Inaugural ‘Gems Keep Giving’ Project Brings Clean Water to Kenyan School
The Kamtonga Primary School Potable Water Project will expand to the larger community in its second phase.

ICA launched Gems Keep Giving last year to aid and support colored stone mining and cutting communities around the world.
Key areas of concern are safety, human rights, fair work, inclusiveness, environmental impact, resource sustainability, and community amenities, the organization said.
ICA’s board of directors identified the Kamtonga Primary School Potable Water Project for its first project based on information that had been gathered by directors Miriam Kamau and Evan Caplan as well as reports from engineers and hydrologists.
With a population of about 3,000, the village of Kamtonga—located in Kenya’s Taita-Taveta district—is home to many miners, mine workers, and their families. The area produces tsavorite garnet, rhodolite garnet, tourmaline, ruby, sapphire, aquamarine, and other colored stones.
But Kamtonga is a dry area with no piped water. According to ICA, the village’s school and its 550 students, as well as the local community, depend on unprotected springs, shallow wells, and rainwater through roof harvest for domestic and livestock needs.
The school received two water tanks a few years ago, but those are only filled once a year, and the water in the tanks are generally depleted in a month.

This leaves the women and children in the village with the task of walking several kilometers every day or two to fill plastic jugs with water. But this isn’t even possible when there’s bad weather, which is when they would then try to collect the rainwater in pots and buckets.
Needing to help with these tasks often impacts the kids’ school attendance, ICA said.
But with the Gems Keep Giving project, their school is supplied with clean water for the students and teachers to drink and wash.
The second phase of the Kamtonga project will provide the piping of water to kiosks in the wider community.
Gems Keep Giving’s funds are generated from ICA member donations and an award from the JCK Industry Grant, but the team behind it said it welcomes donations from anyone.
One hundred percent of donated funds are spent directly on its projects.
Donations can be made to Gems Keep Giving at 132 West 31st Street, 9th floor, New York, NY 10001, or online at GemsKeepGiving.org.
The team also invites anyone with an idea for a future project to reach out.
The Latest

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.


Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.

The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.