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
Events & AwardsDec 20, 2024
Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein InternshipJamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
IndependentsDec 19, 2024
Michigan’s DeVries Jewelers Unveils New Location in Time for the HolidaysCo-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
Brought to you by
Advocacy and Excellence: How Jewelers of America Is Committed to Elevating Our Industry For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
Events & AwardsDec 17, 2024
Chanel to Receive Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceThe luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionThe highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
SourcingDec 12, 2024
Grizzly Emerald Auction Garners $22.4MRecent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
MajorsDec 12, 2024
Mark Henry Appoints New Director of SalesCarrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
