA Journal in December and online.
The story presented to this year’s designers focused on a wedding gift for a Native American woman dedicated to issues affecting indigenous peoples around the world.
The challenge also had a new component this year—instead of just submitting renderings of their pieces for the voting, the designers produced the pieces so they could then be in the auction.
The participating designers are: Jennifer Dewey of J Dewey Designs in Ridgway, Colorado; Betty Padilla of Santa Clara, New Mexico; Helen Chantler of Reflective Jewelry in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Dana Bronfman of New York City; Dominique Larson of DAL Art LLC in Chicago; and Donna Distefano Thomas of Donna Distefano Ltd. in New York City.
Columbia Gem House will preview the pieces along with designer insights on it its social media ahead of the event, as well as host Instagram Live events with some of the designers leading up to the auction.
The supplier first began sponsoring the MJSA Responsible Design Challenge in 2019, but this marks the first time the partnership has also included a benefit auction, designed to assist the Navajo Nation, which was hard hit by the pandemic.
The funds will give back to the community from which some of the design materials were sourced, a goal that’s at the core of CGH’s operations.
In May of 2020, the Navajo Nation had the highest per capita rate of positive COVID-19 cases in the country, and while those rates have gone down drastically since the roll-out of the vaccine, the community still struggles with a lack of resources to help it recover.
“After years of working together, I have become both personally and professionally invested in our Navajo Nation partners, and the community as a whole,” President Eric Braunwart said.
“When COVID-19 first hit, we wanted to support any way we could and were thrilled when MJSA was interested in extending the Responsible Design Competition into a fundraising auction for Navajo Nation. This is the first of many we see in the future.”
Donated materials included a small weight of silver and varying gemstones that were optional for the design, including anthill garnet from Navajo land, peridot from the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and turquoise from the surrounding region.
Pieces can be bid on beginning Nov. 1 on the Columbia Gem House website.
“When COVID-19 first hit, we wanted to support any way we could and were thrilled when MJSA was interested in extending the Responsible Design Competition into a fundraising auction for Navajo Nation. This is the first of many we see in the future.”
Donated materials included a small weight of silver and varying gemstones that were optional for the design, including anthill garnet from Navajo land, peridot from the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and turquoise from the surrounding region.
Pieces can be bid on beginning Nov. 1 on the Columbia Gem House website.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
SourcingDec 02, 2022
Alrosa CEO Sergey Ivanov to Step Down, Report SaysAccording to Russian news sources, the sanctioned head of the diamond company is leaving to take a job with an investment group.
SourcingDec 02, 2022
Lucapa Sells 170-Carat Pink Diamond Unearthed This SummerSaid to be the largest pink diamond found in hundreds of years, “The Lulo Rose” was sold for an undisclosed sum.
AuctionsDec 02, 2022
Here’s How 2 Royal Jewels Performed at Auction in DenmarkA princess’s tiara fell within its pre-sale estimate while an Art Deco bracelet from a queen doubled it.
Brought to you by
Knowledge and Skills for Today’s Hot TopicsFrom laboratory-grown diamonds to design to country-of-origin, GIA's Alumni Collective™ has a seminar to suite your needs.
CollectionsDec 02, 2022
Piece of the Week: Foundrae’s Chain A closer look at the bold links reveals a subtle, surprising detail.
Weekly QuizDec 01, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
Supplier BulletinDec 01, 2022
Take Your Jewelry Design Process Digital with the GIA Alumni Collective™Sponsored by GIA Alumni Collective™
WatchesDec 01, 2022
Rolex to Certify Pre-Owned WatchesRetailers within its official distribution network will be able to sell the authenticated timepieces.
Brought to you by
Diamond Shoppers’ 2022 Holiday Wish ListGive your customers the best diamond buying experience this holiday season.
CollectionsDec 01, 2022
Kendra Scott’s New Collection is for Barbie GirlsThe capsule collection combines the brand’s classic styles with Barbie’s signature pink color.
AuctionsDec 01, 2022
13-Carat Pink Diamond Withdrawn From Christie’s Auction The auction house is not offering any details on why the fancy vivid pink stone was pulled from its upcoming “Magnificent Jewels” sale.
SourcingDec 01, 2022
Nomad’s Is Selling Its Stones to Raise Money for Ukraine AgainIn the spirit of an advent calendar, “Gems to Help Ukraine” will sell a stone a day through Dec. 24 on the Nomad’s Instagram account.
GradingDec 01, 2022
PhotoScribe Granted Patent for Method that Verifies a Stone’s IdentificationThe secure mark combines an overt mark with a covert data set to provide assurance on a gem.
SurveysNov 30, 2022
5 Things Retailers Should Know About the Start to the Holiday SeasonPlus, what a potential rail strike would mean for retailers.
WatchesNov 30, 2022
Watchfinder & Co. Will Launch a Marketplace Next Year It will provide a place for select luxury watch retailers to sell their stock.
MajorsNov 30, 2022
Pomellato Buys Into Italian GoldsmithThe brand has purchased a minority stake in Costanzo & Rizzetto.
SourcingNov 30, 2022
Firestone Restarts Operations of Lesotho Diamond MineLiqhobong has been in a care-and-maintenance period since the start of the pandemic.
MajorsNov 29, 2022
LVMH Acquires Jewelry Manufacturer Pedemonte GroupThe strategic acquisition will bolster the luxury titan’s production capacity in its watch and jewelry division.
CollectionsNov 29, 2022
Alex and Ani Founder Carolyn Rafaelian Has Launched a Fine Jewelry LineThe new brand, Metal Alchemist, focuses on unisex, classic jewelry designs.
IndependentsNov 29, 2022
Reinhold Jewelers’ Holiday Book Is an Ode to an Important Beverage The 2022 edition of the retailer’s annual publication pays homage to the coffee farms and shops of Puerto Rico.
CollectionsNov 29, 2022
Gabriel & Co.’s ‘Fashion Book’ Is OutNot a catalog, the magazine is a tool for Gabriel & Co. retailers to connect with their customers.
MajorsNov 29, 2022
Claire’s to Open Shop-in-Shops in Select U.S. Macy’s Stores The partnership brings Claire’s jewelry and accessories to 20 Macy’s locations in time for the holiday season.
MajorsNov 28, 2022
Pomellato’s New Videos Raise Awareness of Violence Against WomenStarring CEO Sabina Belli and other celebrities, the videos emphasize the importance of supporting women who have experienced abuse.
IndependentsNov 28, 2022
Bert Kalisher, an Industry Veteran Who Loved Making Connections, Dies at 97 Kalisher started out manufacturing watch bands and later got into publishing, authoring two books and serving as publisher of Chronos.
Events & AwardsNov 28, 2022
Registration Is Open for AGA’s Annual Tucson Conference Scheduled for Feb. 1, the event will feature six gemological education presentations and three hands-on sessions.
MajorsNov 28, 2022
The Kingswood Co. Is One of U.S.’s Fastest-Growing Companies AgainThe jewelry cleaner manufacturer jumped up to No. 3066 on the Inc. 5000 list.
AuctionsNov 23, 2022
This Sapphire Tiara Once Owned by a Danish Princess Is Going to AuctionThe Dec. 1 jewelry sale at Bonhams-owned Bruun Rasmussen will have several other pieces of royal jewelry on the block.
FinancialsNov 23, 2022
Movado Lowers Guidance Amid ‘Uncertain’ Retail EnvironmentIts Q3 sales dipped as inflation took its toll on shoppers in the U.S. and Europe.
