Policies & Issues

This Jewelry Auction Will Benefit the Navajo Nation

Policies & 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.

20211020-CGH-MJSA-auction.jpg
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 … 

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

The Latest

Paola De Luca at Vicenzaoro 2024
TrendsSep 18, 2024
When Selling Jewelry, Don’t Forget the Joy

Consumers today are looking for a little escape, and jewelry is the perfect avenue to provide it, presenters at the Vicenzaoro show said.

Cece Jewellery Extraordinary Lovers Campaign
CollectionsSep 18, 2024
Cece Jewellery Celebrates Love in New Collection

The “Extraordinary Lovers” collection features engagement rings with enamel scenes inspired by art and mythology.

Luminaries by Couture
Events & AwardsSep 18, 2024
Couture DAC Opens Applications for Next Class of Mentees

BIPOC designers can apply for a spot in the mentorship program’s third cohort until Oct. 8.

How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024 2.0 (1).jpg
Brought to you by
How to Increase Instagram Followers Naturally in 2024

Growing your Instagram following organically is more important than ever in today's technological environment.

Vhernier Calla necklace
MajorsSep 18, 2024
Richemont Shuffles Leadership at Vhernier

The luxury giant recently completed its acquisition of the Italian jewelry brand.

Weekly QuizSep 12, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Teresa Wergedal, Leah Walshak, and Amy Condor
Events & AwardsSep 18, 2024
JA Announces Three Bench Scholarship Winners

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship provides tuition help to aspiring bench jewelers.

Reese Witherspoon, Tyler James Williams, and Aja Naomi King at the 2024 Emmys
EditorsSep 17, 2024
8 Award-Winning Looks from the Emmys

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights the best jewelry looks from the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology Story

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.

20240917_GIA pearl header.jpg
GradingSep 17, 2024
GIA To Include Traceability Info on Some Cultured Pearl Reports

The lab will include reference numbers on reports for cultured pearls that contain bead nuclei embedded with an RFID tag.

National Jeweler columnist Lilian Raji
ColumnistsSep 17, 2024
The PR Adviser: The Case for Switching to Shopify

Lilian Raji offers advice to a reader frustrated with the current state of their company’s website.

Issa Rae Cast Jewelry collection
EditorsSep 17, 2024
Q&A: Issa Rae on Her New Jewelry Collection With Cast

The actress shared her inspiration for the collection, insight into her personal style, and which jewels President Barbie would wear.

1094 rough diamond from Karowe Mine in Botswana
SourcingSep 16, 2024
1,094-Carat Diamond Recovered in Botswana Just Weeks After Historic Find

The giant gem originated from Karowe, the same mine that yielded a 2,492-carat rough diamond in late August.

Stock image of a gavel
CrimeSep 16, 2024
New Jersey Jeweler Pleads Guilty To Evading Customs

Monishkumar Kirankumar Doshi Shah admitted to dodging customs duties on more than $13.5 million of jewelry imported into the U.S.

Boucheron’s Madison Avenue storefront and interior
MajorsSep 16, 2024
Boucheron Opens First US Store in New York City

The new boutique is located on Madison Avenue.

Gübelin lab Bangkok
GradingSep 16, 2024
Gübelin Opens Lab in Bangkok

The company’s fourth location worldwide will focus on its AI-powered gem document, the Gem Passport.

JA Multifaceted Learning Workshop
Events & AwardsSep 16, 2024
JA Takes Its Learning Workshops to Washington D.C., New York

Its next event will take place in D.C. on Sept. 17 and in New York City on Oct. 29.

Taylor Swift VMAs 2024
EditorsSep 13, 2024
Taylor Swift Brings Diamonds, Edgy Jewels to her VMAs Looks

The artist opted for big yellow diamond earrings, a vintage chain, and white metals at the annual MTV awards show.

Breitling NFL watches for AFC North Conference
WatchesSep 13, 2024
Breitling Inks Licensing Deal with the NFL

The Swiss watchmaker has created limited-edition timepieces for all 32 National Football League teams.

Cartier Black Alley Cat Brooch
AuctionsSep 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s ‘Black Alley Cat’ Brooch

This carved jasper and yellow-diamond-eyed cat brooch from 1962 is the perfect accessory for Friday the 13th.

Zales 100th anniversary marketing campaign
FinancialsSep 12, 2024
Signet Jewelers’ Q2 Sales Fall 8%

The jewelry giant said it expects to see an uptick in engagements in the second half of the year.

gia-supplierbulletin 0824.png
Supplier BulletinSep 12, 2024
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America

Mignon Faget’s Legacy Collection Campaign
CollectionsSep 12, 2024
Mignon Faget Enters a New Era With Its ‘Legacy’ Collection

The brand is celebrating its upcoming 55th anniversary with modern designs that pay tribute to its history.

Bruce Bridges AGTA
SourcingSep 12, 2024
AGTA Elects Bruce Bridges as President

He, and other newly elected board members, will begin their terms in February.

JCK Industry Fund logo
Events & AwardsSep 12, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2025 Grant Applications

Those interested can apply online now through Nov. 15.

Cartier Panthère watch
WatchesSep 11, 2024
These Are the Watches Women Want, Says Chrono24

Its “Her-ology” report highlights trends in the women’s luxury watch market, from top brands to movement preferences.

Marrow Fine x Adalina Martini and Tennis Necklace
IndependentsSep 11, 2024
Take a Sip of Marrow Fine x Adalina’s $13K Martini

The smoked heirloom tomato mezcal martini, only available at Adalina in Chicago, is served with a 9-carat diamond tennis necklace.

Lightbox loose lab-grown diamonds
Events & AwardsSep 11, 2024
Lab-Grown, Natural Diamonds to Be Focus of AGS Confluence

Scheduled for Sept. 25, the online-only event will be open to non-AGS members this year, for a fee.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy